Chicago Tribune from Chicago, Illinois • 146

4 CHICAGO TRIBUNE SECTION 2 DN I KIBWtbl FRIDAY MARCH 22, 2002 SPORTS FOCUS fi lenior forwari Ballfleld lighting backed top 'of her class Kedhawks 4 honors each season, was All-Sectional in 2000 and 2001 and was named All-State last spring. "She's not a vocal leader on this team," said Watson. "When you have 11 seniors, she doesn't need to be. She's a leader by example who plays it at 100 percent. She's willing to do everything that everyone else is doing and never bellyaches.

She demands a lot of herself, and she demands a lot of her teammates as well." Thompson plays soccer year-round. In the off-season she plays with the Libertyville-based Eclipse club team. "I think my biggest strength is being able to see the whole field, knowing where people are and anticipating where the ball's going to go before it goes there," she said. "I don't consider myself too fast, so I have to be able to beat people with things other than speed a combination of passing and skills." Central is not only blessed with many veterans but has a strong talent base. "We're deep, we're balanced and it's nice to have that to go along with a top player like Thompson," said Watson.

"The term 'chemistry' is widely used these days, and team chemistry seems to be picking up from where it was last year and it was very good then. The girls seem to be happy to be together, and our communication on the field has improved." Other leading returnees include four three-year varsity starters: senior defenders Pam Ficarra and Christina Kowal-ski, senior midfielder Hilary Si-manek, and junior defender Ab-by Buhrandt. Senior goalie Katy Pratapas is back for her second varsity season. And freshmen Jessica Levitt, H.l.t' Hi .1 II. Jl Photo for the Tribune by Warren Skalski senior forward Julie Thompson (left) scrimmages recently at the leader by example who plays it at 100 percent." major in biomedical sciences and possibly pursue a career in forensics.

"The coaches are great, they're real personable," she said. "They try to know you more than on the soccer level. The team is real close, they're fun. It's like a small family, and I thought that would be a good college experience." School signs partnership with its newest neighbor By Jack McCarthy Special to the Tribune Another conference soccer title would suit Naperville Central's Julie Thompson just fine. A trip to state later this spring would be even sweeter.

But most of all the Redhawk forward just wants to have fun. "I don't care about the goals, stuff like that," said Thompson, a 5-foot 2-inch senior entering her fourth season as a Central starter. "Hopefully, if we have fun it will also show in the field." Last spring the Redhawks went 14-6-4 overall and won the DuPage Valley title with a 6-1 record. But that season ended with a 3-2 sectional semifinal loss to Naperville North. The Huskies went on to state and finished third.

The Red-hawks stayed home. Central hopes to be among the eight finalists when this spring's Class AA state tourney is held at nearby North Central College for the first time. "We're obviously looking to go to state. I think you need a lot of seniors to go to state, and we have a lot of seniors," Thompson said. "We want it." This season should be an enjoyable ride for Thompson and the other Redhawks, who lost just two starters from last year's group.

"I think she's one of the top players in the state," said Red-hawk coach Ed Watson, beginning his 10th season at the varsity helm. "She loves to play the game and she's a player that other teams have to be worried about." Thompson has scored 31 goals and collected 46 assists in her three-year varsity career. She has earned All-DuPage Valley Naperville Fire game goes well on, off field By Jack McCarthy Special to the Tribune Traffic flowed smoothly, fans streamed into the stadium with minimal delays and the home team rewarded everyone with a win as professional soccer made its debut Wednesday in Naperville. The Chicago Fire began play at North Central College's Cardinal Stadium with a 2-0 Football Confederation Champion's Cup victory over CSD Municipal of Guatemala in front of 4,844 fans. Fire General Manager Peter Wilt beamed as he greeted fans and handed out programs at one of two entrances before the game.

"So far, so good. It's very positive," Wilt said. "People are excited to be out here. This will be a good dry run for us for the bigger games when we get 15,000 fans." Months of logistical planning seemed to pay off as pre-game traffic moved smoothly through downtown Naperville and fans navigated parking at Naperville Central High School, a nearby Metra station and two other lots. Many fans parked and walked several blocks to the stadium.

