Trevians too Tough

Rivalry games often get overhyped and disappoint when the game is a blowout or one side simply doesn't have the fire to win.

Wednesday night's game between next-door-neighbors Loyola Academy and New Trier did NOT disappoint.

Loyola came out with attitude and energy and New Trier responded in kind. As the Ramblers moved the ball, players were moving at a full sprint. More than a few collisions resulted when a flash of white and a blue blur went for the same ball with a "that's mine" attitude, and more than twenty-five minutes of the first half action was a dizzying back and forth battle. New Trier wracked up more shots, but Loyola keeper Chloe Zipprich always seemed to be in the right place.

The second half started with both teams playing a bit more cautiously and patient. The purposeful pace added to the tension on the field. Both teams wanted this game, and any misstep could be the difference between winning and losing. By the twenty minute mark, both rivals had increased the speed of their runs looking for an opening that would result in the game's first goal.

Loyola looked strong. They earned a couple of corner kicks, but Annie Fowler snuffed out any glimmer of a scoring opportunity.

With less than twelve minutes on the clock and the Trevians really pressing the pace, Fowler sent a punt into the midfield. After the ball was headed back and forth a couple of times, London McCaffery latched onto the ball and headed toward the goal. From outside the eighteen, she placed a powerful left-footed shot out of the reach of Loyola's keeper.

Down, the Ramblers pushed up trying to get the equalizer, only to have the Trevians find openings for fast transitions.

The Trevians earned a couple of corners and then a foul resulted in another scoring chance. With less than three minutes to play, Addy Randall sent a ball into the six that bounced off a Rambler defender, and Dami Balogun volleyed the bouncing ball into the side netting for the final score of 2-0.