Girls soccer: Burke keys Naperville Central’s win over rival

Last year it was Ohio State’s Callie Tumilty’s turn to lead Naperville Central.

This season, it’s Michigan-bound Emerson’s Burke’s turn.

And once again Burke was turning heads on Thursday night, scoring twice and delivering an assist, establishing a new school record for points in a season along the way in a 3-0 win over visiting Naperville North in DuPage Valley Conference action.

"It’s awesome to see a kid keep growing every year that they’re in the program and Emerson has gotten better every single year,” Redhawks coach Troy Adams said. “She’s put in a lot of time and a lot of dedication. I’ll be driving by Knoch Park and I’ve seen her out there before school and on Saturdays and Sundays just working on becoming a better player.”

Burke wasted little time putting the Redhawks (14-0-1, 4-0) ahead, scoring with 37:28 still remaining in the opening half.

“I got the ball played through and took a touch with my left and it got blocked,” Burke said. “And it kind of bounced and I hit it one time with my right foot and it slotted in near post.”

Burke, who served the Redhawks in a defensive role at outside back last season, now has the single-season records for goals (27) and points (65).

“I think I learned a lot playing outside back last year and I play where the coach tells me,” Burke said. “He believes in my abilities and I think that’s super important, him trusting me to play forward, to play in back. And my teammates trust me. I feel like I can adapt to the role and I do play forward for club so it’s fun, a lot of fun.”

Naperville North (10-4-1, 3-1) didn’t have an answer for Burke.

“She’s an incredible player,” Huskies coach Steve Goletz said. “She’s been an incredible player for her entire time here. She’s a great kid, I think the thing that impresses me most is how she plays the game. Obviously she’s dynamic and can score goals in a bunch of ways. She plays hard, goes in on challenges, fights for 50/50 balls and is constantly looking for the ball, serves great restarts and is an amazing asset to have. They’re lucky to have her.”

Huskies senior goalkeeper Olivia Ochsner made 12 saves.

“Olivia was fantastic,” Goletz said. “Not many times are you complimented when you allow three goals, and they weren’t on her and she knows that. I was really proud of how she played. We came up short, but I like how we played in the second half. We needed to be better in the first half.”

Sophomore Natalie Liesch was the beneficiary of a Burke assist with 5:57 remaining for the lone goal of the second half.