Perille, Rebsamen make it happen for Rolling Meadows

A Madeline Rebsamen goal sandwiched between a pair from Kat Perille proved more than enough as host Rolling Meadows defeated Elk Grove 3-0 in a Mid-Suburban East girls soccer matchup match on the turf at Robert A. Hoese Stadium on Friday.

The Mustangs (3-4-1, 2-3-0-6 points) were ahead in the 12th minute when Perille beat keeper Cassie Slattery to a 50-50 ball just inside the box before steering in her first goal of the day. Rolling Meadows maintained control the rest of the way to earn 3 points in the divisional standings.

"It's slowly coming for us," said Meadows coach Michael Drenth, who says the play of Perille, Claire Preissing and others has given his club a shot in the arm of late. "Claire got off to a slow start, but she's been playing at a higher level of late for us top, which helps open things up for others. Claire is doing all the little things for us in the middle, the dirty work which is often overlooked but greatly appreciated by everyone."

While the Mustangs currently going in one direction, the Grens (2-7-1, 1-4-1) are headed in another after suffering their fifth shutout of the season.

"It's been a long, tough week for us, and right now we look mentally and physically tired, so a few days off might be just what we need," said assistant Laura Szwaja, filling in for head coach Dan Klaus, who left just before the final whistle to attend a family function. "We struggle a lot because of our youth and inexperience, but hopefully better times are ahead as we continue to go forward."

Klaus' starting lineup featured five of the eight freshmen on his roster. And injuries to his top newcomers, Amanda Sitkowski and Zoe Blomquist, lefts the Grens with a shortened bench.

The Grens actually had the better of it in the early going, with freshman Kelly Walter delivering a handful of well-aimed ball out of the middle to her forwards. The most dangerous serve found Leila Aguilar, who nearly beat the last defender on a nice ball over the top from Walter.

Perille soon dashed the hopes of the visitors with her first goal. Soon after, Rebsamen doubled the Mustangs' advantage when she drove home her short-range shot after Teresa Perille rattled the bar, the rebound spilling just out of range of Slattery.

"We've been working a lot on our possession and passing, and even though we've had some trouble scoring goals, we're starting to come together with our attack," said Kat Perille, a sophomore. "Today might have been the best we've been at creating and scoring this season so far."

Klaus would move Slattery up top in favor of Abby Smola to give the Grens' attack a little jolt. Moments after the keeper switch, Slattery, a junior, got a chance but chipped over Meadows keeper Kelsey Nallon, and over the bar.

Perille made it 3-0 following the Slattery attempt.

"We played our best half of soccer the other night against Fremd, so we can play well against good teams," said Drenth. "But we need to do it for 80 minutes to be better - especially next week, when we have BG, Conant and Barrington."

Palatine 2, Fremd 1: The host Pirates took a 2-1 lead into halftime and made it hold up to capture a second straight Kinsella Cup triumph in Mid-Suburban League play.

Mackenzie Filian scored with an assist from Carly Iacullo for the first Palatine goal; the second came from Kellie Reynolds, assisted by Michelle Raymond.

The Vikings (4-4 overall, 4-2 MSL) scored on an unassisted goal from Katie Zara.

Kelsey Stone stopped 7 shots for Fremd, and Francesca Falato stopped 3 shots for Palatine (4-4, 4-1-1).

Buffalo Grove 8, Wheeling 0: Sarah O'Connor scored 3 goals and assist on another as the Bison rolled in MSL East play. Kara Tyner scored twice, and Georgette Topalis and Gina Bolis both had 1 goal and 1 assist while Cassie Berman earned a shutout.

Schaumburg 1, Conant 1: Saxons keeper Christina Kim stopped 17 shots and Kennedy Irmen score with an assist from Brittany Reinhart to help Schaumburg earn a tie with Conant.

The Cougars' goal was supplied by Emily Mazurek, and keeper Haley Anderson made 3 saves.

Hersey 1, Hoffman Estates 0: Abby Wendell's unassisted goal was the difference, at it kept Hersey (9-2-1 overall) unbeaten in the MSL at 5-0.