New Trier Girls Soccer shut out Niles North on Thursday, Mar. 21, winning 6-0.
This was the team’s first win within the Central Suburban League, pushing them forward for the rest of the season. Their record improved to a very solid 3-2.
Thursday’s game was fast pace with many shots taken. Ten minutes into the game, New Trier was up 2-0 with goals from junior Emma Weaver and senior Lilly Frentzel. Just a few minutes later, senior Julia Goldish scored the third goal on a 45-yard free kick. That put the girls up three to end the first half.
In the second half, senior Kate Sawdey scored a goal off of a corner kick assisted by Weaver and senior Lily Conley. Goals five and six were scored by junior Caroline Faurot and Weaver.
Varsity head coach Jim Burnside explained the season so far: “The start to the season has been great. The weather has been a little tough but that is normal for spring sports. We got outside twice before our first game so we were definitely a little rusty.”
Frentzel added, “We didn’t have the same group dynamic on the field after 12 seniors graduated but I felt that this has allowed for younger players to really make an impact on the team, especially those new to the team”
The season started with a game against Warren Township ending in a tie of 1-1, followed by another tie to Prospect with the same score. The girls then picked themselves up and won three games the following week. According to MaxPreps, the team is ranked 23 in the state after just five games.
It was clear to the team that going into the game there were places to grow. “In the previous games, the chemistry wasn’t immediate and I felt that people resorted to their old habits when they were unsure of what their teammates would do next. As time passed, things started to click,” said Frentzel.
This was the team’s third game this week. On Monday, the girls beat Glenbrook North 2-0. The following day, they defeated Libertyville in a close 2-1 game.
All this had left the team a little worn out.
“We were a little tired and beat up but we have a deep bench so we were ready. We came out strong and kept it going for 80 minutes,” said Burnside.
Sophomore Caroline Finnigan saw the tough week differently: “I feel like it [the prior games] helped us because we are more dialed in and get in game mode easier.”
This game allowed the girls to show their hard work: “I think our defense was significantly improved and our dominance of the air and 50-50 balls,” said Burnside.
Frentzel sees a clear path for the girls. She knows they are going to have a successful season: “It’s pretty early on in the season but as of right now I see our team moving on an uphill trajectory if we keep pushing each other like we do in practice there is no doubt in my mind that we will improve.”
This positivity was echoed by her younger teammates. “The rest of the season is going to be great we have such a great group of people and soccer players I’m really excited for what’s to come,” said Finnigan.
“Yes we may have been tired. Yes we may have been sore. But when you need to be locked in for your team that all goes away,” said Frentzel.