Suther ready when needed

Droughts interrupted by hailstorms -- that's what goalkeeping can be, and Neuqua Valley's Rachel Suther negotiated some erratic weather just fine Saturday.

After the Wildcats (3-0) scored twice to erase a 1-goal halftime deficit against Hinsdale Central (1-2), Suther made a trio of saves in a minute's span to help preserve her squad's 2-1 win.

The junior tipped a shot over the crossbar, dove to stop another shot and stuffed yet another shot at the near post, all in the game's 66th minute.

"We were doing a great job up top. Then it was my turn, and I knew had to step up," Suther said. "You have to be ready, whenever."

"We know she's a quality keeper, and that's what we expect from her," said Wildcats coach Joe Moreau.

After a win on Friday over Downers Grove South, Hinsdale Central went up 1-0 Saturday on an own-goal by the Wildcats in the game's 10th minute, set up by a Deanna Huysani corner kick. The lead held to halftime, and the Red Devils were playing well.

"What's promising is that we've played well in two games against good competition where I thought we might be in over our heads," said Red Devils coach Skip Begley. "I think we can swim, and we can swim in the deep end.

"Now we certainly have to work on the first two minutes of the second half."

The Wildcats knotted the score just 15 seconds into the second half, when Kendra Collins dribbled up the right side and ripped a ball in off the far post. Shannon Pimmel effectively scored the game-winner 10 minutes later, as the Wildcats came out hard after the break.

"Our seniors told us we needed to step up and win balls out of the air," Suther said. "When we were winning the 50-50s, we were dominating the game. That made a huge difference."

"The first half they took it to us," Moreau said. "The second half we wanted to pressure them right away. It was good hustle by Kendra, and a nice shot."

The Wildcats kept the Red Devils in defensive mode to the midway point of the second half before Hinsdale Central pushed numbers forward and began applying good pressure in its attacking third.

"It wasn't a pretty game. We're fortunate to come out with the win," Moreau said. "It's nice to be able to fight, work hard and come out with a win."

Begley applauded the efforts put forth by his back line and attacking players, along with goalkeeper Nicole D'Agostino.

"She played solid again today," Begley said. "She's aggressive, and she can cut a lot of things off out of the back."