"I was looking up at Chicago Avenue and seeing cars go by and thinking 'that's a shock' because at this time on a nor- 1 li II HI MM Ml in Lisle Zoning Board endorses plan for night games By Maria Kantzavelos Special to the Tribune Lisle High School moved one step closer to playing Friday night home football games on Wednesday after the village's Zoning Board of Appeals narrowly approved a controversial request to install lights at the school's playing field. The 4-3 vote sends the proposal to light Wilde Field to the Village Board for final approval. If the Village Board approves, Lisle Unit District 202 will be able to install lights at the Lions' home field near the junior high school at 5207 Center Ave. The seven-member Zoning Board's decision came after several rounds of lengthy and widely attended public hearings. Opposition came from residents who live near the field and raised concerns such as parking and noise problems that would come with projected attendance increases.

"The worst part of this situation is the disrespect they have given the neighbors of this community," said Fred Brogle, who lives near the field. The Lisle Lions, however, relish the idea of playing home games on Friday nights, as most high school teams do. School officials estimate night games would draw about 900 fans, up from the estimated 700 who attend on Saturdays. Moving games to Fridays would also alleviate scheduling conflicts for students engaged in other sporting events that conflict with football on Satur days, officials have said. Zoning Board Chairman Ste ven Stroh said he looked at the possible benefit to the entire community in reaching his decision to vote in favor of the lights.

The benefit to the communi ty as a whole is a stronger school spirit and a community event that will have greater attendance, Stroh said. I pushed hard to limit any damage there might be. I'm confident that any detriment to the homeowners is minimal and is far outweighed to the benefit of the village. Whatever potential damage there is, I tried to limit even that." The Zoning Board will also forward several conditions to the Village Board, including limiting the maximum number of events held under the lights between the months of August through May to five; mandating that lighted events conclude no later than 10:30 p.m.; requiring student athletes and band members to park at the high school and be bused to the field for events; petitioning the village to ban on-street parking in the surrounding residential area; and requiring school district officials to implement a plan for off-street parking that identifies paved, gravel and grass parking spaces at the field. Zoning Board members Rudolph Sanchez, Debbie Granat and Richard Thorn voted against the measure.

"There's been a lot of negative factors raised by the people who live in the area and have to put their kids to bed at night," Sanchez said. Granat, whose signature on an early petition against the lights had sparked some controversy, agreed. "I don't think the school is really losing anything without approval to install lights," Granat said. "They've gotten along fine for 40-plus years." District officials have said they don't have funds for a new field at the high school, estimated to cost up to $3 million, or suitable land at the high school campus because of flood plain issues, officials have said. The Village Board could take up the matter at its April 15 meeting, said Tony Budzikow-ski, community development director.

If the permit is granted, the Lisle Athletic Boosters Club would provide the estimated $60,000 for the lights and $20,000 for installation. i Naperville Central High School school. Her coach calls her a "a a forward, and midfielder Alis-sa Vonderhaar are expected to have a major impact. "It's our hope that we'll have some serious weapons," said Watson. "We have to have more than Julie, and I think we have those kids." Thompson plans to continue playing next fall at Marquette University, where she plans to 'V VON areas, with police officers handling traffic and patrolling the area on foot, in cars or on bicycles.

Inside Cardinal Stadium, private security also was visible. hecrowd, while vocal and occasionally boisterous, seemed well-behaved. For Wednesday's game, the Fire used Cardinal Stadium's permanent stands and a small set of bleachers near the southwest goal. Temporary seating will be added throughout the season and eventually will ring the field. Seating capacity eventually will reach 15,000.

