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Wolves regroup for victory (+ Niles West team page)
Daniel Rozen
This Week
Niles West
FOOTBALL
Friday
Hosts Maine West, 7 p.m.
BOYS and GIRLS CROSS COUNTRY
Tuesday
Hosts Quad w/New Trier, Evanston, Glenbrook South, 4:30 p.m.
BOYS GOLF
Saturday
At Zion Benton (Zee-Bee Invite) at Shepherd’s Crook C.C., 7:30 a.m.
Tuesday
Hosts New Trier at Willow Hill, 4 p.m.
Thursday (9/13)
Hosts Maine South at Willow Hill, 4 p.m.
BOYS SOCCER
Today
Hosts Maine West, 7 p.m.
Saturday
At Pepsi Showdown, TBA
Tuesday
At Pepsi Showdown, TBA
Thursday (9/13)
At Pepsi Showdown, TBA
GIRLS SWIMMING/DIVING
Saturday
Hosts Niles West Invite, Dive 9 a.m.; Swim 1 p.m.
GIRLS TENNIS
Today
Hosts Elmwood Park, 4:30 p.m.
Monday
At Regina, 4:30 p.m.
Tuesday
At Glenbrook South, 4:30 p.m.
Thursday (9/13)
Hosts Waukegan, 4:30 p.m.
GIRLS VOLLEYBALL
Tuesday
At Glenbrook South, 6 p.m.
Thursday (9/13)
At Maine South, 6 p.m.
Article Extras
Updated: October 7, 2012 6:44AM
SKOKIE — It takes a lot of mental toughness and hard work to win a football game, especially when facing off against a rival.
But Niles West players had to display an extra level of toughness against Niles North in the annual Skokie Skirmish on Saturday because they saw most of their early 23-point lead disappear in the second quarter. The Vikings made a ferocious comeback before the Wolves added a late score to hold on in a 30-21 victory.
The embodiment of that mental toughness and hard work is 5-foot-9 junior receiver Andrew Milhulet, who caught eight passes for 87 yards and a touchdown.
It was Milhulet who sparked the Wolves (2-0) offense on the opening scoring drive with catches of four, six, and 29 yards. It was also Milhulet who stepped up during the most crucial drive of the game, which took place early in the fourth quarter.
The Wolves were clinging to a 23-21 lead after the Vikings (1-1) scored three unanswered touchdowns. But Milhulet gave Niles West, which hadn’t scored since the first quarter, a boost with a 17-yard catch. Tommy Williams followed that with a 34-yard grab, and the drive was capped off with a nine-yard touchdown completion from quarterback Mike McGivern to Milhulet with 9:28 left to play.
Hard as it was to watch their opponent score three touchdowns and a cut a 23-0 lead to just two points, Milhulet said his team was mentally prepared for such a challenge.
“We never stopped believing,” Milhulet said. “In the locker room they told us all the hard work we put into practice would pay off, and it did.”
When the final seconds ticked off the clock and Niles West was presented with the Skokie Skirmish trophy, Milhulet was beaming with pride.
“It’s like a movie, seeing how hard work pays off like this.,” he said. “This means so much to us.”
Milhulet was quick to give praise to the coaching staff, saying they devised a perfect game plan. But he saved a little praise for himself.
“I got open when I needed to get open and I made the catches I needed to make. I’ll give myself some credit for that.”
Names and Faces
EMMA HELGESON
Noteworthy efforts: The sophomore girls swimmer set three personal bests in the Aug. 30 road dual against Northside College Prep, in the 200 medley relay, the 200 individual medley, and the 100 freestyle. ALEXA BITS & KRISTINE PARK
Noteworthy efforts: Bits, a senior, and Park, a junior, the Wolves’ No. 1 doubles team, are 7-2 through their first nine matches. They went 1-1 on Friday at the Buffalo Grove quad.
Quick Hits
Big Numbers
9 | The number of Niles West boys soccer players sidelined with injuries. That includes five starters. The injury-depleted lineup posted a record of 2-3 in its first five games.
Sound Bites
“I think as a doubles team they’re really starting to gain a certain sense of chemistry between them.”
— Niles West girls tennis coach George Bravos on Alexa Bits and Kristine Park
Don’t Miss
Saturday Girls swimming: Niles West Invite, 9 a.m. and 1 p.m.
Saturday Boys soccer: Niles West vs. St. Charles North in Pepsi Showdown, Lyons High School, 10:15 a.m.
Culture Grid: Daniel Rozen
Rozen is a senior center midfielder who has played on the Wolves’ varsity team for three seasons.
If you could play a different fall sport, what would it be ? “Football, because I would love to be the kicker on the team or even be a wide reciever.”
Who is your biggest supporter and how does he or she show that support? “My father, because all he does is push me to my limits and he believes in me.”
If you could be a superhero, what superpower would you want? “I would want to have super speed, especially for soccer.”
What’s your favorite book of all time ? “ ‘Hunger Games,’ because it is so suspenseful.”Do you work with any charities or volunteer your time for any causes? “I love to help out at Cambridge, which is a retirement home. My grandpa is currently staying there and (I) help him out along with others.”
