Girls soccer: Wheaton North spreads the fun around, tops Glenbard North
Juniors Abby Atkinson and Kate McKee and senior Jacqueline Bienduga weren't part of the Wheaton North girls soccer team's starting lineup Tuesday against Glenbard North.
They liked how the Falcons were playing and added to it.
"Everyone was really loose because we stepped into this game with a different mindset," Bienduga said. "We had confidence and our passes were on. When you have that momentum, you do better than you think you will. And everything starts to fall together."
The trio combined for the Falcons' first four goals in a 5-0 DuPage Valley Conference victory in Wheaton.
The Falcons (4-9, 2-1) are now 4-3 in their last seven games after an 0-6 start.
Monday's season-high scoring total was only their third game this season with multiple goals as well as their second straight victory by shutout.
"We've been really growing over the last couple of weeks. Tonight is the most growth we've seen to the end of the game (for 80 entire minutes)," Wheaton North coach Tim McEvilly said. "We're not a goal-scoring machine. What we talked about before was today was a day where the girls had a chance to try and gain that confidence that they could be goal scorers."
Several Falcons continue contributing whenever they enter the game. All season long, McEvilly said the Falcons haven't used the same starting lineup because of factors that include injuries, matchups or just to put certain players in a positive mindset early.
"We try to play kids when they're ready to go," McEvilly said. "(Tuesday's reserves) took the energy and the success that the starters had and capitalized on it, which was nice to see."
After seven shots on goal, Atkinson scored first 17:29 before halftime off a great cut and pass by junior Leila Parente, who entered as a non-starter with Atkinson and Bienduga in the 18th minute.
Within two minutes Bienduga scored next after the Panthers (3-8, 0-4) were unable to clear senior Jaden Trometer's cross following her corner kick.
McKee scored the next two goals with assists from Trometer and senior Kailee Sowers. Junior starter Sarah Brcka had the final goal off a Parente assist with 9:38 left.
They were the first goals this season for McKee and Atkinson.
"Everyone was working so hard and Leila sending me this perfect ball, just being able to capitalize on everyone's hard work to put one in for the team was really great," Atkinson said.
The starting defense of senior goalkeeper Ava Lynch, Trometer, seniors Micaela Van Meter and Hannah Swider and junior Kristen Szumski held the Panthers to one shot - a solid 30-yard strike over the net by sophomore Alexis Bolger in the 59th minute. In the final 40 seconds Lynch charged just outside the box to clear and deflect a dangerous ball off charging senior forward Aurelia Carulli.
Glenbard North's goalkeepers - junior Karissa Chalus and senior Stephany Marin - combined for 22 saves and several big ones. Wheaton North junior Anna Warfield also put a first-half blast off the crossbar.
"(Our goalkeepers) did play very well. They've been pushing each other in practice and they have a good relationship," Glenbard North coach Peter Stanfield said.
"We've lost a few games by some heavy scores but we said at halftime despite the score we see improvement in our speed of play and our ability to retain possession, which was limited at times. They're a good team. It's a big learning progress for our team."
The Panthers' 10 goals all have come in their victories, most recently 4-0 over Rockford East on Saturday as part of the Larkin Tournament.
For the Falcons, McKee's first goal may have been their prettiest so far this season. She deposited a solid header in the crease off Trometer's left-side corner kick. Trometer will play at Marquette as a walk-on.
"I'm actually not a person who is very confident going into the air so that header really made it for me. It felt great afterwards," McKee said.