Second-half surge lifts Larkin past Wheeling
A 3-goal second-half burst, ending with Elizabeth Baeza striking the go-ahead goal at 60 minutes, completed an exciting comeback to give Larkin a 3-2 victory Monday night in a nonconference girls soccer matchup at Wheeling.
"This would have likely been a loss during the past couple of seasons, but this group never gives up, and they showed that spirit tonight," said veteran Larkin coach Ken Hall, now in his 16th year in charge of the girls program. "You know, we did a lot of very good things in that first half but score. (Wheeling) had two chances, and finished both of them. That's the way in goes in this sport sometimes. But tonight we fought back and got ourselves a nice win."
The Royals (2-5-1) were in attack mode from the opening whistle as they looked played through the talented Samantha Moreno in the middle of the park. She used her creative flair, pace, and quality distribution to connect with teammates Tatiana Reynoso, Stephanie Nunez and freshman Angela Smith on a regular basis in the first period.
"Even though we controlled most of the first half, we couldn't find a way to score," said Moreno. "Coach Hall told us at halftime to keep doing what we were doing, but just get a little better with our passes and possession - and to keep shooting."
Wheeling (1-5-0) built a 2-goal advantage at the break on a pair of set-piece strikes and some solid play between the sticks from keeper Sonia Valencia.
"We were missing our starting center-back, which forced us to move Emily (Peterson) into the back line, which also took her out of the midfield, where she can hit a great long ball over the top," said Wheeling coach Dwayne Cruz. "Sonia was terrific all night long, stopping a couple of quality chances, especially in that first half. But we just couldn't hold that lead that we built."
Peterson drove a 40-yard free kick over Larkin keeper Alex Sharp in the 19th minute before Kelli Pietrowski doubled the Cats' lead nine minutes later when she unloaded a low free kick smash through the Royals' wall.
Just before the break, defender Daisy Silva tracked and tackled Nunez to save a potential one-on-one between Nunez and Valencia.
The momentum suddenly flipped in favor of Larkin just after intermission when Morena steered in her right-footed strike from the right side past a diving Valenica. Nunez got the equalizer some six minutes later from almost the exact same spot on the pitch.
"We were playing with so much confidence up until their first goal, then you could see the girls body language change afterward," said Cruz. "That's the biggest issue we have here - changing the culture, and how to manage and protect a lead. Once we learn how to do that, you'll see this program turn around for good."
The Cats had their troubles defending a well-aimed corner by Smith into the 6-yard box, and their inability to clear the area allowed Baeza to find the back of the net at the hour mark to give the Royals the lead.
Larkin survived a frantic 80th minute when Wheeling created two deep throws and a corner in its search to get even. But the Royals managed to keep the Wildcats from getting too a quality chance at Sharp.
"It was important that we got that first goal, and six minutes into the second half, because it gave the girls some much-needed confidence and momemtum, which continued the rest of the second half," said Hall.
"It was a good win and an exciting game, and it's great to see the girls play like they did tonight and come away with a victory."
Larkin will be at Leyden tonight for its consolation bracket second-round match in the PepsiCo Showdown, while the Wildcats have the night off before going to Conant on Wednesday for an MSL crossover in Hoffman Estates.