In her first varsity high school soccer game against Loyola, sophomore London McCaffery got to do what many Trevian athletes could only dream of: scoring the game-winning goal. After over 60 minutes of play, the sophomore scored with only 11:43 left in the game. 

The New Trier High School girls soccer team beat Loyola Academy 2-0 on April 17 in pool play of the 7th Annual Lou Malnati Deep Dish Classic tournament. The Trevians are now 12-0-2, extending their so far undefeated season and working for a back to back state championship. While the score was 0-0 at halftime, sophomores McCaffery and Dami Balogun scored two goals at the end of the second half, leading the Trevians to victory. 

McCaffery’s goal came from a kick from Sophomore goalie Annie Fowler and was then headed by the Loyola center defender, allowing McCaffery to run the ball into the goal and break the scoring drought.

“I couldn’t believe it actually went in,” McCaffery said. “I was like, ‘Oh my God, no way.’ It was so exciting because I knew it was going to be a super close game and there were only a few minutes left.”

In the first half the team came out strong, won 50-50 balls, and dominated possession. According to junior Eleni Kanellos, in the huddle during halftime the team focused on playing with their feet more and calming down.

“We were coming off of a tie with Libertyville, so we just really wanted to focus on the little details like winning your balls,” Kanellos said.

When the team set up to begin the second half, Loyola came out with a new formation. The Trevians have been working on their communication, which helped them adjust to the new structure by moving some of their defenders into the midfield.

The second goal came with only 2:40 left in the game when Balogun got fouled in the corner, leading to a free kick. When the ball crossed the goal, a Loyola player deflected it, letting Balogun kick the ball into an open corner of the goal.

While the NT-Loyola rivalry adds a lot of nerves for senior captain Honor Dold, she believes these are the most fun and exciting games to play in. 

“Every year, no matter how good Loyola is or how good we are, the game is always a battle and we are definitely the stronger team: we are the more skilled team, with our players individually and the team as a whole,” Dold said. “In a game like that, it often comes down to who wants it more, who has more of an edge, who has the heart to win more than the other team.”

While the team will not face Loyola for the rest of the regular season, they may meet again in the regional round of playoffs. According to Dold, this was a great game to help prepare for future tournament play and coming playoff games. 

“Just knowing that we can come out and be the better team in the first half, and have a 0-0 result,” Dold said. “Then, being prepared to know that the goal is coming, and that what we are doing is right, we just have to keep playing the exact same way. That over time, the goals will come, and the finishes and results will follow.”

Following the victory over Loyola, the Trevs advanced to the finals against the Naperville North High School Huskies on April 19, winning in penalty kicks. Though the tournament is hosted by New Trier every year, this marks the first time a New Trier team has won the series.