Perfect Mundelein posts another shutout

Team defense has made Mundelein girls soccer one of the hottest teams in the area.

Through their first five games, the Mustangs are 5-0 and have not let up a goal.

Mundelein won the Lake Park invitational on Saturday for the fourth time in the last five years with a 1-0 shutout over host Oak Park.

Mustangs sophomore Ana Gianaras scored the winning goal late in the second half.

"Our defense has been very strong," coach Dave Ekstrom said after his team played its fourth game in four days on Oak Park's artificial turf. "The team defense has been very good. I expected us to do well, but we've got to keep improving."

The Mustangs scored only 5 goals in the tournament, winning three matches by 1-0 finals.

"Right now it's tough to put the ball in the goal," Ekstrom said. "We've got to keep working on that. A lot of teams are having trouble (scoring)."

Mundelein goalkeeper Nikki Allen posted her fifth straight shutout by making 5 saves. She's had great help in front of her from Michelle Rowley, Lindsey Benedick, Lacey Michelau and Nathalie Mathis.

"I'm just talking and trying to keep everything organized," said Rowley, a junior sweeper. "There's talking and a lot of communication going on. I'm just trying to help everybody by telling them what they can do with the ball."

Gianaras scored in the 73rd minute after taking a pass from Kim Carroll. Gianaras beat a defender and then kicked a shot past the keeper for her first goal of the season.

"I saw the defender coming toward me," Gianaras said. "I just scooted around her and put the ball in."

Oak Park (4-4-1, 2-1-1) had its opportunities to score. Casey Blaha hit the post, while McKenzie Kula took a shot that Allen punched over the crossbar.

"We had some quality chances and (Mundelein) had some quality chances," Oak Park coach Paul Wright said. "I thought we worked the ball around better than they did. This was probably our best game of the tournament.

"Mundelein's sweeper (Rowley), I don't think she missed a ball all day. She was able to get a head or foot on the ball every time."