Ella Langellier’s early goal gives McNamara 1-0 win on senior day

KANKAKEE − Monday was senior day for the Bishop McNamara girls soccer team, and all nine of the team’s seniors took the field to start the home match against Manteno. A few short minutes into the game, one of those seniors, Ella Langellier, scored what would end up being the lone goal.

The Irish held Manteno scoreless to make that early goal hold up in a 1-0 win, thanks in large part to goalkeeper Kaneyce Davis’ five saves. Ava Brockell had an assist as the Irish improved to 5-6 overall on the season.

The regular season is ending shortly, with just four games remaining for Bishop McNamara. Langellier said she hopes to enjoy playing with her fellow seniors for the rest of their final season, especially considering she missed her junior year with a knee injury. She will also be building toward her future at the college level.

“It’s been really great,” she said. “Almost all of us have played all four years. It’s been really good, especially coming back from an injury last year. Having a good start to my season has been really instrumental in having me grow as a player, and hopefully this will carry on to playing Olivet soccer next year.”

Langellier and fellow seniors Erika Flores, Mayis Medina, Lydia Nugent, Cynthia Canchola, Meredith Cortes, Emily Storer, Sherlyn Perez and Ericka Duarte all were recognized before the match, and head coach Jason Dionne said that group has made a big impact.

“That class has been a major catalyst for this program as a whole,” he said. “They obviously mean a lot to what we do on the field, but off the field they’re a great group of leaders. They are excellent at helping out a big freshmen class that we had come in and helping guide the way for next year.

“They’re all heavily involved outside of the program as well. There’s a couple of valedictorians on the team in Emily Storer and Lydia Nugent. They’re a great class, I wish them the best, and I’m so glad they were able to get a win today.”

Manteno does not have as much experience as Bishop McNamara. There are five seniors on the roster in Nyriah Smith-McCurry, Kaylee Boudreau, Jacquelyn Villanueva, Raquel Quiroz and goalkeeper Ava Derrico, who made eight saves Monday. But a large number of new players have been added to the mix.

Head coach Erik Greenquist said that early progress stalled due to some injuries, but now the team is starting to get healthier again, and he thinks they took a big step Monday.

“Hopefully, this is a sign we’re turning things around,” he said. “I’m still missing a couple, but these girls that played really stepped up. ... This is probably one of the better games I’ve seen them play all year.”

Greenquist said he wants to finish the regular season strong, head into the postseason with some momentum and hopefully “shake some things up in the regional.”

Just three games remain on the Panthers’ schedule following Monday’s game, including a pair of tough Illinois Central Eight Conference games with Herscher and Coal City.

“I want good showing from these girls, and they know it,” he said. “We’re young for the most part. I do graduate five, but these girls are developing every day. A lot of [Monday’s] opportunities were done by first-year players, and that’s what I’m happy about.”

As for the Irish, Langellier said she hopes her seniors can help them break through in regionals after coming up short the past three seasons, where they won their first game before losing their second.

“The goal is to win regionals,” she said. “We’ve been really close all four years that I’ve played. Just off every year. This is supposed to be the year that we win.”