New Trier outlasts Villa Duchesne in battle of state champions at Gateway Classic

ByBenedict Vessa

Sep 7, 2023

MARYLAND HEIGHTS – Momentum.  

That was the word used by both New Trier sophomore Lilly Cimaroli and senior Izzy Morgan to describe the key to generating scoring chances against a Villa Duchesne defense that had not yielded a goal through its first two games this season.

“When we would get a quick breakout, we were really trying to build a lot of momentum up the field and get off quick shots,” Cimaroli said.

Cimaroli and Morgan each scored in transition and the New Trier defense kept the high-powered Saints off the scoreboard as New Trier defeated Villa Duchesne 3-0 in the opening game of the 25th Gateway Classic field hockey tournament at SportPort International.

Much like NASCAR, which opens its season with the Daytona 500, the Gateway Classic began the three-day tournament with a battle between Villa Duchesne (MO) and New Trier (IL), two defending state champions and two programs that had combined to win 30 state titles.  

Villa Duchesne (2-1), which defeated New Trier and claimed the Pool A trophy last season, began the game with their signature pressure defense and almost found their signature early goal, when freshman Trudy Redmond clinked the goal post off a pass from junior Katie Crump.

The Saints earned four corners in the first quarter, but senior Ella Anthon and sophomore Izzy Miller saw their tip attempts sail inches wide, and the game remained scoreless.

New Trier (3-0) displayed its ability to build momentum early in the second quarter when Trevians’ senior Lucy Smith located a speedy Cimaroni in the center of the field. Cimaroni dribbled around, over and through the sticks of several Villa Duchesne defenders before reaching the circle.

“I was able to step in front and get off a quick shot at the top (of the circle),” Cimaroni said.  

Her blast entered the top right corner of the cage and gave New Trier the lead 1 minute 40 seconds into the second quarter.

New Trier also led 1-0 at halftime in the high-powered showdown last season, but Villa Duchesne rallied to score three consecutive goals and held on to win 3-2.

Morgan and Cimaroni ensured there would be no letdown in the rematch.

Early in the third quarter, Morgan maneuvered past a defender and found a sprinting Makenzie Gable to earn a corner that Morgan nearly coverted into a goal on a nifty reverse shot. Moments later, Cimaroni fired a long pass from the defensive zone that sent Smith streaking goalward, but her shot scuttled inches wide.

Morgan dribbled into the clear to begin the fourth quarter, and despite her shot attempt drifting wide, the Trevians had firmly established their ability to enter scoring areas with momentum and confidence. 

“We were able to break into the circle with a lot of pressure and a lot of strength,” Morgan said. “We’ve been working on using both sides of the field and we really utilized that today.”

Moments later, senior Maxine Hester delivered a shot from inside the circle that ricocheted to senior Riley Zenkewicz, who tucked it into the vacant cage for a 2-0 lead.

Like they did after yielding the first goal, Villa Duchesne rallied with scoring chances of their own.

Crump sent two dangerous passes through the circle that barely eluded a finishing touch, including one that missed the fully-extended stick of sophomore McKenzie Durbin at the far post.

But three minutes after the second goal, Morgan put the game out of reach, accepting a pass from Hekster and punching a reverse shot into the top corner of the cage. The fourth glorious scoring opportunity of the game for Morgan produced a well-deserved reward.

“Maxine threw me the pass in the middle. I had the goalie in front of me and I thought, ‘Keep composed,’” Morgan said. “I kept my stick moving, pulled her out (of the goal) and slipped it in.”

For a young Villa Duchesne team with only three returning starters, the early test from a powerhouse opponent yielded its share of correct answers.

“I was proud of the girls. We had some good moments and then we had some youthful moments,” Villa Duchesne coach Kate Graft said. “We just have to continue to work on the basics, like finishing and receiving.”

And for New Trier, defeating Villa Duchesne required a high level of execution and the reaching of another gear.

“We love playing Villa. They always challenge us,” New Trier coach Stephanie Nykasa said.

Note: The Gateway Classic, which continues through Sunday, involves 80 teams divided into pools A through Q based on skill level with each pool winner receiving a trophy. It is the largest high school-only field hockey tournament in the country. 

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