Girls soccer: Cary-Grove blanks Montini
Teagan Jones inspired Cary-Grove's girls soccer team to a thumping 6-0 win over Montini Catholic Thursday night in the tourney opener for both clubs at the first Elk Grove Invite at Robert E. Haskell Stadium.
The junior, who spent her sophomore season playing club soccer for Sockers FC, made her return with head coach Ray Krystal a triumphant one when she helped her club build a three-goal advantage just 12 minutes in.
"I am so happy to be back playing for Cary-Grove and all of my friends," said Jones, who finished a looping corner from Megan Harbeck just five minutes into the match, then from the spot with a one-timer at 12 minutes, courtesy of helpers from Katie Glowinski and Stephanie Scrima.
"We're really pleased to have Teagan back with us this year. Not only does she add so much to our overall game with her talent, but so does her personality and hard work as well," said Krystal, who figures his club will be chasing Fox Valley Conference favorites, Crystal Lake South and Prairie Ridge this spring.
The Trojans would be in control from the opening whistle thanks in part to the first goal of the game by Izzy Robinson in the first minute. She would also finish the scoring in the 50th minute.
In between the two Robinson strikes, teammates Kelly Stayart and Mollie Immens would find the back of the net, Immens at the back post when she drove a header past Montini keeper Neena Franklin.
Despite conceding 5 first-half goals, Franklin would rise up to stop three quality chances by the Trojans, as the junior turned in a strong effort during her 80-minute performance.
"The result was not what we were looking for, but this was our first time out on a full field this spring, and after a tough start, I really felt we played we much more confidence and purpose in the second half," said Montini head coach Sue Brown.
The Broncos' center back, junior Sonia Finch, kept her mates along the back organized after that initial first half power surge by Cary-Grove.
"We're counting on 4-5 juniors to get us through the first couple of weeks of the season while we sort things out, and get a few more games under our belt, and Sonia is one of those juniors we'll lean on, as well as our center-midfielder Kate Crotty," added Brown.
The 5-goal advantage allowed Krystal to get everyone minutes during this season and tournament opener, while providing the Trojans' head coach the chance to have his girls get some much needed technical work put in.
"There's always something to learn in a game like this including touches on the ball, possession play, movement and finding feet as well as playing with class and good sportsmanship when you have a comfortable lead," he said.
"I've been on the other side of a game like this, so it's important to remember that, because you never know when it can happen to you."