McCaffery’s return ignites Trevians in dominant sectional victory

Just a month ago, London McCaffery feared her season was over.

During a practice, the New Trier sophomore dislocated her elbow in a fluke fall. An injury of that significance, at that point in the season, left McCaffery feeling uncertain about her prospects of returning to the pitch.

But on Tuesday McCaffery did more than make a comeback to the pitch; she played a leading role in the Trevians’ 4-0 sectional semifinal victory over the Maine South Hawks in Northfield.

“When I got hurt in the moment, when I was laying there, I was thinking my season could have just ended,” McCaffery said. “But I just had to trust myself and listen to what the doctors said. … I worked really hard on my physical therapy. I tried my best to get back and get back in shape and I just believed I could come back.”

McCaffery was one of three New Trier sophomores who found the back of the net against the Hawks. And her early second-half goal all but clinched a third straight trip to the sectional final for the Trevians.

“Any time a kid works as hard as she does and is able to get back and have an impact — people would claim I’m not the most emotional guy, but it brought a tear to my eye in terms of just seeing how much she’s wanted this since freshman year,” New Trier head coach Jim Burnside said. “Getting her back out there was a lift to the team and I thought she did a phenomenal job.

“That takes guts: to go out and step back into a sectional game, rather than a game that doesn’t mean a ton, so I’m very proud of her.”

New Trier delivered a dominant performance Tuesday night, outplaying the Hawks in every facet of the game.

The Trevians peppered Maine South right out of the gate with a flurry of scoring opportunities but could not find the opening salvo early on.

That moment for the Trevians did come about 18 minutes into the first half when a pair of New Trier sophomores connected.

Addy Randall delivered a ball toward the net that Claire Gallagher corralled and chested in to the goal to give the Trevians an early lead.

That score held until halftime, but New Trier quickly added to its lead in the second stanza.

McCaffery buried the Trevs’ second goal in the third minute when she finished off a ball played into the box by Beatrice Cirulis.

Just over two minutes later, junior Quinn Brahm headed into the net a pass from Dami Balogun for New Trier’s third goal of the match.

The Trevs added a fourth tally with just over 20 minutes to play when Ellie Shafer found the back of the net.

New Trier was superb all over the pitch but the Trevians’ defensive performance particularly stood out.

Maine South did not advance the ball into its third until after nearly 16 minutes of play. Scoring opportunities for the Hawks were few and far between and the Maine South attack generated few threats on goal.

“What I’m proud of is our defense’s communication,” Burnside said. “They really organized themselves well. All four of them across. And anybody that was in there, they were handing people off, they were switching marks, they were covering for each other. When you get that, and the players are organizing themselves, that just really saves having to scramble.”

Burnside also applauded New Trier’s overall effort throughout the match.

“They put in a great effort. They supported each other. They played hard. And four different people scoring goals, that just speaks volumes (about this group)”

The Trevs also noticeably beat the Hawks in many of the loose-ball battles, helping ensure they dominated possession throughout the match while keeping Maine South’s attack at bay.

“It was everybody tonight but leading the charge was Honor Dold, our senior four-year captain who was winning those balls in the midfield and it inspires people to do the same,” Burnside said. “Those 50-50 balls, we talk about them a lot. Tonight she led the charge on that and it elevates everyone else.”

New Trier is now headed back to the state’s final 16 once again. The Trevs will get a chance to avenge their only loss this season on Saturday when they take on Chicago’s Lane Tech College Prep High School at 11 a.m.

Lane defeated New Trier in penalty kicks earlier this month, snapping the Trevs’ 38-game win streak. But as the Trevs continue their quest to repeat as state champions, the mindset among the group will remain steady.

“The message is just keep grinding,” Burnside said. “The next game is the one that is most important. We don’t look ahead, we don’t look back. You just keep grinding forward and that’s what we’re here to do and that’s what they’ve done all season.”

The Record is a nonprofit, nonpartisan community newsroom that relies on reader support to fuel its independent local journalism.

Become a member of The Record to fund responsible news coverage for your community.

Already a member? You can make a tax-deductible donation at any time.