Patrick Z. McGavin – Page 42

Metea Valley's Jordan Lange (22) works the ball up the field against Naperville Central during a game in Aurora on Thursday, May 6, 2021.

Introducing the 2021 Beacon-News/Courier-News Girls Soccer All-Area Team

June 24, 2021 at 2:11 p.m.

FIRST TEAM Katrina Barthelt, South Elgin, junior, forward: Had 19 goals, three assists despite missing final four games. Repeat all-area. All-conference, all-state. Committed to Bemidji State. Natalia Colin, Streamwood, sophomore,...

Barrington's Nicole Gwiasda (2) controls the ball while being pressure by St. Charles East's Lauren Silvestri (3) during the second half of the Class 3A Barrington Supersectional on Tuesday, June 15, 2021.

Jenna Sitta called it ‘unfinished business.’ St. Charles East’s unbeaten season, though, came to an end with a 1-0 loss to Barrington.

June 15, 2021 at 11:11 p.m.

St. Charles East's Jenna Sitta felt a profound sense of recapturing lost time. "We had unfinished business coming into this season," she said. "Last year we knew what we had,...

Metea Valley’s Jenna Urbon grew up trying soccer and swimming. And then she saw ‘this group of kids playing a sport with sticks.’

January 14, 2021 at 3:36 p.m.

Almost accidentally, as a kid avid for new adventures, Metea Valley senior Jenna Urbon discovered how her future would play out. "I was about 10 years old," she said. "One...

Benet's Tyler Van Eekeren (3) takes a shot against Marian Catholic during a game in Chicago Heights on Friday, Feb. 7, 2020.

A competitive family. A competitive person. Benet’s Tyler Van Eekeren follows familiar footsteps but different sport to college.

January 13, 2021 at 11:02 a.m.

Growing up in a sports-mad family in Naperville, Benet senior Tyler Van Eekeren was made for this moment. His father, Alex, was a basketball standout at Benet. His mother, Amy,...

Naperville Central graduate Connor Assalley (96) kicks a 39-yard field goal for Iowa State in the second half of the Fiesta Bowl against Oregon Ducks at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, on Jan. 2, 2021.

After serving an apprenticeship as a kicker at Naperville Central, Connor Assalley cleans up for Iowa State: ‘He’s become a master.’

January 8, 2021 at 6:07 p.m.

Naperville Central football coach Mike Stine has vivid memories of his first encounter with Connor Assalley. "As a freshman, he came to our summer camp, and he probably weighed 95...

His two older brothers played football in college. Neuqua Valley’s Trey Borske uses that tie-in to find his fit with Winona State.

January 7, 2021 at 1:48 p.m.

In the world of college recruiting, enthusiasm runs in both directions and fit is always a crucial component. Neuqua Valley senior Trey Borske already knew that. Borske, who watched his...

Naperville North's Maggie Gamboa (59) and Audrey Mendrys (61) round a turn during the Class 2A Oswego East Regional on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2020.

Big Ten beckons: Close friends Audrey Mendrys and Maggie Gamboa to become rivals after leading Naperville North to 3 state titles in cross country

December 29, 2020 at 1:12 p.m.

For Audrey Mendrys and Maggie Gamboa, a state championship was only the beginning of their adventure together at Naperville North. "Neither of us probably realized how competitive of a team...

Pierce Walsh turned heads as a freshman for Benet’s football team. A year later, he does it by other means.

December 22, 2020 at 12:48 p.m.

Unable to showcase his skills during games this fall, Benet sophomore Pierce Walsh found other ways. The 6-foot-4, 195-pound wide receiver/defensive end participated in two events while waiting for the...

Stop and Stare: Neuqua Valley’s Garrett Stare decides to join his brother, Brandt, as a wide receiver at Wisconsin-Platteville

December 18, 2020 at 6:14 p.m.

Neuqua Valley's Garrett Stare looked at the future through his past. "Two years ago as a sophomore, I got pulled up to the varsity," Stare said. "I had a chance...

Northern Illinois' Chris Nendick, center, is hoisted in the air by his teammates after kicking a 39-yard field goal as time ran out against Central Florida during a game in Orlando on Saturday, Oct. 9, 2004.

‘I never looked back’: Naperville Central’s Chris Nendick goes from Northern Illinois to training Philadelphia Eagles kicker Jake Elliott

December 17, 2020 at 2:23 p.m.

Chris Nendick still remembers his first time kicking in a college stadium. The date was Nov. 24, 2001. As a sophomore for Naperville Central, Nendick kicked off in the Class...

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