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Wheaton North savors victory against Naperville Central

Thursday night's 1-0 victory by the Wheaton North girls soccer team over host Naperville Central is another example of what kind of season it has been for the Falcons.

It was the first win by the Falcons over the Redhawks since 2006, the season Wheaton North finished third in state. After finishing just below .500 last year, Wheaton North stands at 7-1-2 so far this spring and 2-0 in the DuPage Valley Conference.

"It's been a few years (since beating Naperville Central). We have a really good team and have been competitive," said Falcons coach Tim McEvilly.

The Redhawks (7-3-1, 1-1) spent most of the first half in the Falcons' half of the field, but Wheaton North struck the back of the net for the winning goal with 8:29 left in the first half on a direct free kick by senior Lexi Pelafas.

"On the shot I needed to aim for the upper-left corner of the net because the wall (of players) was blocking," Pelafas said.

She said this season's edition of the Falcons is a special squad.

"Every single person has the same goal and that's to win the DVC and go as far as we can in state. This is a family. And I have never been on a high school team with this much connection," Pelafas said.

McEvilly said Pelafas, a 2014 all-state selection who will play in college at Central Michigan, has become much more selective with her shots.

"Lexi has come into her own. She just tried to play before, but now she's under control and trying to find spots," he said.

Naperville Central led in shots on goal 12-4. Winning goalie Zoe Welsh made 8 of her 12 saves in the second half. McEvilly believes that the Falcons could have added to their score in the final 40 minutes.

"We had a few chances to get a goal in the second half, We just missed that last touch needed," he said.

Naperville Central's best chances to score in the second half came from Mackenzie Sisko, whose shot was stopped by Welsh. Alison Kincaide was right there close to Welsh to defend any rebound.

About six minutes later, Taylor Stenmark passed to Meridith Hannan, whose shot Welsh punched away. Kathleen Conforti was also right near Welsh ready to pounce on the rebound.

Redhawks coach Ed Watson said his team must improve its scoring chances. The game was the second straight contest that Naperville Central was shut out.

"It's about quality shots and I saw one quality shot by us in the second half," he said.

Naperville Central is at Oswego at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday. Wheaton North returns to action when it hosts Hinsdale Central at 7 p.m. Thursday in the Naperville Invitational.

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