St. Viator, Stevenson look toward league showdowns
With their postseason seeds already locked in, both St. Viator and Stevenson seemed focused on the tasks ahead rather than the one at hand during their annual nonconference soccer match in Arlington Heights on Monday afternoon.
This is a big week for both teams, with conference championships in the balance. And that remained the goal for both squads after the Lions registered a 2-1 victory over the visiting Patriots.
The hosts ran their win streak to four matches after first-half goals from Katelyn Hammerlund and Meghan McGrath did in the visitors, who'd shocked the Lions just two minutes into the match when Missy Loretto scored from in close.
"This team is really beginning to come together," said Hammerlund, a sophomore who drew the Lions even at 22 minutes when she soared to thump a header past keeper Jordan Jabeck after McGrath found her mate with a long-range free kick.
"I think all of us are finally understanding what coach (Mike Taylor) is expecting of us, and lately our communication has really improved, and we're just playing the way we are capable of playing."
The Lions have an important date at Nazareth on Wednesday. Nazareth stands atop the ESCC heading into the final week of the regular season, while the Patriots (9-4-1) have much of the same awaiting this week as well in the North Suburban Conference.
"We have to face both Lake Zurich and Warren this week, with victories moving us that much closer to the NSC championship match, so today, it was more important for us to get everyone in the match, and to come away from here in good health," said Pats coach Mark Schartner, who succeeded on both fronts.
Loretto took advantage of some confusion in the Lions' end to score past keeper Stephanie Shanahan.
The Lions (12-8-1), though, didn't fall apart after the careless giveaway, and with Hammarlund's tireless work and industrious play combined with teammates Taylor Skala and freshmen Chloe Luthringshausen providing pace up top, it wasn't long until the hosts equalized and then took the lead for good.
McGrath elevated to redirect a header off a well-struck corner by Ariana Kulinczenko just after the half hour, and just moments before the break, Jabeck, who had recorded 3 shutouts in her four matches played, saved a Skala attempt at the back post to keep her club within shouting distance.
The Patriots, who'd found both Loretto and top scorer Katie Krejsa with ease in the first quarter-hour of play, were unable to do so in the second-half, with Hammerlund, Molly McMahon and Jackie Tumberger having a lot to do with that.
Schartner continued to bring players on as the veteran time head coach stayed with his pre-match plan to keep everyone fresh for the week ahead.
"We accomplished what we wanted to do, and now we will be that much fresher for our two big NSC matches this week," said Schartner, who has seen his club battle plenty of injuries all throughout the season.
Lizzi Sanscrainte, who missed some time herself as the Pats' starting keeper, looked solid in her 40 minutes of work in the second half, highlighted by a strong challenge off her line late in the match to clear an attempt by Skala.
"We're rounding into shape at the most important time of the season, and we have seen improvement each time out during the past two weeks," said Taylor.