Girls soccer: Karl goal all Naperville North needs against Downers Grove South
Naperville North senior Delaney Karl found her new favorite spot on the soccer field Saturday.
Karl's goal gave the top-ranked Huskies a 1-0 nonconference victory against visiting Downers Grove South, yet another in a series of strong opponents that Naperville North (15-1-1) has secured a result from.
The goal came in the 23rd minute when the Mustangs (13-6-0) had problems with a Morgan Krause free kick. Karl scored from about a yard in front of the penalty spot.
"It was a good cross from Krause and I was just at the top of the box and I was in the right place at the right time," the reserve forward/midfielder said. "I just got a foot on it and got it in the back of the net. I was just happy to be there. Just a lucky spot."
"Just a great hustle goal by Delaney," Huskies coach Steve Goletz added. "Delaney's just a kid that gives us everything she's got every game, every practice. She's a senior and somebody that came back from a torn ACL. On a super-talented team like we've got this year, she's somebody who's been pretty consistent off the bench for us and given us a spark."
It was Karl's second goal of the season, but that's beside the point to her.
"You know what? I don't really count those too much," she added. "I think it's more of a team effort and just what you put into the game. I'm loving this season and having a good time."
The score was close but the play wasn't. The Huskies dominated possession and outshot the Mustangs 21-2. Mustangs goalkeeper Paige Patera kept busy, making 10 saves. Naperville North goalkeeper Elizabeth Cablk was more of a spectator. She stopped just 1 shot, a fairly easy 61st-minute save on a shot from outside the penalty area that she saw clearly.
"We knew we were going to be conceding possession a lot," Mustangs coach Chris Hernandez said. "Just the way we were tactically set up today. Tried something new. We knew it was going to be for us more of a counterattacking, set-piece game, and unfortunately for us we gave up a set-piece goal.
"The way we set up this is kind of what we expected, but this is something for us to build upon. That's one of the top teams in the state, and for us to keep them locked in in terms of their attacking talent, that's something for us to build upon."
The Huskies continue to build on their unbeaten streak now at 16 games. Their shutout streak ended Thursday against Waubonsie Valley at 13 games.
"The team's great and we have such great chemistry," Karl said. "During practices and everything we're always laughing. On the bench we're always having a good time. The team is really close and we have such great relationships, I think that really shows on the field."
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