Friars, Huskies renew their old rivalry

Fenwick certainly doesn’t walk to many of its girls soccer games, but the Friars will do just that if the weather is pleasant enough Thursday.

The regular-season finale for both teams ends with a neighborhood battle. Fenwick (12-7-2) will visit Oak Park-River Forest (10-4-2) at 6 p.m. in an annual game that hopes to draw interest from all around the soccer community.

“We show the kids in the stands that this could be you in a couple of years,” said OPRF coach Paul Wright. “It’s such a neat experience. We usually play on a Friday, but because of Fenwick’s prom, we moved it to Thursday.”

OPRF has won all four games against Fenwick in Wright’s five years as coach. Fenwick’s Robert Watson will experience his first crosstown classic as girls head coach, but has watched the rivalry blossom as an annual affair in the last six years as the boys coach.

“It’s always a good rivalry,” Watson said. “There is usually not more than a one or two goal difference. The kids have a lot of fun and the fans have a lot of fun.”

The Friars have won three consecutive games, and could win the East Suburban Catholic depending on how other teams fare.

Both Fenwick and OPRF will be well-rested for the game at Memorial Stadium. Fenwick defeated Benet 1-0 on Saturday on Mary Kate Hussey’s goal. The Huskies played Maine South to a 0-0 tie Saturday, two days after losing to Lyons 1-0, which eliminated OPRF from West Suburban Silver title contention.

Players on both teams know each other after growing up as teammates or opponents on AYSO teams. All OPRF and Fenwick students will be admitted free of charge with an ID. All youth AYSO or traveling soccer players wearing a jersey also will be admitted free. Proceeds from the game will be split between the two schools and go toward each soccer program.

Wright said the game took on renewed interest two years ago, once synthetic turf and lights were added to Memorial Stadium.

“We like to make a big deal about it,” Wright said. “This year, it’s after sectional seeding, and there is no worry about the playoffs. All the players are Facebook friends and bragging rights are at stake.”

The only way the two teams could meet again would be in the IHSA Class 3A York Sectional final. OPRF received the No. 2 sectional seed, and will play 15th-seeded Farragut or 18th-seeded Proviso East in the St. Ignatius Regional semifinal at 4:30 p.m. May 17.

Fifth-seeded Fenwick in on the other side of the sectional bracket and will open the playoffs at 7 p.m. May 17 against 12th-seeded De La Salle at Hinsdale Central.

The Huskies could receive a boost from the possible return of senior midfielder Jessica Luttrell, a Davidson recruit, who has missed the entire season due to a broken foot. Luttrell returned to practice last week

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