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Girls soccer: Noble Pritzker ends Fenton's season

There was quite the disparity in numbers heading into Wednesday's Class 2A regional semifinal match in Bensenville.

Fifth-seeded Noble Pritzker entered unbeaten on the spring, having scored 123 goals in its 17 matches. Tenth-seeded Fenton on the other hand, had three wins and 16 total goals to its credit.

But playing on its home field, the Bison nevertheless battled hard throughout, even outplaying the visitors for the first 20 minutes of the second half, before eventually falling 7-0.

The Jaguars improved to 17-0-1 and will take on Fenwick in the regional final. Fenton finished 3-14-1.

"We talked with the girls, every single game it came down to mistakes," Fenton coach Victor Ruiz said. "But that's inexperience. Our whole back line was new, our goalie is new, so are our forwards. And it's tough to compete when you don't score a lot of goals."

Kayla Romero scored four goals to lead the Jaguars, the first of which came less than seven minutes in. A 32-yard direct kick goal upped the margin to 3-0 and she later added two more scores in the second half.

Fenton only registered one shot on goal, two minutes into the second half off the foot of Kimberly Rivera, who also saw a header go just wide off a free kick.

The Bison did receive strong midfield play from Maria Lara, along with fellow captain Mia Clavelli and Natalie Diaz.

"We did the best that we could," Lara said. "It's been a pleasure playing with everybody. And Coach Vic has been there for me throughout everything."

Lara and Clavelli are two of only eight seniors that will be departing from a roster of 28.

"Everything ran through Maria (Lara) in the middle," Ruiz said. "She was just named all-sectional honorable mention and a (Metro Suburban Conference) all-conference player. And then with Mia and Sofia (Gonzalez) on the outside, when they were both on, we had our best chance."

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