Pieces in place for a fine year at Wheaton North

By Gary Larsen

Wheaton North coach Tim McEvilly has added a wrinkle or two to the system his Falcons will play this year, and they’re hitting the ground running with it.

“I think we’ll have a good team this year. I think we’ll be pretty balanced. We have strong players in every area,” Falcons senior Erin Karner said. “We have three freshmen and some incoming players, but everyone has a role. Everyone has a spot.”

Karner scored once and freshman Linnae Giuliano scored twice in the Falcons’ 3-0 season-opener against Willowbrook on Tuesday.

“We’re excited about our opportunities this year,” McEvilly said. “I’ve got nine senior on the roster, lots of them with a good deal of experience, and some juniors and sophomores that also played varsity for us last year.”

“And we’ve got a good infusion of newcomers. I think our freshmen will be difference-makers for us this year.”

For a team that only lost three starters to graduation, keying the midfield this year in Wheaton will be Karner and Chelsea Hupp, a pair of seniors responsible for connecting play from back to front.

“They’ve got to be organized and be able to distribute quickly, and find those lanes up top to people’s feet,” McEvilly said of his midfield duo. “Their first job is to make sure we’re organized defensively. If they can do that, I know they can do the offensive end of it.”

“They’re both very intelligent players, and have done things before like we’re asking them to do this year. It’s going to be a learning curve for lots of the other people, and those two will really have to help.”

With keeper Shannon Malahy behind them, anchoring the back line for the Falcons will be junior Kate Wiegman and senior Amy Larque, a pair of hard-tackling central defenders with offensive mindsets and strong communication skills.

“We’re working on our flat four in the back, and having our wings come up the sides,” Karner said. “We’re working on our triangle in the middle, and having chances to turn and create offense as well, but we also want to have a big defensive role in the middle. Then we have our forwards, doing a great job with their speed, trying to get behind people.”

North has welcomed a few speedburners to the attacking fold this year. Falcons senior Kelsey Tharnstrom showed speed up the right side throughout the second half on Tuesday, reaching the end line with regularity.

“She’s a first-year senior for us. She’s been running the last three years,” McEvilly said. “She came in as a soccer player but has been running cross-country and track.”

“Between her, Linnae (Giuliano), and Ashley (Oltman), those three can run by anybody. Linnae and Kelsey are two of the fastest kids we have in our building. If we can find Paige (Fowler) and use her as a target in the middle, those two and Ashley out wide are going to be open to have some opportunities to get behind some defenders.”

Fowler could be the key to the entire equation for North this season.

“If Paige has an outstanding year, we’ll have a chance to beat anybody,” McEvilly said. “We’ve got to be able to get the ball to her feet, and give her chances to gain confidence. If we can get her going, she’s going to make everybody else’s life so much easier. She’s an essential part of our success.”

Seniors Rebekah Marquez and Monica Rauch, junior Natalie Waterman, and sophomores Tiffany Traxinger and Sarah Weathered will all be expected to contribute greatly this year, and the Falcons will also rely on a trio of freshmen in Giuliano, Madie Fagan, and Anne Denz.

“Linnae has a lot of speed and she’s really strong,” Karner said. “I think she’s used to playing defense, but she’s finding her spot on offense for sure. All three of our freshmen are pretty confident. We welcomed them and they found a place on our team pretty easy.”

The Falcons host Glenbard North on Friday and Glenbard West on Monday, before traveling to West Aurora for a game next Thursday. After that, it’s off to South Carolina for a team trip during spring break.

“We’re going to Myrtle Beach to train and play Hilton Head Island High School,” Karner said. “It’ll be really fun, but it’ll also be hard work. We think it will be a good bonding experience, and help us get in shape in a fun environment.”

“So far, this is the most fun I’ve had in my years here.”