Dreaming of being an architect, Abby Vichich is a self-taught photographer who loves capturing the people and faces of fellow students at St. Charles North.
She took her camera to football, soccer or basketball games but didn’t focus on the action on the field or court. She created a narrative out of the students’ responses to what they were watching.
“I like getting people’s raw emotions when things happen at a football game, and you are able to see the reactions,” she said. “I started it because the football players were the ones that would get all the photos.
“Nobody really took photos of the student section, and I thought it would be a good opportunity.”
The Milwaukee-bound senior is now creating a self-portrait of the artist at work, underscoring her versatility, strength and power as a superb central defender.
The 5-foot-9 Vichich, a three-year starter, combines elite size, physical power and tenacity in helping unlock a suffocating defense for St. Charles North (13-3-1, 6-0).
Vichich, who has the range and size to shut down space and angles, is typically assigned the opposition’s top attacking player.
“I don’t like to lose at all,” she said. “The biggest thing about me is my mentality. I am very competitive. I don’t care what it is — a board game, playing against someone younger or older.
“I don’t like to lose.”
Her background was also varied. That wealth of experience has paid dividends.
“When I was younger, I was an attacking midfielder on the offensive side,” Vichich said. “Probably around the seventh or eighth grade, I grew tall and gained muscle.
“My coach thought I was the perfect central back because of my build. I just realized I was good at it. Most forwards are smaller in size, and I know how to use my size as an advantage.”
With Vichich helping to form a virtually impenetrable wall, the North Stars’ defense has been spectacular, nearly posting as many shutouts with nine as goals allowed with 10.
“Abby is a fantastic defender,” St. Charles North coach Brian Harks said. “Her soccer IQ is what separates her. She always knows where to be and how to handle each scenario.
“She brings a calm presence to any hectic situation, and she has proven again and again that she has the ability to play against any offense in the state.”
The best tribute for the prowess and form of Vichich comes from senior midfielder Bella Najera, a Michigan State recruit and one of the best offensive players in the country.
“I know I can trust her as the last defender,” Najera said. “She is a player who is very hard to get by with her defensive knowledge about the game and her work ethic.
“She is also very good with the ball at her feet, which is not something every center back has in their skill set.”
Vichich helped neutralize Grace Wiliams, St. Charles East’s all-state forward, as the North Stars defeated the rival Saints twice in a five-day span.
With the start of the state playoffs less than a week away, St. Charles East and St. Charles North are the top two seeds of the Class 3A West Chicago Sectional.
The games are deeply personal.
“My focus is getting past the sectionals,” Vichich said. “We have lost to East both times the last two years in the sectional final, and my feeling was that I still had another year.
“Now if we lose, I am done. I definitely feel like our team is talented enough to go to state, and I want to help my team defensively. I want to help get us there.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.