Girls soccer: Willowbrook stops Glenbard South
As both squads walked off the pitch after host Willowbrook beat Glenbard South 2-1 on Tuesday night, the teams were happy with their respective lots approaching the postseason.
It was the regular-season finale for the Warriors (7-10-1). Coach Julio Del Real said defense has been Willowbrook's strength all season and it will crucial in the playoffs.
"I feel very good. Our defense gives us a good chance. And as long as we get some (offensive) opportunities, we'll be in good shape," he said.
The Warriors' winning score came with 27:17 remaining in the game courtesy of Caitlyn Owen.
"Melissa Florey passed it to me. It went off me and I kicked in," she said.
Glenbard South (8-12) had tied the game just less than three minutes earlier when Sam Schutte converted a penalty kick after a push in the penalty area was called.
Willowbrook struck first in the first half with 9:23 remaining until halftime. Raiders goalkeeper Allie Jordan made a skillful stop on Lizzy Florey's shot, but there was a rebound and the ball hit the back of the net.
Warriors goalkeeper Zoe Ericson finished with 11 saves.
"(Glenbard South's A.J. Rose) and (Erin Haslett) really moved the ball back and forth near the net and Glenbard South's midfielders switched the ball from side to side well," Ericson said.
Willowbrook went into the game having lost to York 2-0 on Saturday, and Ericson said it was good to bounce back from that.
"(Tuesday's win) gives us a big amount of confidence. We lost to York and played phenomenal and we played phenomenal tonight," she said.
Willowbrook is seeded 12th in the Class 4A Downers Grove North sectional. The Warriors take on fifth-seeded Fenwick in York regional semifinal play May 17. Game time is 6:30 p.m.
As for Glenbard South, seeded sixth in the Class 2A Nazareth sectional, coach Kevin Berner is pleased how a young squad is coming together.
"We couldn't be more proud. We have five freshmen on the team. They've come in with incredible intensity and don't play like freshmen. They keep improving," he said.
Besides Haslett, the other freshmen for the Raiders are Kate Gavin, Kelly Lupa, Abby Showalter and Molly Moutvic.
Four of those freshmen were in the starting lineup in addition to three sophomores.
"We're young and we're looking forward to the upcoming seasons, but we're going into these playoffs with tremendous confidence," Berner said.
The Raiders also open the postseason May 17 in their own regional. They take on 10th-seeded De La Salle in semifinal play at 6:30 p.m.