The Fenwick High School girls soccer team won its own Class 2A regional title with a 4-0 win over Elmwood Park on May 18.
Sophomore Juliana Giuffre’s goal within the first 30 seconds of the match proved to be all the scoring the Friars would need.
“We started fast. We got a goal within the first 30 seconds and it was never really in doubt after that,” Fenwick coach Rob Watson said. “If you score first and are able to go downhill versus trying to climb back into a game, it’s a lot easier. It was a full team effort because everyone that played contributed equal minutes and effort. That’s what we’ve been preaching all year.”
Giuffre scored her second goal later in the first half for Fenwick, who also received goals from MK Kapsch and DePauw-bound Anissa Nourse.
 “We came out aggressive and we were ready to play right as the first whistle went off,” Nourse said. “In our next game we need to make sure our communication is on point and the rest will fall into place.”
Goalkeepers Mary Heneghan and Audrey Hinrichs combined for the Friars’ 12th shutout this season.
“They’re both very capable,” Watson said about Heneghan and Hinrichs. “I’ve been in positions where I haven’t had one goalkeeper so having two is a true blessing.”
Nourse also praised the high quality play of the Friars’ prized pair of goalkeepers.
“We are so lucky to have Mary and Audrey as our goalkeepers because they’re both very talented and they’re equally dependable,” Nourse said.
Fenwick (13-6-1) advances to the 2A sectional at Wheaton Academy. The Friars will face the host Warriors in a semifinal on Wednesday, May 22 at 4 p.m.
Fenwick boys volleyball
The Friars swept Steinmetz 25-18, 25-18 in the semifinals of the Lane Tech Regional. Jack Kenny led the way with 11 kills, with Benjamin Groll adding 21 assists. Avyn Alairys, Emmanuel Camacho and Patrick Ehrhardt also played well as each recorded three kills for the victors.
Fenwick advances to face the host Indians on Wednesday, May 22 (6 p.m.) in Chicago for the regional title.
OPRF boys volleyball
At the Prosser Regional, the Huskies walloped Guerin Prep 25-7, 25-8 in a semifinal matchup. OPRF, one of the top teams in the state, faces Lincoln Park on Wednesday, May 22 in the regional championship game.Â
OPRF boys tennis
Sophomore Aiden Klass and junior Benjamin Pickering went 3-1 in matches to place third in doubles at the Glenbrook South Sectional. The Huskies’ top doubles team advances to the state finals at Hersey High School this weekend.
Klass and Pickering won four of five sets in their first two matches before sectional champs Ben Reid and Ethan Park of Glenbrook South defeated them 6-7 (5), 6-1, 6-3. The OPRF pair bounced back, however, winning their last match 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2) against Glenbrook North’s Jonah Ayzenberg and Matthew Park.
The Huskies finished fourth in the team standings with seven points, trailing sectional champion Glenbrook South (22), Glenbrook North (12) and Maine West (9).
OPRF girls soccer
The Huskies’ postseason stay didn’t last long as Downers Grove North defeated regional host OPRF 5-1 in a semifinal on May 15.
Although OPRF finished 3-12-1, thr record is a bit deceiving according to coach Christie Johnston.
“Our record and scores sure does not reflect the talent these girls have,” Johnston said. “Changing formations, playing in new positions, learning to play with one another, and being taught how to play two touch soccer at a fast-pace were great accomplishments we made.
“We are a young team and it takes time to grow and develop. They all made great strides both individually and as a team. We will be the team to beat in the coming years. I couldn’t be more excited for what the future holds for this team.”
Senior Emma Wojack and freshman Katherine Hoffman (team-high 8 goals) were all-conference players, while seniors Carrie Wolter, Elyse Kanagandram, Alexandra Hampton, Amaya Cruz, Kaitlin Vogen, Claire Love and Wojack received all-academic honors.
Freshman goalkeeper Lilah Gery emerged as another top performer.
“Lilah was a dominant presence in the goal,” Johnston said. “With her ahtleticism and quick hands, she made many saves that kept us in several games.”
While the Huskies will miss the leadership and ability of Wojack, Kanagandram and Cruz, plenty of promising players return to complement Hoffman and Gery. Sammy Gotti, Kate Klinger, Julia Daun, Audrey Stutz and Alexis Schulman should contribute to the team’s development next season.Â
“Throughout the season the players’ physical ability and technical skills became stronger as they became more comfortable playing with one another,” Johnston said. “We faced a lot of adversity and hardships this season, but that only brought us closer and made this team that much more special. They worked hard and were challenged all season. They are a great group of girls and I couldn’t be prouder to be their coach.”
Trinity soccer
The Blazers cruised to a 7-0 victory over ITW Speer Academy in their postseason opener, but lost 4-0 against Noble Prtizker in a regional semifinal of the Class 2A state playoffs.
Fenwick/OPRF Lacrosse
The Fenwick and OPRF girls teams won their postseason openers. The Friars defeated Trinity 8-4, while the Huskies routed Whitney Young 17-1. Both schools advance to the sectional semifinals at St. Ignatius on Wednesday, May 22. Fenwick will face the host Wolfpack, while OPRF takes on the winner of Mother McAuley/Payton.
 On the boys side. Fenwick fell to host Evanston 12-1 and the Huskies lost to Maine South 6-3 on May 20 in sectional quarterfinals action of the state playoffs.
