Loyola’s Stevens holding the defense down

Updated: May 3, 2011 10:21AM

Carly Stevens hates giving up goals so much that doing so puts her in a bad mood for days.

The Loyola senior has worn a smile for most of the season. That’s because Stevens entered this week with 17 shutouts and has surrendered only two goals as the Ramblers raced to a 16-0-3 record.

“She likes the pressure and thrives on it,” Loyola coach Craig Snower said.

“If she allows a goal, she’s disgusted. She will pound her fists into the ground. But that’s what makes her good.”

Loyola is enjoying one of its best seasons in program history, thanks in large part to the all-stater Stevens. The Ramblers recently earned the No. 1 seed at the Evanston Sectional and will be looking for their first-ever trip to the state tournament.

“I don’t think there’s a goalie for a top-tier team that has made an impact

anywhere like the one Carly has had for us,” the coach said of the three-year starter.

A field player growing up in the game, Stevens switched to goalie when she

played for a Lake Forest youth team. Other than a stretch when she played forward as a Loyola freshman after breaking her finger, Stevens has been a fixture in front of the net. She came into this week having started 70 matches in a row.

“I was 12 years old and the coach threw me in at goal because the other one wasn’t doing so well,” Stevens remembered. “I ended up being good at it, and I’ve loved it ever since.

“It’s definitely a change from playing forward, but I love saving the play and being that person. I couldn’t imagine playing anywhere else now.”

Snower puts Stevens in the same company as former Loyola keeper Emma McGuire

and former New Trier goalie Alison Eckenhoff. Still, he ranks the Loyola-bound Stevens “by far the best” goalie he’s coached. In the offseason Stevens plays for FC United, where she works with keeper coach Richard Drake.

“He’s taught me so much,” the 5-foot-8 Stevens said. “He’s made me the goalie I am today.”

For her career at Loyola, Stevens has 63 wins and 52 shutouts. She’s allowed less than a goal per match as a starter.

“There are ones with better technique and more size, but I have never seen one who could impact the game like she can,” Snower said. “She can save shots, but she prevents shots with her ability to control the box. She is the best breakaway and PK goalie I have ever seen at this level.”

Anchored by Stevens, Loyola won the Pepsi Showdown for the second time in

three seasons. The tournament MVP gave up one goal to Plainfield North, and

the Ramblers beat Lyons 1-0 in the title match.

But Stevens shares the credit with her teammates, especially the defensive efforts of Jill Stevens, Annie Manganaro, Corey Burns, Abby Blabolil and Grace Smith.

“We all work together,” Stevens said. “I couldn’t imagine a better defense in front of me.”

Once the regular season ends May 9 against Maine South, Loyola starts the playoffs May 17 at home.

“We are really excited with what we’ve done so far this year,” Stevens said.

“But we know we have a lot of work to do. I want to keep up the good work and keep playing games.”

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