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Glenbard West falls to York

Jessica Bianchi had bid farewell to soccer.

The York junior had fully immersed herself in basketball, but after a three-year hiatus from soccer, she finds herself back on the pitch this spring for the Dukes.

Remarkably, she's not just playing - she's dominating.

Bianchi scored twice on Tuesday to lead the Dukes to a 2-0 victory over Glenbard West in West Suburban Silver action in Elmhurst.

"I grew up playing soccer and watching my sister (Angela) play," Bianchi said. "I had quit playing, though, and finally came back this year after focusing on basketball. It's come back pretty easily for me."

Angela starred at York before moving onto Judson University, where her offensive prowess continues today. Apparently, the younger Bianchi can light up the net as well, with 12 goals this season.

"I'm just doing what I can to help our team win," she said.

York (8-5, 3-2) received a little help on its first score. Senior Jamie Kovatchis sent a booming free kick from 45 yards away into the penalty box. Glenbard West freshman goalkeeper Bailey Wallace, who has been thrust into the role because the team's other two keepers, Caroline Leland and Megan Sheline, are injured, fumbled the ball away and Bianchi pounced on it and scored.

"She's very sneaky so she's good at making plays like that," Kovatchis said. "We're pretty good at getting the girls in on those long kicks. I like taking them. They usually go pretty far."

Glenbard West had a decent amount of chances to net the equalizer. Senior midfielders Alex Levin and Zoe Pearson had two of the better opportunities, but neither could sneak a shot past York goalkeeper Anne DiCanio.

"We always hang with tough teams, and it's usually just a goal that decides it," Levin said. "We had some opportunities, but sometimes you're just unlucky. We had a few that we're just a little over or to the right. It happens, but I'm proud of how we battled."

Bianchi took any last-minute drama out of the match when she was able to spring free among the Hilltoppers' back line, dribble and then line in her second goal with 13:28 remaining.

"That gave us more breathing room," Kovatchis said. "This was a big win for us. We had a rough start to the season, but we're getting closer to where we hope to be. We're still a young team that's still learning how to play together, but we're progressing and hopefully we'll be ready by the playoffs."

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