Nazareth seniors Brianna Tovar and Claire Ramsey have been longtime friends and teammates on the soccer field.
Competing on the varsity team for their fourth season together, Tovar and Ramsey strengthen their bond by also playing for Oak Brook Soccer Club.
Many years ago, when they were starting out in the sport, Tovar and Ramsey were not as cordial on the pitch.
“We have known each other for a very long time, but we were once rivals growing up in grade school and having to (always) play against each other,” said Ramsey, a Clarendon Hills resident. “I think we have seen each other grow and change.”
Both players share many similarities that helped further forge their friendship and help them mesh well on the soccer field. Tovar said both have brothers who played soccer, and both have watched Nazareth’s program evolve since their freshman season.
The Roadrunners have won 13, 16 and 17 games in the last three seasons, winning a Class 1A sectional title last season before falling to eventual state champion Wheaton Academy in the supersectionals.
“We want to go far (in the playoffs),” Tovar said. “We have come a long way since our freshman year. We were good, but now we have gotten a lot better. We thought last year was our year.”
Ramsey added: “We’re hoping to get back to supersectionals this year.”
The Roadrunners’ assistant coaches are sharing duties this season in the absence of head coach John Nikchevich, who is out with health issues.
“We came into the season just wanting to build off last season,” Nazareth assistant coach Julie Schiffler said. “John, unfortunately, has some health concerns, and he talked to the girls before the season to make everybody aware of different transitions that were going to be going on.”
Tovar said the Roadrunners have an extra edge to them because of Nikchevich’s absence.
“Our coach is in the hospital, and we all have him in our hearts and are playing for him,” Tovar said.
At 8-2 on the season following a 3-2 win over Deerfield and a 2-1 win over Lane in the PepsiCo Showdown, the Roadrunners attribute part of their strong start to five freshmen — Lizzie Cipra, Julia Olander, Grace Heery, Holly Skrip and Amanda DeCesare — working well together with the upperclassmen. Schiffler credits Tovar and Ramsey, who scored 29 goals last season, for making the younger players’ adjustment to varsity smoother.
“Brianna and Claire have played with each other a lot,” Schiffler said. “They are two very good leaders, on and off the field. Their roles have slightly changed. John has looked to them to take on more responsibility, on and off the field.
“Taking on that responsibility, they know they have to take control of the game, help other players out because we have a lot of freshmen, and have to set an example for them.”
Tovar has no plans to play soccer in college, but Ramsey said she will attempt to walk on at Michigan. Before that, they both are looking to lead Nazareth on another deep postseason run.
“We’ve been learning and building and helping out the younger players,” Ramsey said. “We have a lot of new players, but we clicked right away and that helped our team.”
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter @Pioneer_Press
