New Trier’s soccer program has always been renowned for its emphasis on set pieces, or restarts.
The Trevians converted a pair of numerous opportunities in that scenario to hand Evanston’s girls soccer team its first loss of the season Saturday afternoon in Northfield.
New Trier struck for a pair of goals in the first 20 minutes, headers by Basie Shannon and Josie Noble, and scored a 2-0 triumph over the Wildkits in Central Suburban League South division play.
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It’s the first time all year that the Kits, now 10-1-1 overall and 1-1 in conference action, have given up more than a single goal in a game. New Trier moved to 11-2-3 and 1-0-2 in the CSL South.
Evanston got plenty of practice in dead ball situations Saturday. Maybe that’s what the Kits needed if there is a rematch between the two rivals in the postseason.
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“We know that they emphasize those set pieces, and we know the importance of them. Set pieces can win you a game,” said Evanston head coach Stacy Salgado. “That’s one of New Trier’s strengths.
“I just don’t think we played the way we’re capable of playing today. New Trier won the ball in the air and we couldn’t control the midfield, either. They came out with a good game plan and clearly, it worked.
“Overall, we did play better in the second half, but we didn’t create any scoring chances near what we’re capable of creating. We have a lot to work on.”
New Trier’s high pressure approach paid off with an early corner kick opportunity and Shannon found the back of the net against ETHS goalie Shea Lucas in the 5th minute.
Fifteen minutes later, as the Wildkits struggled to get the ball out of their own ended, a restart that began with a boot by New Trier’s Annie Paden near the corner flag resulted in the second Trevian goal.
Evanston’s forwards rarely got any touches in the first half and New Trier’s freshman keeper, Annie Fowler, required just three saves to post a clean sheet. The Wildkits did put together a brief offensive flurry midway through the first half, with Jocelyn Leigh’s creativity leading to consecutive corner kicks from Alexandra Merriam.
But the visitors didn’t put a shot on goal during that thrust. Shots by Sydney Ross (with 14 minutes left) and Leigh (in the final minute) missed the mark for ETHS.
