Gareis, Neuqua Valley win fourth straight

Neuqua Valley had been waiting for Ryan Gareis to have a breakout girls soccer game.

The South Carolina recruit, who played club soccer the past two seasons, didn't score a point in her first seven games.

That changed Saturday. Gareis scored the first goal of the game on a beautiful volley and set up another goal as the host Wildcats knocked off Naperville Central 4-0 in DuPage Valley Conference action.

Neuqua Valley (4-2-2, 3-0) now has won four consecutive games as Gareis and her teammates seem to be heating up along with the weather.

"It was really awesome," Gareis said. "It was the first goal of the game so it really got our momentum up.

"I remember thinking, 'I want this goal so bad,' so it came down to who wanted it more and I was happy that I was able to finish it."

Gareis' goal came with 30:40 to play in the first half off a long free kick from defender Nicole Mondi, who sent the ball flashing across the penalty area. Gareis knocked it home from the far post.

"Ryan was perfectly timed on the back post and hit it in," Mondi said. "It was a really good touch."

Neuqua Valley coach Joe Moreau was happy to see the speedy Gareis get on the score sheet.

"I think that will take a little pressure off her," Moreau said. "I think she played a little bit more relaxed today."

The presence of Gareis gives opposing defenses one less reason to relax. The Wildcats pressured the Redhawks (5-5-2, 2-2) throughout the game.

Gareis stretched the defense with her quick attacks down the wings, one of which produced Neuqua's third goal. A cross from Gareis hit the back of a Naperville Central player and Julia Rushing was there to tap it in to extend the lead to 3-0 with 16:47 to go in the second half.

"My speed is something that I value a lot," Gareis said. "That's why I love playing on the outside because I like to make the runs. That's something I plan to emulate in every one of the games."

Alyssa Bombacino and Alison Dovalovsky also scored for the Wildcats, who love having Gareis back in the fold for the first time since her freshman year.

"It's awesome to have her back," Mondi said. "She is so determined and hardworking and does everything she can to get the ball in, which is really good."

Naperville Central had 12 shots but nothing dangerous on frame.

"We didn't take advantage of the opportunities that we had," said Naperville Central coach Ed Watson, who picked up his 400th career win Thursday when the Redhawks beat Waubonsie Valley 1-0. "When the game was still 1-0 we had two opportunities that should have been finished and we didn't get the job done. You can't keep putting pressure on your defense over and over again and not score."