OPRF puts the ball away to end New Trier soccer’s season

Only three days prior to their regional final match, New Trier boys soccer got a firsthand feel of the challenges that come with conceding an early goal in postseason play.

Yet, behind a spirited effort, the Trevians on Wednesday, Oct. 22, found the resolve to pull off a thrilling, come-from-behind victory over Notre Dame Prep. But on Saturday, Oct. 25, one stage later in their playoff journey, New Trier experienced the harsh aftermath of falling behind.

The Oak Park-River Forest Huskies jumped out to an early advantage over the Trevians after a perfectly executed set piece in the 14th minute. New Trier could not pull the match level from there, as the Huskies found the back of the net three more times in the second half to claim the regional title over the Trevians 4-1 on Oct. 25 at DePaul College Prep.

“In playoff games, the first goal changes a lot,” New Trier head coach Matt Ravenscraft said. “On Wednesday against Notre Dame, they got the first and it made it really difficult for us. We were able to get back in the game, equalize and get the late winner in double overtime.

“But in high school boys soccer, particularly in the state tournament, that first goal is so critical, so to concede the first goal again tonight, it was going to be an uphill battle after that.”

OPRF heavily controlled possession in the opening minutes, but neither side put forth a true threat on goal until Huskies’ senior Evan Max delivered a 30-plus-yard pass to Liam Moder, who struck the ball midair and into the top corner of the net.

New Trier responded with a flurry of offensive chances after allowing the goal. Junior Aman Alakhramsing worked his way past the Huskies’ midfield to put a dangerous ball in the box that just missed the finishing touch.

Minutes later, junior Tristan McGrath put a strong header on the net that was saved by OPRF’s keeper. Captain Calyx Hoover, the Trevs senior attacker, found a small opening with 10 minutes to play in the half but his shot slid just wide of the net.

New Trier continued its pressure right out of the gate in the second half, putting forward a couple more strong scoring chances. But the Huskies quickly transitioned into their counterattack after the Trevs put the ball on the net.

The result of OPRF’s rush ended with a penalty kick awarded to the Huskies in the 47th minute. Adrian Bondartsov took advantage of the opportunity, moving OPRF’s lead to two goals.

The Huskies’ unrelenting attack then struck again only moments later. Cole Grining finished off a ball played into the box in the 48th minute to give OPRF a commanding 3-0 margin over the Trevs.

New Trier refused to give in, though. Jakob Richter fired a strong shot on net that was saved by the Huskies’ keeper in the 52nd minute. Richter then nearly snuck a header into the bottom corner two minutes later, but the shot hit the goal post.

“We generated chances in both halves,” Ravenscraft said. “We were able to put some shots on frame, we were able to get some crosses off and across the face of the goal … but it’s a real challenge against a team of that quality.

“We knew that there were a variety of ways that they could beat us and we were going to have to be excellent in defending free kicks and excellent in our transition and excellent in our defensive shape, which we did so well, and I’m so proud of how we started that game.”

OPRF found its fourth goal with just under 19 minutes to play when an unmarked runner, Peter Bondartsov, finished off a pass from Kingston Petersen.

New Trier’s Aidan McConnell drew a penalty shot in the 73rd minute, and Richter took the freebie and drilled home the Trevs’ lone goal.

While three goals separated the two sides, New Trier had just one fewer shot on goal than the Huskies. But OPRF’s efficiency in finishing its chances and its play inside the box proved to be two key differentiators.

“We needed to be excellent in all phases of the game over 80 minutes and we were nearly there,” Ravenscraft said. “I don’t think that the scoreline necessarily reflects what truly separated the teams in terms of quality, but they definitely won the box over the 80 minutes and you have to give them credit.”

The Trevians finished the year with an 11-6-2 overall mark but New Trier found its top form late in the season, winning five consecutive games prior to the regional-final loss.

New Trier will say goodbye to 13 seniors, six of whom started Saturday’s game. Ravenscraft described the team’s seniors as a group that “truly supported one another.”

“There was a clear friendship among that group of seniors and that just percolated through the team,” he said, later adding, “They were just a great group to coach.”

All of the Trevians’ departing seniors were a part of New Trier soccer for all four of their high school years, Ravenscraft said.

“They had different pathways to the varsity team, but they have represented this program incredibly well and with class and with quality and I’m just extremely proud of them,” he said.

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