Girls soccer: Karr, Christian Liberty handle Westminster Christian
Valerie Karr struck twice to help Christian Liberty Academy's girls soccer team win its Northeastern Athletic Conference opener 3-1 over visiting Westminster Christian on Thursday afternoon in Arlington Heights.
Maddie Bennett also got on the scoresheet for the Chargers (4-3-1, 1-0-0), who overcame a terrific opening quarter-hour from the visitors.
"I thought we dominated at the start and did just about everything better than Christian Liberty," said Warriors coach Erik Schwartz. "But in this sport, that doesn't always mean a thing, and today, that's exactly what happened."
The Warriors' front seven was an all-action bunch early. Led by Mattea Huerta, who dazzled with her skill on the ball, the visitors put the Chargers under pressure from the opening whistle.
"We didn't start the game very well," said Christian Liberty sweeper Cassie Swiderek. "We weren't very sharp with our play, but after everyone stepped up their play, and we began to defend better and move the ball around, we were able to play more like we are capable of."
"We had a lot of trouble with No. 5 (Huerta) in that first half," said Christian Liberty coach Aaron DeRidder. "She caused us a lot of trouble, as did a few of their other players. But we still found a way to score the first goal, despite (Westminster Christian) having most of the early play."
Maddie Bennett's left-footed snap shot from 22 yards went off the gloves of keeper EliseVanNoord in the 16th minute, but the visitors quickly equalized when captain Emily Lamp drove her 45-yard strike over Becky Davis two minutes later.
The game came alive after the sudden scoring outburst, and if not for a terrific save by Davis on Huerta, it could have been 2-1.
"Becky was great today. She's improved so much from last year, and commands her box, and directs the defense really well," said Swiderek.
Just after the Davis heroics, Christian Liberty fired back to take the lead for good, with Karr going in on the turn from just outside the box thanks in part to a nice assist from teammate Sam Amedin.
"Those were a couple of tough goals that we gave up, but we had plenty of chances of our own, plus we created a bunch of corners, and deep throws," said Schwartz. "But we just were not at our best in the final third."
The early exchanges after intermission saw some chippy play and plenty of whistles, but fewer scoring opportunities.
The Warriors (1-5-0, 0-1-0) produced the first quality chance of the period when Johannah Seirs sent a nice ball over the top to Huerta, who drove her attempt wide.
Once again, the Chargers struck on their next opportunity as Karr slotted into the back of the net after a scrum inside the 6-yard box was created from a Maddie Bennett corner at 57 minutes.
"Karr was just being Karr - she has that talent to score when the opportunity is there for her," said DeRidder.
Schwartz moved Huerta forward and Lamp into the midfield from her spot along the back line, as Westminster Christian played with just three in the back for the final 20 minutes.
A free kick from Seirs went wide. And while the Warriors' Keely Frens, Lexi Kuhlman and Gianna Mackintosh all increased their pace, another superb save from Davis on Huerta was all the visitors could show before time ran out.
Barrington 2, Schaumburg 0: Sophia Spinnell assisted on a pair of first-half strikes to help the host Fillies stay unbeaten in Mid-Suburban League play.
Jackie Batliner had the first goal, and Ashley Prell had the second.
Keeper Emily Reddy turned away 16 shots to keep it close for Schaumburg.