WW South gets win in OT
Wheaton Warrenville South came within two minutes of shutting out Glenbard North during Tuesday’s DuPage Valley Conference girls soccer match in Wheaton.
About 20 minutes later, Glenbard North fell just 30 seconds short of heading back to Carol Stream with a 1-1 draw.
The Tigers failed to win by shutout but stunned the Panthers with 28.6 seconds left in the second overtime as junior Caroline Holmes connected with freshman Anna Fank, who tallied the game-winner for a 2-1 victory.
“Caroline was wide open and she crossed it and I knew I had to get my butt over there, so I ran as hard as I could,” Fank said. “I took a touch and just sent it to the corner. It was like a little pass to the corner.”
Fank’s shot eluded Panthers goalkeeper Arian DePinto and allowed the Tigers to avoid the draw.
“They were able to take it all in and be calm,” Tigers coach Guy Callipari said. “Anna finds herself in a position of influence and does a much better job. She took her time and found the side netting.”
Wheaton Warrenville South (6-4-1, 3-1-0) committed a foul in the penalty area, which resulted in an Ashley Pogue penalty kick with just 2:03 remaining in regulation. Pogue converted her kick and gave the Panthers momentum heading into overtime.
“That kind of brought us down, but we pushed through it and really had most of the possessions the whole game,” Fank said. “We proved that we could do it and had intensity the whole game. We deserved it.”
Neither team could convert any of its chances in the opening half, and it remained scoreless until nearly midway through the second half. A.J. Jakuszewski finally put the Tigers on the scoreboard with 21:50 remaining. DePinto tried to bat a shot attempt away, but Jakuszewski pounced on it and sent a rebound shot past her.
Glenbard North (7-5-2, 2-2-1) may have come up short, but the Panthers continue to play competitively this spring in the DVC.
“We played well and it would be nice if we can finish strong in conference and stay healthy,” Panthers coach David Stanfield said. “Hopefully, we can get beyond the first round of the regional this year. That would be nice.”