Preparation paying off for victorious Warren

Warren's girls soccer team is starting to see the benefits of playing a rugged schedule.

The Blue Devils shut out Maine South 2-0 in a nonconference match in Park Ridge on Thursday night.

Teagon Albert and Valentina Rodriguez scored, while Abby Vrabel picked up an assist. Keeper Liz Carrano earned her seventh clean sheet by making 7 stops.

"We tested a few different things out here before we go into the regional," said Warren coach Ryan McCabe, whose team improved to 10-7-2. "I think we're moving into the right direction. That's the whole point of getting the last couple of games in before we get into next week. Our young group needs to understand what they can and can't do. I think things are paying off now. That's why we played a tough schedule."

Warren plays its regular-season finale at Deerfield at 4:45 p.m. today and will open the postseason with regional play at Fremd next Tuesday at 7 p.m.

The Blue Devils started quickly on a wet and rainy night against Maine South (14-5-3), scoring in the fourth minute, as Albert finished a rebound chance. Rodriguez scored in the 54th minute after taking a pass from Vrabel.

"I was looking for the space,"Rodriguez said. "Abby got the ball and I made the run. I got the ball and put it in the net."

Rodriguez is a big part of the midfield for the Blue Devils. She has seen the team come together and get better as the season has progressed.

"We have always had good chemistry," Rodriguez said. "Good teams are like family. We support each other always. Our possession out there is all from work and training."

On the defensive side of the ball, the Blue Devils are glad to have Alexis Strothers leading the back line and playing in front of Carrano. Warren's other defenders include Becca Pineau, Natalie McNally and Lindsay Ditmars.

"We read the ball very well," Carrano said. "We cover for each other. But our speed in the back definitely helps. (Strothers) is so strong. She's the rock in front of me. She can read the play better than most people and can clear it when we need it."