Words just can't describe Traven's heroics in nets
Words sometimes fail even wordsmiths.
Did Vicki Traven put on the clichéd goalkeeping clinic in Monday's St. Charles North-Waubonsie Valley supersectional match at Benedictine University?
No.
What Traven put on was more like an honors level college seminar. She dove left and right, deflected shots that seemed headed to upper corners, punched the ball when she had to and made key breakaway save early in the match to get the whole thing started.
Yet when it was over and Traven's net was finally breached by Vanessa DiBernardo's overtime winner, the initial reaction was one of anger. An angry shout, thrown gloves and a kicked bench displayed not a pouting athlete but one who had done literally everything possible -- and found it still wasn't enough.
"It's obviously difficult to suffer a loss like that," Traven said. "It was a great match. It was 0-0. We went through 80 minutes of tough soccer and then we go into the last minute of our first overtime."
In the eyes of those watching, the final play will always elicit partisan emotions. Bri Rodriguez sent a pass over the St. Charles North defense to an onrushing DiBernardo, who chipped Traven.
Was DiBernardo onside? The assistant referee ruled she was, and that's all that really matters.
"I felt like she was offside," Traven said. "But our coaches tell us to continue playing. I came out as much as I could, but I couldn't get that one more save. Whether it's offside of not, at the end of the day, it's still a goal."
Waubonsie Valley is one of the best girls soccer teams in state history, on a two-year undefeated run. The Warriors presented considerable challenges to the North Stars, who shadowed Rodriguez and DiBernardo as well as Rachel Bostick throughout the game.
"I feel like we did everything we could," St. Charles North defender Hayley Nothnagel said. "All of us were going 110 percent. We all gave it everything. It was just unlucky."
St. Charles North dominated the opening 10 minutes of the match, then defending state champion Waubonsie Valley took control and never relinquished it for more than brief moments in the match.
The North Stars defense bore the onslaught. The bulk of the Warriors chances were long-range efforts and the majority were dealt with by the St. Charles North defense.
"We always have to be switched on, no matter who the team is," Nothnagel said. "We always have to be concentrated and our concentration was high the whole time."
When the defense gave an opportunity, Traven stood considerably taller than the 5-foot-7 she is listed as standing in the team's roster.
"Our defense played great -- player 1 through 11 on the field," Traven said. "It just wasn't our day today. For the seniors, we'll move to college. For the underclassmen, hopefully they'll have a feel for what it's like and strive to get farther next year."
If Waubonsie Valley's accomplishments and pedigree are undiminished by their victory, so are St. Charles North's. The North Stars emerged from a brutal Wheaton North Sectional to find the path just got tougher.
"What we said at the end was that as much as it stinks to lose, they're Waubonsie Valley and they're probably going to go and win the state championship again," St. Charles North midfielder Caitlin Winkelman said. "It we have to lose, it's good to say we lost to them. We had a great season. I just wish it wasn't ending like this."
Winkelman was right on both counts. It was a great season, and it is a shame the season ends where it does. Lesser teams will participate in the Elite Eight this weekend at North Central College.