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Girls soccer: Stevenson plays New Trier tough before falling

Stevenson's girls soccer team doesn't back down to its competition and the Patriots had to deal with one of the state's best teams on Saturday when they took on New Trier.

The Patriots played toe-to-toe with the Trevians as their defense did a commendable job on the back line.

However, New Trier scored twice off corner kicks and shut out Stevenson 2-0 in a nonconference match in Lincolnshire.

"If you give New Trier any momentum they will take it," Stevenson coach PepeJon Chavez said. "We might have created a rivalry that might have been unnecessary from us to them, trying to establish ourselves in a game that we wanted to establish ourselves as the better soccer team. Yet (New Trier coach Jim Burnside has) a history of culturing woman that push so strong. That put us our heels on the set pieces and they took advantage as they should."

Stevenson (6-2-1) had some good preparation and knew what to expect from New Trier (8-1-3).

"We prepared on the fact that they are excellent on their set pieces," Chavez said. "We spent a lot of time on it. Even though you prepare, sometimes it doesn't go your way. I respect (New Trier) and I respect their team. I hope we earned the respect that we deserve. That was a great result."

New Trier scored its opening goal in the 35th minute when Morgan Fagen sent a corner that hit the ground near the back post. Caroline Finnigan finished it for a 1-0 lead,

Then, Finnigan added the other goal off a corner that deflected off a Patriots defender in the 78th minute.

"They were scrappy goals. You put a foot on the end of it and do what you need to do," Burnside said. "(Stevenson) was organized and they knew what they were doing. When they get you in the offensive third, it was hard to get them out. They were all over the ball and our backs were trying to clear the ball out. They were also mopping up the second ball. That was a credit to an athletic team."

New Trier has now 9 shutouts in 12 games and has only allowed 4 goals.

Stevenson had its defense step up in back throughout the match, led by Kayla Constabileo, Nicole Schmidt, Kaitlyn Hong and Hailey Livesay.

"It comes more natural and very happy to be back,' said Constabileo, who had missed some time from a concussion and returned to the field a couple weeks ago. "I think our number one principle back there is discipline. I'm really proud the way that we were organized and the way we stayed on our marks. I think that's our number one job when we get on the field."

The Patriots' defense knew what to expect and had to stick to its game plan, making it tough for their offensive attack.

"Every time we play, the key is to be on every moment," Constabileo said. "I think we kept the intensity up the whole game. I think we were on for every play. That's what we have to do against every opponent."

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