Girls Soccer: Bella Najera, St. Charles North win 20th consecutive regional title in 2-0 win over Wheaton Warrenville South

ST. CHARLES – When St. Charles North’s astounding streak of girls soccer regional championships began, no current North Stars player had even been born.

It was way, way back in 2003. At the time, head coach Brian Harks was a student and senior at St. Charles North.

Twenty years later, the North Stars are still winning regional titles. The 20th straight was a 2-0 victory over Wheaton Warrenville South in the Class 3A St. Charles Regional final May 19.

“One of the things that we talk a lot about in this program is tradition and that core foundation set by [inaugural coach and 15-year North Stars coach] Ruth Vostal back when the school first opened up,” Harks said. “And the success that she was able to generate. When I was a younger coach, just watching that and trying to absorb that and mimic that. I look to her as a mentor for the things that she did for the program.”

Vostal had a phrase that has persisted: “St. Charles North, we don’t rebuild, we reload.”

“That’s been true,” Harks said. “The quality of players and their ability to buy into that. This group, once again, has proven that they have earned a spot in the traditions of St. Charles North.”

The history and moment wasn’t lost on Michigan State recruit Bella Najera.

“It’s a really great program with a lot of tradition and some really great players in this area,” Najera said after the regional semifinal win over Streamwood on May 16. “So wearing the shield [North Stars crest] means a lot. Every time you step on the field, you just want to give it your best for the players before us and for the future players ahead of us.”

Wheaton Warrenville South (8-8-5) and St. Charles North (15-3-2) battled in a physical affair for the full 80 minutes. Both teams had stretches of fruitful chances on rushes and windows for shooting opportunities in the first half. WW South goalie Marilyn Dixon (five saves) and St. Charles North goalie Kara Claussner (five saves) shined on the big stage.

Najera managed to crack the code on a second-half corner kick in traffic for a 1-0 North Stars lead with 36:11 left.

Later, during a frantic full-sprint rush, Dixon got a piece of a shot, but Rian Spaulding scored on the rebound for the insurance goal.

“I saw the ball in front of me. I knew it was a one-on-one [with a defender] and then the goalie,” Spaulding said. “So I just had to get around them and tuck it behind the net. Plus, it was 1-0. That’s not a comfortable game.”

The North Stars advanced to play Geneva in a West Chicago Sectional semifinal.

“This is probably worthy of a sectional final [or] a game that the winner travels on to state or a supersectional,” Tigers coach Guy Callipari said after the loss. “It’s unfortunate that it comes early, but it’s the way it’s set up and you have to get things done prior to the seeding. If you don’t, you find yourselves in these kind of predicaments. But you know, hey, eventually you’re going to have to play somebody that quality anyway.”

Through thick and thin, WW South was led by the senior contingent of Ella McClatchy, Kate Gronlund, captain Lauren Barnett, Mollie Nolan and Kate Hartnett.

Despite tears falling after the conclusion of their high school soccer chapters, memories and smiles soon replaced the tears.

“This team just became a family. Every year, we always looked forward to high school soccer just because the community here is so strong and this year was no different,” McClatchy said. “I mean, everyone just bonded so well. You can see it on the field, off the field. We just really love each other.”

“It’s so fun coming out with all my friends and just playing such a fun game and play our hearts out every time,” Gronlund said.

Callipari said the seniors left the program better “than when they came.”

“We’ve had a lot of fun and we’ve been competitive. At the end of the day, that’s what we always try to do,” Callipari said.