Girls soccer: Stevenson blanks Lake Forest
The bond for the Stevenson girls soccer has come a long way with the way the Patriots have played all season long
The Patriots have gone a great distance this spring and continue reaching new levels not seen in girls soccer at the school.
They matched the school record of victories in a season with yet another shutout win as Stevenson beat Lake Forest 2-0 in the North Suburban Conference finale for both teams on Monday night in Lincolnshire.
The Patriots had a 17-2 season 12 years ago in 2007. But they now are 17-1-2 and went unbeaten in the NSC at 7-0 while not allowing a goal in NSC games.
Notre Dame-bound Kalyssa "Kiki" VanZanten scored a goal while Abby Kalou had the other one and an assist. Florida Southern commit Jenny Staten earned her 15th clean sheet in goal.
"They did the work. They all decided that this was going to be their season," Stevenson coach PepeJon Chavez said. "They made a choice to commit with one another with love and that to me breaks all bonds. That's where the evidence is and where the rewards comes with all of their hard work. Their effort, their sacrifice, their toughness. It's a group of 'Warrior Princesses.' I use those words specifically, because they're changing Stevenson soccer. It's not a why to Stevenson soccer anymore, it's not a who is Stevenson soccer, it's what's now. What's the next step."
The numbers really aren't what is in it for what players and coach Chavez are after with this group at all.
"I don't pay attention to that stuff," Chavez said. "I pay attention to my kids and their hearts. They love each other and that's how we hit marks like that. Our specific goals are how are we going to work hard today? How do we love one another and how are we going to get better today? Every single thing there's one more thing, one more thing and one more thing that we can do to get better. They love it and who we are. Going 7-0 in this conference and no goals allowed, was it supposed to happen?"
On Monday, Stevenson found its opening goal in the 24th minute, VanZanten set up the play and sent it over to Kalou, who sent a near post opportunity off a Lake Forest defender into the back of the net.
Then VanZanten added an insurance goal in the 78th minute off an assist from Kalou.
"At the beginning of the season, we did a bunch of team bonding," Kalou said. "We really do love each other and do everything for each other. I just think it's trust and we worked a lot of technical stuff at the beginning of the season. Now we know if someone is on the left, go to the left, or if there's someone on the right, to go to the right. We have the trust in each for them to be there or work to get there."
Lake Forest (8-6-2, 3-2-1) had a few chances but saw Staten come up with a couple of outstanding stops.
"(Stevenson) was obviously the champs and played well," Lake Forest coach Ty Stuckslager said. "We had a couple chances in the first half and a head ball in the second half. Stevenson was fast all over the field. They were aggressive, they moved the ball well and they were disciplined."