Girls soccer: Elgin's back line helps winning effort over Larkin
A soccer team's back-line defenders are often unsung heroes. Lots of running and adjusting, and, typically, not a lot of headlines.
Until now.
Elgin's back line of Yulissa Gutierrez, Kylie Graves, Marceci Santiago and Chasya Avendano were as tough as nails Wednesday in a 3-1 victory over crosstown rival Larkin in Upstate Eight Conference River Division action.
They gave up nothing after a Larkin goal 38 seconds into the contest at Elgin's Memorial Field, and in the process stifled Stephanie Nunez, the Royals' most prolific scorer (16 goals).
Down 3-1 at halftime, Larkin turned up the offensive pressure in the second half, taking 10 shots, 8 on goal, but Elgin's back-line foursome, along with junior goalkeeper Hannah Erickson (8 saves) stood firm. That was much to the delight of Maroons' coach Alicia Knoll, who saw her club improve to 8-11 overall and 2-3 in the league.
"Once we start communicating as a back line, we're very strong, because we know how to cover for each other," Knoll said. "They are fantastic in the sense that they know what the person is going to do, so they know how to back them up properly."
Graves agreed.
"When we start communicating and playing our game, and not letting them play theirs, then it definitely benefits us, but it's a whole team effort to get that trust," she said.
From the outset, it looked like it might be a long night for Elgin's defense, as Nunez assisted Angela Smith on Larkin's goal 38 seconds in. But the Maroons bounced back, getting goals from Emily Graves in the 14th minute, Melissa Galarza in the 29th and Guadalupe Sanchez just before halftime.
But when Elgin and Larkin play, no lead is ever really safe, so that meant a prime defensive effort in the second half was required from Santiago, Avendano, Gutierrez and Graves. And they answered the call.
They disrupted Larkin's Elizabeth Baeza enough to fire a near point-blank shot wide left in the 42nd minute. Nine minutes later, Anayeli Perez was inside the 6-yard box but before she could shoot, they cleared the ball.
And when Nunez did break through, Erickson did her job. In the 68th minute, Nunez outraced Gutierrez down the left side, cut back inside and fired a shot past Graves but into the waiting arms of Erickson.
Larkin outshot Elgin 13-9 but fell to 8-11 and 0-5 in the UEC River on Senior Night, which honored the sole Royals' senior, Sam Moreno.
"I think they definitely went out to stop Sam and Stephanie and they did that," said Larkin coach Ken Hall. "At the same time, I think it was a little too much panic and not enough composure at times."