In some ways, Jessie Schmidt and Annika Schmidt are different.
The sisters’ personalities, for instance, are completely different, according to Maine South girls soccer coach J.J. Crawford. Jessie Schmidt, a sophomore midfielder/forward at DePaul, was a quiet leader in high school. She also preferred to control the middle of the field and be the one who set up goals when she starred at Maine South.
Annika Schmidt, on the other hand, is loud, fun and silly, according to Crawford. The Hawks sophomore forward and her older sister have similar skills — both are adept at passing, moving off the ball and making game-changing plays — but Annika Schmidt would rather use her speed and athleticism to push forward and be the one to score.
For opposing coaches, however, the Schmidts are in many ways the same.
“She’s not any different from her older sister, honestly,” Glenbrook South coach Seong Ha said after Annika Schmidt scored against the Titans in a 1-1 tie on Saturday, April 23. “She’s just a fighter (who) competes and is really special.”
There are other similarities between Jessie Schmidt and Annika Schmidt on the soccer field. Annika Schmidt has worked hard to create them.
“Throughout her high school (career) and going into DePaul, I was really proud of her and I always said how I wanted to be like her,” Annika Schmidt said. “My parents are really proud of her. I just hope to play soccer in college like her.”
More Top Picks Best Premium Fanny Packs
Jessie Schmidt has been an important resource for Annika Schmidt, who scored nine goals in the Hawks’ first 14 games of the season.
There have been times, Annika Schmidt said, when Jessie Schmidt has attended her matches and provided feedback afterward on things she can improve upon. Annika Schmidt has also attended some of Jessie Schmidt’s games at DePaul.
“When I watch her play, I just keep mental notes on what I need to do to be as successful,” Annika Schmidt said.
By watching Jessie Schmidt play for the Blue Demons, Annika Schmidt said she has learned to work hard to get open again after she makes a pass.
“I (would) just think, ‘It’s over,’ ” Annika Schmidt said. “But when I see her playing at DePaul, every time she passes it, she makes another run. She is, most of the time, able to get the ball again. I try and do that.”
Annika Schmidt will become even better by improving little things like that and staying onside with greater frequency, Crawford said.
Glenbrook South’s defense used a high line to trap Annika Schmidt, and the Hawks’ other forwards, several times on Saturday, April 23, in the Central Suburban South game in Park Ridge. There was one time when the Hawks (9-2-3, 2-0-1 after the tie) weren’t offside, however, and what followed provided insight into why Annika Schmidt has been a game-changing forward for Maine South in her first season of high school soccer.
The play began with a little less than 10 minutes remaining in the first half and the ball in Glenbrook South’s end of the field. The Titans’ defenders tried to catch Annika Schmidt offside for the third time in the half, but she made an adjustment. She checked back.
Then, junior midfielder Sara Ignoffo played a pass through the Titans’ defense and into the path of Annika Schmidt, who took off when Ignoffo kicked the ball. She used her long strides and speed to jet behind Glenbrook South’s defense and in on the goalie.
Instead of firing a shot on her first touch, Annika Schmidt remained poised. She took a touch and looked at the goalkeeper, then created an advantageous shooting angle with another touch before scoring with an accurate, controlled shot.
That goal-scoring sequence showed part of the reason why Annika Schmidt has had so much success this season.
“She’s rocking and rolling up there,” Crawford said.
Eric Van Dril is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @VanDrilSports