Father McGivney's Sophia Rosette bats a pass against Gibeau in Glen Carbon.
Matt Kamp/Intelligencer
An 18-5-4 season that saw the team set program records for wins, goals scored and shutouts came to an end for Father McGivney with a loss to eventual Class 1A state champion Althoff in a shootout in the district semifinals.
“We're that close,” FMCHS coach Matt McVicar said.
With all but one senior set to return in 2025, the Griffins will look to take the next step toward the program's first state tournament appearance.
Article continues below this ad
Among the returning players are sophomore forward Sophia Rosett and junior midfielder Rachel Kretzer, who were Intelligencer Magazine's co-MVPs for small girls soccer.
A Chicagoland Soccer Watch List selection and IHSSCA All-Sectional selection, Rosette led the Griffins with 20 goals, 11 assists and 51 total points, a single-season program record surpassed only by 2023 senior Natalie Beck's 52 points.
The Rosette's sophomore breakout came after missing the final 11 games of his freshman season with an ankle injury, after he had four goals and seven assists prior to the injury.
“[Rosette]is back with something to prove,” McVicar said. “She started really strong for us last year and then missed the second half of the season, including the playoffs, with an ankle injury. I know she was anxious to come back.”
Article continues below this ad
Coach McVicar has overseen a healthy and rejuvenated Rosette this season.
“This season she's become more mature and more aggressive,” McVicar said.
That aggressiveness paid off for the Griffins, who started the season without sophomore forward Natalie Beck, who was sidelined with an injury after scoring a program-record 24 goals in a season as a freshman, including five in a region championship win over Mater Dei.
“With Natalie unavailable she took over at centre-forward and was just a hard worker, working hard for goals,” McVicar said.
Article continues below this ad
Rosette has scored in 14 games this season, including multiple goals in five games, and had a hat trick in a win over Maryville Christian on May 18.
In Gateway Metro Conference play, Rosette recorded nine goals and six assists, helping FMCHS win its first conference championship after sharing the league lead with Marquette Catholic last season.
Rosette scored two goals in Father McGivney's regional championship win over Wesclynn.
“She was a force for us in every way and the heartbeat of the team,” McVicar said. “She didn't want to come off the field and was trying to do everything she could to help the team.”
Article continues below this ad
Forming a one-two punch with Rosette was Krezer, who was in his first season with the team after transferring from Edwardsville.
Krezer finished the season with 15 goals and 11 assists for 41 points, which is fourth-most in program history in a single season.
“Rachel has been a tremendous contributor for us,” McVicar said of Krezer, who was listed on the Chicagoland Soccer Watch List as a junior.
Rosette and Krezer combined for 35 goals, second-most among FMCHS teammates behind Beck and Adeline Speight's 38 goals last season.
Article continues below this ad
Kretzzer's success with the Griffins came as a result of him taking over as coach early in the season.
“We tried using her in attack and it just didn't work. We just needed to find the right player,” McVicar said. “We put her in midfield and everything started to click.”
The move came just two games into Father McGivney's season opener, a 2-0 loss to Mascotah, and a 4-0 win over Murphysboro, with Kretzer helping to secure the win.
Krezer has scored a goal in 10 games this season, including back-to-back hat tricks in wins over Maryville Christian and Wesclin in the postseason opener, making her the first Griffins player to score hat tricks in consecutive postseason games.
Article continues below this ad
“She did a great job moving the ball from side to side and her free kicks were fantastic too. She was a big contributor and really led the team,” McVicar said.
With Kretzer and Rosett returning next season, along with all but one graduating senior, the Griffins are poised to raise the bar even higher.
“A lot has changed in the last three years. A couple of years we barely had enough players to make a varsity team and we struggled to find players,” McVicar said. “Now we're on a winning streak and having a lot of success. Other schools are starting to recognize us. All of the players that have come through this program have helped us achieve that.”
Article continues below this ad
