While the Evanston girls water polo team’s record-breaking season ended with a 5-3 loss to New Trier in the Glenbrook South Sectional final, the game also created a sense of hope about the future.
The Wildkits finished their 2016 campaign with four losses to the Trevians, and seven overall, but 25 victories. Evanston’s 25th victory, which it earned with an 8-7 win against Loyola in the sectional semifinals on Friday, May 13, broke the school record for most wins in a season. The previous record of 24 was set in 2004.
“We lose 12 seniors — 12 amazing seniors,” said Evanston coach Andy Miner, who just finished his fourth season. “We’ve had a really good string of four years here. It’s not over, in my (eyes). But losing that senior class, there’s going to be a lot of leadership that needs to be filled in. That’s the biggest hole. Talent wise, we lose a lot of talent, but we (will) bring a lot of talent up. But the leadership that senior class had was incredible.”
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Evanston also set a state record for shutouts in a season with six.
All-state-caliber goalie Olivia Everhart was in net for each one. The Wildkits will lose Everhart and a slew of key contributors to graduation, but there’s reason to be very optimistic moving forward.
“We have a JV team that only lost three games this year,” Miner said. “We’ve got a frosh-soph team that’s got an incredible amount of talent, so I’m really hoping that we can keep this good momentum going.”
Emma Stein and Giselle Figueroa figure to be key in helping Evanston next season.
The juniors not only both scored in the Glenbrook South Sectional final on Saturday, May 14, they were important parts of the Wildkits’ defensive scheme against New Trier.
The Trevians beat up Evanston, both mentally and physically, according to Miner, in the Central Suburban League Tournament championship game on Saturday, May 7. Senior Lauren Barrett scored six goals and the Trevians won 9-3.
The California recruit was held to just one goal in the sectional final one week later, however. Miner adjusted the team’s defensive scheme and the Wildkits — including Stein, Figueroa and fellow juniors Lauren Hays and Riley Hughes — executed it. Miner said the goal was to take Barrett out of the game. When she received a pass there were often at least two Evanston players around her.
“I’m glad with how we ended our season, even though we lost,” Figueroa said. “It was a great season.”
New Trier coach Matt Wendt, who is in his seventh season, has witnessed the growth the Wildkits have made under Miner.
Evanston won just 12 games in 2013, according to www.illpolo.com.
“I completely respect Andy Miner. He’s a combination of a great person and a great tactical coach,” Wendt said. “Their team showed a lot of heart (in the sectional final). … Their team’s great. I really like that program. Andy’s turning it around. Every year, it’s getting harder and harder (to play against Evanston).”
Eric Van Dril is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @VanDrilSports