'Best friends forever': What makes this Chatham Glenwood soccer senior class so potent

CHATHAM — Chatham Glenwood seniors Ella Gorrie, Ella Beeler and Ainslie Wilson ran cross country together in junior high.

Their speed continues to wreak havoc on the pitch.

Last season, the trio combined for 41 goals and 22 assists en route to the outright Central State Eight Conference title. They flourish still yet among a robust lineup.

Gorrie once again leads the way with 17 goals and 10 assists while Beeler (10 goals, 4 assists) and Wilson (7 goals, 8 assists) follow suit near the top.

“We've been buddies forever,” Gorrie said. “We went on trips to Florida together. They're awesome. They've been my best friends forever and I've been very fortunate to play with them.”

Big reason for success

Other seniors include goal keeper Gigi Yurevich, defender Keeley Buennemeyer and reserve player Kate Sperry.

Gorrie (Indiana State) and Yurevich (Maryville) will play at the next level.

“Our seniors are some real good kids,” Glenwood coach Jay Lipe said. “A lot of them I've known since they were seventh and eighth graders. They would help us with some youth camps. They just had a love for the game.

"The core of them have played together their whole lives, so they really have set the tone for us the last four years even as freshmen just with their work ethic and great attitudes.”

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That senior vanguard first met through the Springfield Area Soccer Association.

“We have that connection,” Beeler said after Tuesday’s senior night ceremony. “That's what makes it even more sad is I've been playing with these people since I was like 5 years old.”

Beeler plans to study aviation and marketing at University of Illinois. Wilson, who is also the president of show choir, will enroll at Northwestern University with an interest in screenwriting.

Wilson described the Ellas as cerebral players on the field. Gorrie, likewise, complimented her front row teammates.

“Ainslie and Beeler are both fantastic,” Gorrie said. “I mean, they bring so much energy. They're always making runs, always bringing positive energy up there, always working hard. They make stuff happen for us.”

Deep roster

These veterans capped off a second straight undefeated run in the CS8 with Tuesday’s 8-0 victory over Rochester at the Glenwood Athletic Complex. The Titans (16-3 overall, 7-0 CS8) quickly defused the Rockets and led 7-0 at halftime.

“Obviously it was a good night and a good win for us,” Gorrie said. “It's a good group of girls. I appreciate them putting on such a good senior night for us. This was fun.”

Wilson agreed.

“It's going to be so hard to leave this team particularly,” Wilson said.

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Gorrie opened the match with two goals, including a penalty kick, and added an assist. Wilson and freshman Rowann Law each had a goal and assist while Beeler also scored. Junior Erin Mansfield tallied two assists on corner kicks.

"We're pretty blessed that we've got a deep roster this year and that kind of competition between the players in practices only makes us improve," Lipe said. "We try to make the practices harder than the games, so hopefully the games are a fun and easy time for us. The kids came out and played real well today."

Glenwood reached the Class 2A supersectionals last season and fell to eventual state champion Troy Triad 2-0 in Urbana.

This year, top-seeded Glenwood not only hosts their sectional but also the supersectional. They begin in the Jacksonville Regional final against the winner between No. 4 Mount Zion and No. 5 Jacksonville on Saturday, May 21.

“I think we've had a lot of experiences in the regular season that are going to prepare us well for the postseason,” Wilson said. “I think we've learned to react really well to different situations being thrown our way, so I'm really excited.”

Contact Bill Welt: (217) 788-1545, bill.welt@sj-r.com, Twitter.com/BillWelt

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: IHSA girls soccer: Seniors keep Chatham Glenwood on attack in CS8