Hinsdale Central girls soccer coach Michael Smith discovered just how passionate junior goalkeeper Katy Coseglia was about the upcoming season by looking at her smartphone.
In the offseason, Coseglia maintained a countdown clock on her phone to keep track of how many days remained until the first day of preseason practice, March 2.
It also was the date of Coseglia’s first practice without Riley Glenn looking over her shoulder.
Glenn had been the starting goalie ever since Coseglia was in the program. Last season, Glenn and Coseglia split playing time, with Glenn getting the start and Coseglia playing in the second half.
The job belongs strictly to Coseglia, a resident of Willowbrook, now that Glenn has graduated.
The Red Devils’ defense hasn’t missed a beat, as Cosgelia allowed her first goal of the Pepsico Showdown Thursday night.
Fourth-seeded Hinsdale Central rallied with two goals in less than two minutes in the second half to beat host St. Charles North, the fifth seed, 2-1 in the quarterfinals of the Aquafina winners’ bracket.
The Devils (8-1), who defeated Manteno 7-0 and Lincoln-Way North 1-0 in earlier rounds, advanced to play top-seeded New Trier or ninth-seeded Hersey in the semifinals Saturday at Olympic Park in Schaumburg.
St. Charles North freshman Gia Wahlberg scored in the first half for the North Stars (5-2-1), only the third goal allowed by the Red Devils this season..
“That was a great goal she scored. There was nothing I could do,” Coseglia said. “But I feel great about my team, scoring those two goals within five minutes.”
Junior Emma Dannhausen-Brun tied the game with a left-footed shot past goalkeeper Shelby Stitz. Senior Erin Smith then launched a free kick from about 40 yards that sailed over the head of Stitz, who tried to deflect the ball, but it glanced off her hand.
Smith is in his fourth season as Red Devils’ head coach and Glenn was the starting goalie for the first three seasons. She even started as a freshman when Smith was the Red Devils’ assistant coach before taking over the program from Skip Begley.
His decision to split keeper responsibilities last year is paying off this season.
“We had two talented goalies,” Smith said. “It offered both the opportunity to play and I could distribute playing time. The great thing is that (Coseglia) got matches under her belt. She has stepped up and played well. Nothing is unfamiliar to her now.”
Smith said Glenn and Coseglia became good friends and Glenn mentored Coseglia as her eventual successor.
Coseglia dedicated herself to soccer and prepared for the responsibility as Hinsdale Central’s No. 1 goalkeeper. She is the only keeper on the Red Devils’ roster.
Coseglia quit basketball after playing as a freshman and sophomore. She used that time for three-hour sessions indoors with the Oak Brook Soccer Club and for personal instruction from her goalie coach, Scott Rose.
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“It feels great to be the only goalie,” Coseglia said. “I did not get to play (much) as a freshman. The seniors have helped me a ton.”
Smith likes Coseglia’s willingness to help the team any way she can. In practices, Coseglia will play a field position if Smith needs a player to fill in.
Senior co-captain and starting defender Kaitlyn Livingston has noticed a difference this season with Coseglia in the goal. For one thing, it’s a lot noisier.
“Both are very strong players,” Livingston said. “Katy will talk to me and other defenders. She talks a lot more.”
Twitter: @geomwilcox