Fank, WW South size up their advantage
Even growing up Wheaton Warrenville South junior Anna Fank said she had a size advantage on the soccer field.
The forward put her nearly 6-foot frame to good use on Friday, scoring the lone goal in the Tigers' 1-0 DuPage Valley Conference victory over Lake Park in Wheaton.
Accepting junior midfielder Rachel Deeman's pass along the right sideline, Fank held off her mark while dribbling and cut sharp left toward the middle. From 20 yards out Fank lined a left-footed blast head high, right of the reach of Lancers goalkeeper Gabby Yates at the 38:35 mark of the first half.
"When I got the ball I was a little far out so I was looking for a cross, but I didn't see anyone when I got my head up. So I turned in, just took a shot at it like Coach (Guy Callipari) always says, just shoot. So, hoping for the best," Fank said.
"I've always been bigger than the other girls," she said. "I've had to deal with referees calling (fouls) on me because I'm much bigger. But I guess that's just something I'm going to have to learn how to deal with. I feel like I've developed in that aspect and I'm learning how to use my size to my advantage."
Lake Park (2-5-1, 0-2) pressured early, junior midfielder Jacey Kent following a WW South hand ball call with a 35-yard free kick smothered by Tigers goalkeeper Nell Rosenthal in the first four minutes.
The remainder of the first half WW South (3-1, 1-1) got the chances. Fank sent several on or at the goal as did Deeman and senior Alexis Jakuszewski. Lake Park defenders blocked Nicole Molino's shot and Sarah Burns' close-in follow before they reached Yates, who made 9 saves on the day to 1 by Rosenthal.
"We had a few opportunities out there, didn't necessarily capitalize on them, but I thought that we defended well as a unit," said Lake Park coach Chris Fruehling. "I thought our goalie had some really nice saves to keep us in the game. We would love to have come out with a different result, but I was really proud of their effort today."
Particularly since Lake Park's last game was a 7-0 home loss to Naperville North.
"I think we definitely have a lot to work on, but I think this is a great start for a winning streak in our season, so I'm excited about it," said the Lancers' St. Francis University-bound senior Casey Harris.
In the scoreless second half WW South put 3 shots on Yates and allowed none. Callipari would have preferred greater offensive rhythm and creativity but was more pleased with what he called a "must-win" following a draining 2-1 loss to rival Wheaton North.
"They did enough to get the win and that's what I said - you're not going to remember whether it was 9-nothing or 1-nothing," Callipari said. "The fact that you won in an important moment in your season, that's what's important. So now we move forward from here."