ECFC 2024 Recap
With the 2024 season now in the books, the many teams of Edgewater Castle can look back on many successes that sent the Rooks soaring to brand new heights.
The Men's First Team starting 11 poses before a match. Credit: Ruben Urquiza
Men’s First Team
Entering the new MWPL Heartland Division 2 formatting this season, the Rooks garnered some hard fought victories from some tough sides while fighting for promotion. Facing stiff competition while at the top half of the table, the Rooks fell just short of their overall goal with a 5-3-3 overall finish at fourth place, but maintained positive play all around that will bolster them heading into next season.
During the MWPL season, the Rooks managed to stay on top of local rivals. AFC Roscoe, recent northside competition of the Rooks, who ended their season at the top of the table, failed to garner any wins off of Edgewater; the Rooks delivered AFC Roscoe’s only loss of the season with a blistering 3-1 victory, and the Rooks’ home opener was a 3-3 tie that was created from a second half hattrick by Jake Kreuger.
Edgewater also secured another comeback to remember away at Green Bay Glory. The now-promoted side were dominant throughout the season, but the Rooks managed to secure a 3-2 victory away in Green Bay’s territory with a 3 goal second half comeback, showing how they were the strength against the storm. Despite not managing to secure promotion in a competitive season, the Rooks showed the rest of their conference that they can and will win against top teams when the going gets tough.
The Men’s First Team also had success in pursuing the Illinois State Cup. Cruising past Wisła Chicago and FC Select in the Round of 16 and the Quarterfinal, the Rooks wound up facing AFC Roscoe in the Semifinal. After ending 0-0, the game ended in a heated penalty shootout; after Roscoe netted 4 penalties straight, Rooks goalkeeper Anton Omarov made a gutsy save to put the game in the balance. Afterwards, Enzo Dagatti netted the game-winning penalty to send the Rooks to the finals in a 5-4 shootout. Although the Rooks lost the final 2-0 against Wisloka Chicago, the high-stakes path to the final was one that can be looked back on fondly.
The Women's First Team raises the USASA Region 2 trophy. Credit: Ruben Urquiza
Women’s First Team
The Women’s First Team had massive successes this year, winning Edgewater Castle FC’s first ever trophy as well as creating dominating performances within the UWS.
During the regular season, the Rooks maintained dominant play when facing many of the top teams of UWS Midwest. Ending the season with a 5-3 record, the Rooks reached fourth place on the UWS Midwest table. Under the guidance of newly appointed coach Duygu Erdoğan, the Rooks pulled off great victories against the likes of Chicago Rush (3-0 away and 9-1 at home) Firebirds SC (6-0 at home) and Indiana Union (4-1 at home). The Rooks at large were great on both sides of the ball, showing large improvements in play as the team continues to grow.
The Women’s Team also had massive success while in the USASA National Amateur Cup Tournament. After defeating DeKalb United in an extra time 1-0 victory thanks to a goal by Courtney Sengstock at 100’, the Rooks managed to secure their club’s first ever trophy when beating Rockford Raptors FC in the USASA Region 2 Final at Montrose Turf Field.
Mounting a massive attack in the second half, the Rooks would secure the victory thanks to a sensational last-minute freekick goal by Kristin Boos in the 90th minute. Hoisting the trophy, the Rooks added their first silverware in club history as well as advanced to their biggest game ever: a semifinal national game against Utah side Pan World Elite WFC. Though Edgewater lost 4-0, the Rooks being able to compete in the national level shows lengths of success that the Women’s First Team were able to get to this year; much more success looks to be on the horizon.
The Men's U23 Team huddles up after a match. Credit: Gareth Mullins (https://www.instagram.com/garithimo/)
Men’s U23
Under new head coach Al Stankovic, the Men’s U23 had a phenomenal season. In their GSCL U23 Division Red regular season, the Rooks were unbeaten; the cohesion of the players and the strategies implemented on the pitch were the right elements needed for the Rooks to dominate their opponents. In a hard fought GCSL Semi-Final, the Rooks lost to Rockford FC 4-2 to prevent them from going to the final. However, one thing is for certain; the massive successes of the regular season are the start of more great things to come from Edgewater’s U23 program.
Women’s IWSL
The Women’s IWSL side also had massive success this year. During the regular season, they didn’t lose a single match; great play against teams like the Uncoachables (12-0 win) and the Stingrays (10-0 win) demonstrated the style of play the Rooks maintained. The Rooks at large look forward to competing at their high level of play going into next year.
Written By: Gareth Mullins