Patriots come up just short vs. New Trier

The color green was widely resplendent on St. Patrick's Day on Monday afternoon as Stevenson kicked off its girls soccer season in Winnetka.

The Patriots showed off their green jerseys, while host New Trier was clad in its home white uniforms and green shorts.

But Lady Luck turned out to be in the Trevians' corner, as New Trier edged the Patriots 1-0 under some tricky weather conditions that alternately consisted of snow, sleet and rain.

New Trier's Jane Voris scored the only goal in the 60th minute by taking an Aly Wray throw-in and directing the ball through the box and into the net.

"I'm thrilled to be outside and it was our first touches on the ground," said Patriots coach Mark Schartner. "I'm just glad to have the opportunity to play. It would've been great to do better."

The Patriots opened their season against one of the best teams in the state -- and Stevenson gave the Trevians all they could handle.

"It's now four years in a row that we lost to New Trier by a goal," Schartner said. "I thought our defense played pretty good against them."

The Patriots featured first-year goalkeeper Courtney Levy, who made 7 saves, plus first-year sweeper Laura Schroeder.

Other defenders included Shana Manning, Jessie Gilstrap, Stephanie DiZonno and Jenna Schiller.

"Compared to some other openers it's been worse," said New Trier coach Jim Burnside. "It was rough conditions, but it was better than rain and 45 degrees.

"Stevenson was a pretty good team and you can see what they can do. It really could've gone either way. But I'll take the goal. You have to get it on any chance you get."