Loyola’s Ally West (No. 8) and Lauren Daffada (No. 4) go up against Evanston’s Hadley Bushala. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
Loyola Academy head girls soccer coach Craig Snower says that you pretty much have to “hold your breath” every time Evanston High School’s Maia Cella touches the ball.
The same could be said about Loyola forwards Maggie Brett and Stephanie Ramsay.
That duo proved to be extremely dangerous in a Class 3A sectional semifinal matchup at Glenbrook North on May 23.
Ramsay scored early and Brett scored late as the No. 3 Ramblers (18-6-0) defeated No. 2 Evanston 2-1 to advance to the sectional title game on May 26 at 6 p.m.
It was the 11th win in a row for LA, which avenged its loss to Evanston in last year’s sectional semifinal at Maine South.
“To beat a team like Evanston is pretty cool. Pretty unbelievable,” said Brett.
Cool? Unbelievable? That also describes Brett’s decisive goal with 5:27 left in regulation. The speedy sophomore weaved her way past a number of Evanston defenders down the right side and then drilled a shot past a diving Wildkits goalie in the left corner to break a 1-1 deadlock.
“Maggie just stayed with it,” said Snower. “She’s been an unbelievable scorer for us.”
The goal was Brett’s 23rd of the season.
“I caught their defenders cutting back,” Brett said. “I took a chance.
“I’m not, at times, all that skillful,” she added. “So I try to use my speed.”
Ramsay opened the game in dramatic fashion, when she showed off her strong right foot and blasted in a shot from 25 yards out from the left side 50 seconds into the game.
“We have two pretty special forwards,” said Snower. “Both have grown so much over the course of the season.”
The Ramblers, who lost 1-0 to Evanston (15-6-3) during the regular season, turned in another fine defensive effort. Junior goalkeeper Maggie Avery, flanked by defenders Bella Brocollo, Emily Chrisman, Lauren Daffada and Megan Kurtz, made a great save on a point-blank shot by Evanston’s Katarina Sehgal with 11:24 left in the first half.
And then, Avery added another outstanding save with 17:40 left in the second half to keep the score tied.
Evanston’s lone score came with 3:28 remaining in the first half. Seconds after Avery fell to ground while deflecting a bullet shot by Cella, teammate Hadley Bushala cleaned up the play with an easy rebound shot.
Containing Cella, who will play in the Big Ten for Wisconsin, was one of the keys to the game.
“She’s the best pure soccer player in the area,” said Snower. “You hold your breath every time she has the ball.”
Loyola will face New Trier in the sectional title game. The Trevians topped Glenbrook South in the other semifinal on May 23.
LA’s Maggie Brett dribbles the ball upfield. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
LA goalie Maggie Avery makes a save. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
LA’s Claire Kelly (No. 2) and Ally West (NO. 8) converge on Evanston’s Katarina Sehgal. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
LA’s Cate Shellenback (No. 10) fights for possession against Evanston’s Margaret Rogan. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
LA’s Anna Perona tracks the ball down against Evanston’s Meghan Ter Molen. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER
LA’s Stephanie Ramsey scored the game’s first goal. PHOTOGRAPHY BY GEORGE PFOERTNER