Bartlett’s Tess Evans has the answer to the famous “what’s in a name” question posed by Shakespeare in “Romeo and Juliet.”
She’s listed on the roster as Tessa.
Evans, however, prefers the shorter and quicker Tess, much like the hero in the Thomas Hardy novel, “Tess of the d’Urbervilles.”
Her teammates, according to senior defender Sabrina Fowler, also like it that way.
“It’s faster to say and easier to get her attention on the field,” Fowler said.
Regardless of how she is addressed, Evans grabs everybody’s attention on the soccer field. Her competitive spirit and outgoing personality creates an identity for Bartlett.
Evans, a senior midfielder and Barry recruit, plays with a brash exuberance that radiates in all directions. She perfectly strikes the balances between being playful and intense.
“She is definitely outgoing as a person and that reflects on the field,” Fowler said. “We’re always laughing, always ready to play. She is very good at being serious when she needs to be.”
Guarding Tess is not so easy, however. She’s an attacking midfielder with a seriousness of purpose and versatility to her game.
“I’m great at shooting from distance,” Evans said. “I feel like I’m a very technical player. I have a lot of foot skills and I use that ability to give me some time and space.
“I just love slotting balls for teammates to run on to. If they don’t get it, then I get the ball back and get a shot.”
As a central midfielder, Evans needs to be the linchpin of the attack.
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Evans combines a physical, tactical presence with a solid first touch. She’s excellent with the ball at both feet. The attack runs through and off her.
“The coaches have been very hard on me about moving the ball quicker,” Evans said. “I have been on the varsity since my freshman year. A lot of the seniors were big and strong and I was learning how to adapt.
“Maybe I could dribble through three players in club soccer. In high school, the game is about learning how to use your teammates more, having more possession time and getting the ball back.”
Bartlett felt the absence of Evans when she missed the first five games of the season. The team started with a 1-3-1 record.
Following her return, Bartlett (10-8-2, 8-0-1) closed out the season on a 9-5-1 run and sharing the Upstate Eight Conference title with Glenbard East.
As a two-way force, Evans was a crucial reason the Hawks scored more goals in conference than any other team. They also had eight shutouts, conceding just one goal in nine games.
In the regular season, Evans finished with three goals and two assists.
“She’s very dynamic on the ball,” Fowler said of Evans. “She is great at moving on and off, passing and getting her head up
“It’s great to have a wonderful player like her in the middle, especially who will come back on defense.”
Evans also has a deep emotional connection to the game. Older sister Tabitha, a 2019 Bartlett graduate, had her promising career cut short by injury and illness.
Tabitha was her entry point to the game. Tess tries to play for her.
But at the same time, Tess’ game also speaks for itself.
“She’s always capable of making something out of nothing,” Bartlett coach Vince Revak said. “Whenever our team needed it, we can always count on her to be a catalyst for our offense.
“It will be difficult to replace Tess — she has been amazing for Bartlett. Four years have passed far too quickly.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.