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Karr, Christian Liberty add to fast start

With a pair of first-half goals from Valerie Karr and stingy defense in front of keepers Becky Davis and Cassie Swiderek, the Christian Liberty girls soccer team was able to secure a 2-0 victory over visiting Illinois Math and Science Academy on Tuesday in Arlington Heights.

"This is a pretty exciting time for us right now," said Christian Liberty junior Maddie Bennett, who was in the middle of both goals for the hosts, who are off to a 3-0-0 start in the Northeastern Athletic Conference.

"Almost all of us have been together for three straight years now, and that is maybe the biggest reason for our success thus far," added Bennett, who is the ultimate 80 minute box-to-box player who appears to enjoy every minute of the game. "I really like playing soccer, but this year, it's even more fun because of the way we've come together as a team. And with us winning more than we ever have before."

The Chargers' second consecutive shutout was possible in part due to solid work from the backline of Emma DeRidder, Carly Adelsburger, Karr and Swiderek.

They managed to keep the strong attacking unit of Caitlin O'Callaghan, Marissa Brock and Natasha Freund and Laura Lehman from getting any quality looks on frame during the first half.

"We were missing two key players who we could have really helped us today," said Titans coach Sal Tamayo, whose club (1-4-0, 1-1-0) was coming off its first victory (6-5) over Keith last week. "But even without them, we didn't play our best soccer in the first half. We gave up that early goal, then later a penalty kick, which I wasn't too sure about. But I didn't feel we should argue the call.

"We had to bring up a couple of players from our junior varsity to fill the spots of the girls we were missing, so it took us a while to find our game. But I thought in the second half, we did a good job of keeping the ball in their end and forcing them to defend. We just didn't do enough when we got the ball deep in their end."

The Chargers, with midfielder Bennett's distribution, pace and energy, created a steady supply of half chances as they dominated possession in the first half-hour.

Bennett ran up the right side, then crossed a wonderful ball to an unmarked Karr, who drove her shot just under the bar in the third minute to give the Chargers the early advantage.

"It's always nice to score early," said Chargers coach Aaron DeRidder. "It was the type of momentum you look for. And for us, it gave the entire team the confidence going forward for the rest of the first half."

Swiderek headed wide a Bennett corner seven minutes after Karr found the back of the net. CLA continued to pour into the Titans' end with each time it had the ball.

IMSA's best opportunity of the first period came when O'Callaghan rattled the bar in the 19th minute. That chance came when the Titans' striker unloaded a well-aimed free kick just wide of the post after Freund was fouled just outside the edge.

Sam Amelin was sent to the spot after Bennett was sandwiched by a pair of IMSA defenders in the 33rd minute. The junior easily converted her penalty kick attempt to send Christian Liberty into the break with a 2-goal advantage.

The Titans' attack came alive in the second period, spening most of the first 15 minutes in the Chargers' end.

Brock went wide, just moments after Swiderek took over for Becky Davis between the sticks.

A few minutes later, Tamayo switched his keeper Theodora Khan with Lehman. He sent Khan up top to give the Titans fresh legs, and an extra-attacking player with the hope of cutting the Chargers' lead in half.

Swiderek looked comfortable during four save situations when called upon.

"It's an entirely different feeling around this team this year so far," DeRidder said. "We lost just one senior from a year ago, and everyone knows each other so much better, and the girls are learning to play to each others' strengths.

"Last year, we lost to Woodlands at the end, then came back and beat them 3-0 to start this season. That win seemed to energize the entire team, and it's something we've been building from ever since."

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