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St. Ignatius entered this week with a record of 16-1-1, its lone loss coming to St. Charles North 1-0 in the Sweet 16 play of the Pepsi Showdown. Despite the outstanding record, the jury is still out on the Wolfpack...and here's why:
Can St. Ignatius win the big game? That's the question that will be answered in a few weeks when it battles New Trier in the Class AA New Trier Supersectional on May 26 at 7 p.m.
With Nicole Denenberg, who earned Pepsi Showdown All-Tournament and GCAC Red Player of the Year honors, leading the way, things look good for St. Ignatius to make that next step in Class AA. The Wolfpack advanced to the Class A state finals in 2005 and has lost in the Class AA supers each of the past two years.
Denenberg has 15 goals and 11 assists this spring. According to coach Aaron Carpenter , she will more than likely break the most assists in a career this year and should break most goals in a career next year. "Nicole has a competitive spirit that has enabled her to go from being a great athlete to a great soccer player," Carpenter said.
Jayne Eslinger, a junior defender, has been a pivotal part of the Wolfpack defense which allows only three shots a game on average. She has five goals and nine assists. "Jayne has the tools to technically and tactically defend at an elite level," Carpenter said. "She has a firecracker strike, and she consistently threads the needle to her targets."
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Comments
Joe,
Making the assumption that New Trier will make it to their own SuperSectional... they have to get by an impressive Glenbrook South team that has tied Maine South (in your top 10) and lost only 1-0 to NT earlier this season...
TROST RESPONDS: Some people put their name out there and make predictions. Glenbrook South is a fine team, too.
Posted by: HS Soccer Fan | April 30, 2008 3:25 PM
Joe,
For the Wolfpack, the road to Naperville runs through Winnetka, where they lost to the Trevians in the 2007 SS, 1-0. St.Ignatius has a far more potent and balanced offense this season ( 75 GF through 19 games )combined with a stingy defense ( 6 GA through 19 games ). New Trier, who plays a really tough tournament schedule, is also stronger this season after what was considered a "down" year in 2007 ( they still made it to Elite 8 ). IF all goes well for St. Ignatius - their path has been somewhat cleared by Payton's apparent dodge, and they are on the field for a Memorial Day evening tilt, it will be their best opportunity to take that next step. However, I will speculate that the match will feature Evanston or GBS rather than New Trier. I realize NT already beat the Wildkits this season, but since then Evanston has won versus St. Charles North and Maine South, so lightning may strike a third time. GBS can get after it with the best of them and like Evanston, will be getting a second crack at the Trevs.
Here we go!
Posted by: IggyPop | May 2, 2008 2:48 PM