By Bobby Narang –
The Naperville North High School girls soccer team was hoping for a little déjà vu at the Naperville Invitational Saturday.
At least for New Trier.
Despite all their success in recent years, six State championships since 2003, the New Trier Trevians had not won the prestigious Naperville Invitational championship since 2010.
The Trevians suffered a 1-0 loss in a penalty kick shootout to Barrington last season in the Class 3A State championship game held at Naperville Central High School and ended the Trevians’ streak of three straight State championships.
The Trevians, ranked among the best teams in the Midwest, defeated Naperville Central Thursday, April 26, beat Neuqua Valley in a penalty-kick shootout in Friday’s semifinal and were looking to complete a sweep of the Naperville-based schools Saturday.
Although Naperville North played a near flawless game, New Trier senior Nicole Kaspi scored a memorable goal midway through the first half to spark the Trevians to a 1-0 victory in the championship game played at Naperville Central. The Huskies fell to 11-3-3 on the season.
Naperville North goalie Maddie Hausman gave credit to Kaspi for her left-footed goal that alluded her arm.
“You have to give (Kaspi) some props for it was a beautiful goal,” she said. “I had a reaction that I couldn’t get. I think it skimmed underneath my forearm a bit.”
Naperville North defeated Barrington in the semifinals, and other than a small lapse in concentration, the Huskies were primed for another big upset victory.
“When you are playing the best teams in the state of Illinois, you’ve got to be perfect,” Naperville North head coach Steve Goletz said. “We weren’t perfect for 30 seconds and the credit goes to the girls on New Trier.
“We took a huge step forward. Now the challenge is if we can keep that going until the end of the year.”
Class 3A and 2A regional tournament play will begin May 11. Class 1A will begin Friday.
