Kaneland's Olson too much for Rosary

The Kaneland girls soccer team needed no extra incentive when Rosary came to Maple Park on Monday afternoon.

Rosary ended the Knights' season the last two years.

"Actually, three out of the last four," Kaneland coach Scott Parillo said.

Brittany Olson scored twice in less than four minutes for the Knights in the opening half, and the senior co-captain added a third goal in heavy traffic late in the match to account for all the scoring in the Knights' 3-0 nonconference win.

"They are always one of our biggest rivals," Olson said of the Royals. "We play them again this weekend at the West Aurora tournament. I think we progressed pretty well. We capitalized on our opportunities."

Kaneland (1-1) nearly scored in the opening minutes, but Rosary keeper Lauren Frasca, the only senior starter in the program, stoned Courtney Diddel with a brilliant, sprawling save.

But Rosary, which dropped its third straight match to start the season, was having difficulties generating quality looks in the opening half.

Quincy Kellett, who has amassed 56 goals in her first two campaigns for Rosary, had the Royals' first shot on goal 12-plus minutes into the match.

Olson, though, was ready for her opportunity moments later.

The forward-mid headed in her first goal after Madison Jurcenko had her header clank off the crossbar.

Olson then doubled the Knights' lead 23 minutes and 20 seconds to play before halftime with a conversion set up by a Diddell cross.

"We were rusty," Parillo said of the Knights' start. "We had half the girls gone for spring break (last week) and didn't even practice. I'm pretty happy. We scored three. We should have had more. (We) missed a PK (penalty kick) and had another one called back for off-sides. I'm pretty happy. All the goals we scored were off rebounds and stuff like that."

Kaneland finished with 15 shots for the match.

Rosary is adjusting to heavy graduation losses as Kellett is one of the Royals' few viable options on offense, especially with key contributor Maria Witte not cleared to play yet.

"We lost a lot of seniors to graduation last year and we're having a little trouble (with the new varsity members) transitioning from JV," Kellett said. "We have some kinks to work out defensively. When I get the ball I have to take advantage of it."

Frasca had 7 saves for Rosary.

"It's only one game," Parillo said.

Olson completed her first career hat trick with 20:20 remaining.