Leigh Lifts Kits In Tourney Opener

Closing in on 60 goals already in her soccer career, Jocelyn Leigh has climbed to No. 2 on the Evanston girls soccer program’s all-time scoring list, behind only Hall of Famer Annette Kent.

But Leigh’s focus hasn’t just been on scoring this season and so far she hasn’t been able to find the back of the net much.

Leigh’s leadership of a young ETHS squad has played a significant role in an undefeated start to the season for the Wildkits, and she scored her second goal of the season Saturday in a 1-0 victory over Libertyville in the first round of group play in the Lou Malnati’s Deep Dish Classic tournament at Lazier Field.

The senior co-captain converted a pass from sophomore Bridget Durkin in the 24th minute for the only goal of the game as the Wildkits improved to 6-0 on the season. Group play continues next week against Naperville North (Monday) and Wheaton St. Francis (Wednesday), with the semifinals to follow on Thursday and the finals set for next Saturday at New Trier.

The Kits are seeking a second straight appearance in the tourney championship game after bowing to Lyons Township 4-1 in the finals last spring. They’re trying to get there again with a new and younger cast of players who will be severely tested in the upcoming week after outscoring their first five foes by a 28-1 margin.

Kent’s staggering total of 110 career goals is out of reach unless defenses start to ignore Leigh’s presence completely the rest of the season --- or unless she discovers a formula that makes her invisible. But the soft-spoken senior admitted Saturday that she’s used to scoring goals in bunches and some frustration was inevitable, despite the team’s overall success.

Her role as a co-captain, along with goalie Shea Lucas and midfielder Syd Ross, looms larger right now than how many goals she’s chalked up to date.

“I learned a lot from the seniors last year. They were great leaders ,” Leigh said. “There were so many different personalities, all different people, and they all made you feel so welcome and safe. That’s what I’m trying to do with the younger girls we have this year.

“Every year it seems like I got through a bit of a slump at the beginning of the season, and I’ve had some anxiety about making sure I’m giving 100 percent (along with her responsibilities as a captain). I’m starting on the outside (forward), not like in club where I play center forward, and that’s always an adjustment when I come back to the high school season.

“We talk a lot as a team about switching fields (with passes) to get the wingers the ball, and on the goal, I saw Bridget going to the net, so I cut back (toward the goal) like I normally do. I just went as hard as I can.”

Assistant coach Franz Calixte, who guided the team while head coach Stacy Salgado attended a family wedding Saturday, knows that Leigh’s personal goal total is taking a back seat to team success at this point early in the season.

“With that captain’s banner (armband), she has to be a more vocal leader. It’s not just do as I do like it’s been for Jocelyn before,” Calixte pointed out. “This is a brand new offensive team, except for Bridget and Syd, and it’s a different look this year.

“Jocelyn is such a good finisher and she always tries to pinpoint shots in the corner, tries to paint those corners. But sometimes that works against her. She’s so fast out there and so strong. When she plays in the middle she gets more touches, but really, she’s dangerous anywhere you put her. Once she squares up with the ball, there aren’t too many defenders in the state who can hang with her.”

Both squads started slow on offense and neither keeper registered a save in the first 20 minutes. But the Kits broke through on Durkin’s delivery to Leigh, who has led the team in scoring as a sophomore and as a junior after also recording 7 goals as a freshman.

Libertyville keeper Biranna Valdez finished with 9 saves.

“This was our first real challenge so far this year, and we were able to step up and get it done,” Leigh added. “We’ve got a lot of younger players who really bring a lot of energy every game. They go all out, and they’re always hungry.”