One and done works for Neuqua Valley

Saturday's girls soccer game between Neuqua Valley and host Naperville Central held the promise of a fun midseason, nonconference matchup involving two of the best teams in Illinois.

This year's version of the Naperville rivalry game didn't live up to its promise.

"It wasn't a very pretty game," said Wildcats coach Joe Moreau, unhappy with his team's play. "I hope people got in for half price or something."

And that was the winning coach.

"It was like watching paint dry," Naperville Central coach Ed Watson said, shrugging off the loss. "There wasn't a lot. The ball wasn't on the ground. It was pinging around. Give them credit. They took advantage of the one opportunity that they had."

Junior Anna Toersloev's 30-yard free kick in the 11th minute gave Neuqua Valley a 1-0 victory. It also was one of the few shots on goal in the match.

"I was just aiming for the corners," said Toersloev, a foreign-exchange student from Denmark. "(Naperville Central goalkeeper Kinzly Dressler) set the wall kind of far out, so she was placed in the middle. That left the corners open."

"Their shot was a phenomenal shot, unfortunately," Watson added. "We were right on the line. We could see it as it left her and said, that's in. There aren't many girls that are going to save that."

That was the Wildcats' only shot on goal and one of only three shots they had against the Redhawks (7-2-1).

"(We worked) on quick touches, shooting, getting early crosses up. So it looked like we worked a lot on dribbling and just kicking the ball. And panicking," Moreau said.

So how did Neuqua Valley win?

"They didn't really have that much either. ... Our back line defended well, but we didn't distribute well," Moreau said, searching for an answer. "Great question."

"We could have done a lot better, both offensive and defensive," Toersloev agreed. "...We're much better than we showed today."

The game continued a trend of inconsistent play for the Wildcats (7-1-2). Play well one game, flat the next.

Neuqua Valley goalkeeper Hannah Parrish earned the shutout by making 3 saves, handling them easily.

The teams could play again next month in Class 3A Metea Valley sectional action. It will mean much more then.

"That's two relatively good just kind of having a fun, last nonconference game before it becomes for real next year," Watson said, noting Neuqua Valley is one of three teams joining the DuPage Valley Conference next year. "This game will mean something next year."

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