Girls soccer: Youth serves WW South well in win at Wheaton Academy
Wheaton Warrenville South is young but also extremely talented.
Starting seven sophomores and a freshman during Wednesday's nonconference game at Wheaton Academy, the Tigers picked up their first win of the season with a 2-0 result against the Warriors.
“With such a young group we're looking to build continuity, so for now it's small steps,” Tigers coach Guy Callipari said. “I thought we adjusted well from our first game against Batavia.”
Both teams struggled creating scoring opportunities, but the Tigers finally struck with 30:30 left in the second half when sophomore Allie Anderson lofted a shot that found its way to the back of the net.
“Coach called for play No. 1, which is to shoot, so I looked for a shot and took it,” Anderson said. “I just had to have confidence in myself. The goalie was off her line, so I knew I had a good chance. I was able to hit it right over her.”
Wheaton Warrenville South (1-1) didn't end up needing any insurance but received some with 2:01 left when sophomore Paige Miller scored to seal the victory.
“I saw an opening far post and I had been trying to hit far post for the majority of the second half but didn't do it,” Miller said. “When I saw this opportunity, especially with the ball on my right foot, I took it.”
Wheaton Academy (1-1) was shut out for just the sixth time in the past three seasons and saw its 18-game winning streak, which included 17 straight wins to finish 2016, come to an end.
“I thought (Wheaton Warrenville South) did a nice job and made things difficult for us,” Warriors coach Jeff Brooke said. “We created some better opportunities as the game went on. It's so early right now still, so this was a good challenge for us and we'll keep working on getting better.”
The Warriors had two excellent scoring opportunities in the second half, one to take the lead and one to net the equalizer, but came up empty on both.
Senior Emmerson Fuller had a free kick just outside of the penalty area a few minutes before Anderson scored but misfired high.
Senior Gretchen Pearson nearly tied the game at 1-1 about a minute after Anderson's goal, but her shot was deflected by goalkeeper Abbie Brennan and caromed hard off the right post before being cleared.