The Fire open their fifth Major League Soccer season on Saturday at Columbus and play three road games before returning to Cardinal Stadium for an April 27 match against New England. The North Central facility will host Fire games through at least this season while Soldier Field renovations are under way. I Photo for the Tribune by Chris Ocken Carlo Buonavolanto, 14, serves hot cocoa in North Central College's Cardinal Stadium at the Chicago Fire game Wednesday. In the meantime, Thompson's prepared to do whatever her coach feels is needed to make Redhawks succeed this spring. "If he wants me to score, I'll try to score," she said.

"If I need to be passing, I'll pass. If he needs me to sit on the bench, I'll sit on the bench. Whatever the team needs me to do, I'll do, Jackson. The school will share information about the team with its pupils' families.On April 26, Fire players will present a tobacco prevention and asthma awareness program to pupils. The next day, the team will play at Cardinal Stadium.

The team also will conduct a clinic for pupils in the stadium. Chicago Fire players, many of whom hail from other countries, will speak to a group of Highlands pupils about their experiences in traveling the world. The school will hold a barbecue to celebrate its relationship with the team on May 31. The team plans to schedule a neighborhood appreciation night for Highlands families, probably in August, said Fire General Manager Peter Wilt. The Fire realizes that thousands of people will descend upon the neighborhood around Highlands on game days, Wilt said.

As a result, the team will give Highlands families free admission to a game, he said. "We want to be a good neighbor," Wilt said. The team is playing its games at North Central while Solider Field in Chicago is renovated. The Fire also will play in Naperville in 2003, Wilt said. "One of our ideas for coming out to the suburbs to play is that there are so many kids who play soccer but haven't had the chance to go downtown to a game," he said.

"We're also going to have a game on the field after Naperville appreciation night. So some of the kids from this school will actually get to play on the same field as the Fire plays. 7T Reid Hanley is on assignment. beyond words By Ken O'Brien Special to the Tribune The Chicago Fire is trying to become friends with pupils at a school near its new field in Naperville. Team officials have forged a partnership with Highlands School, which is next to North Central College.

The college's Cardinal Stadium, where the Fire will play 14 regular-season games this year, is visible from Highlands. On Monday, team officials joined Principal Susan Stuckey and representatives of Naperville Community Unit School District 203 to sign papers creating the partnership. Naperville Mayor George Pradel also participated in the ceremony. "Soccer is a great big deal in Naperville," Pradel told about 20 pupils before the signing. About a third of the pupils, who were in 3rd through 5th grades, said they had attended a Chicago Fire game.

"I'm really glad they are coming because I really like soccer," said 3rd grader Amber Vignie-ri. "I am happy they are having a partnership with Highlands because I have gone to a lot of their games," said 4th grader Mike Fattore. Fire players will visit the school and conduct a soccer clinic. The school will share information about the team with tHighlands' 500 families. "We are very excited to have the Chicago Fire as our neighbor," Stuckey said.

The partnership was developed over about three months, said Highlands parent Kathleen 2:30 and close at dusk. Season passes may be bought in the district's administrative offices, 320 W. Jackson Ave. Passes are $40 for residents, $60 for others. Daily admission is $4 for Naperville residents, $6 for others, district officials said.

mal Wednesday, that road doesn't move," Wilt said. "I think having the police officers directing traffic in some ways might make it better than it usually is." Among the fans who braved 39-degree weather was Tim Elsden of Lockport. He said he follows the Fire and looks forward to attending games in Naperville. "Anything's better than Soldier Field," said Elsden, who was accompanied by his wife, Cyndi, and 3-year-old son, Liam. "It's a nice stadium for football, big sporting events, but that's too big for the Fire.

So this will be just perfect." Concession lines were long and souvenir booths were busy, with Fire jerseys and stadium blankets among the most popular items. A raffle ticket sale, sponsored by the Naperville Lightning youth soccer club, had many customers. A strong law-enforcement presence was evident throughout the campus and downtown Frontier Park skate facility to open Weather permitting, the Na perville Park District's skate park will open for the season Saturday in Frontier Park, behind Crone Middle School. The park will be open from 10:30 a.m. until dusk on weekends and during the school spring break.

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