Schlageter stars for the North Stars

Evanston's Marique Stephenson dribbles through St. Charles North's defense at the Barrington Classic on Monday.
Scott Powers/For the Sun-Times

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Vladamir Schlageter never really felt like a member of the St. Charles North soccer team last season.

He wasn’t brought up to varsity until late in the season and played little during the North Stars’ run to the state quarterfinals. He never contributed statically on the field nor did he feel a part of the team’s bond, which included everyone else donning a Mohawk.

Two games into this season, Schlageter feels a lot more at home in his St. Charles North uniform.

Like everyone else, Schlageter began the year by shaving his head, leaving only a narrow streak of hair and dyed it blue. Then on Monday, Schlageter came through with his first varsity goal, one that possessed meaning for himself and his team.

Schlageter scored the game-winner for No. 2 St. Charles North in a 2-0 win over Evanston with a diving header into the goal’s right corner in the first day of the Barrington Classic Soccer Tournament.

“It’s a good feeling,” said Schlageter, a senior forward. “I just wanted to get it out of the way. The first goal is always the hardest.” Schlageter did make it look easy, though. After Luis Ramirez sent the right corner kick into the box, Schlageter dove straight into the ball, flicked his left and sent the shot into the net.

It would be the only goal Schlageter would capitalize on, but he was someone Evanston's defense had to keep a close eye throughout the night.

“The kid when he’s running on all cylinders is tough to contain,” St. Charles North coach Eric Willson said. “He was giving Evanston fits all game.”

The North Stars (2-0) pressured Evanston early, but only came up with the one goal in the first half. As the game progressed, the Wildkits (1-1) were able to create more and more chances of their own. Evanston senior forward Chris Henrichs was responsible for a number of his team’s goal opportunities.

But in the end, North Stars goalkeeper Tyler McEnery came through with save after save to keep his shutout intact.

To give St. Charles North some breathing room late in the game, Ramirez scored in the 71st minute to put the North Stars ahead 2-0.

The North Stars’ tough schedule will continue today. After beating rival Geneva 3-2 on Saturday, St. Charles North will face the Vikings again at Barrington on Tuesday night.

“They’ll be looking for blood,” Schlageter said. “They’ll want revenge.”

It’s the sort of competition Willson wants for his team right now.

“We want to play the best,” he said. “I’m definitely a believer in you want to be battle tested come regionals and sectionals.”