Girls soccer: Grayslake Central sees bright side in loss to Glenbrook North

Trying to get into the competitive groove this spring has been a challenge for most schools, owing to the volatile weather.

Grayslake Central girls soccer team didn't get the outcome it wanted on Tuesday, but at least there were signs of some smoother sailing in days ahead.

The Rams came up just short in a 2-1 road loss to Glenbrook North in a nonconference match in Northbrook.

Joslynn Smith scored the lone goal for the Rams (2-4) while Maura Fitzgerald had the assist and keeper Katie Pearson had a stellar effort that featured 15 saves.

"This was definitely our best game so far," said Fitzgerald, who plays in the Rams' midfield and also moves forward at times. "The competition so far, we've beaten weaker teams, but that doesn't do much for us. But this will give us a lot of confidence going into the (Northern Lake County) conference play.

"As for our attacking and moving forward, it was one of our best games. The defense did a solid job of getting the ball forward, too."

A solid focus during training has yielded dividends as Grayslake Central's players, man of whom are new to one another, are gaining familiarity.

"We work on different things in practice and it's starting to show," Fitzgerald said. "It's showing more with our combinations, working together as a team with the forwards."

The Rams showed they could stay with a top-tier CSL team such as Glenbrook North (4-1-2).

"I think we were more composed on the ball then we have been," Grayslake Central coach Bethany Martin said. "We moved off the ball better for each other. There's been this hunger to be better then we've been in the past, and I think it showed in our ability to create chances. To be honest, I thought the game could've gone either way - (Glenbrook North) had quite a few chances on goal an we had quite a few chances that we couldn't put it away. But just getting there is really encouraging with the conference coming up."

Grayslake Central keeper Pearson had solid support from the defenders in front of her, including Emily Bez, Aly Hamrick, Meghan Kube, Emma Stopka and Hannah Theer.

"They did a really good job keeping the (GBN) players before the line of defense and knowing where the splits are," Pearson said. "We stepped it up (after their first goal), where we needed to. I think it really boosted us up more with confidence."

The Spartans' Emily Charen scored first, 52 seconds into the game.

The Rams tied it in the 17th minute when Fitzgerald found Smith making a run toward the goal.

Glenbrook North scored the game-winner in the 66th minute as Charen sent a volley-kick from the top of the penalty area under the crossbar.

"(Grayslake Central) is dangerous," Glenbrook North coach Craig Loch said. "They have some forwards up top that can hold the ball and be dangerous at times being physical. It was a tough battle between both teams. More power to Grayslake Central with the way they played and the way they held their own."