WW South enjoys test run at Benedictine

Wheaton Warrenville South's girls soccer team hopes to return to the Benedictine University field in May for supersectionals.

Who wouldn't after Saturday's game there?

The Tigers dominated possession from the start in beating St. Francis 7-0 in Lisle. WW South (3-1) led 4-0 at half and had its 7 goals by midway through the second half.

"Before the game we talked about applying a lot of pressure," WW South's Taylor Neiling said, "and getting teams on their heels. That way we can attack and have more opportunities to put the ball in the net.

"It was nice to get a feel for the field here. Hopefully, we'll be back for supersectionals."

WW South didn't convert on three corner kicks in the first 10 minutes but scored first at the 29:08 mark.

Allie Bellmer crossed to Liz Ciesielski, who tucked in a shot to the left of the St. Francis goalkeeper.

The Tigers made it 2-0 with 17:49 left in the half, as Brigette Kragie hit a precise ball to a streaking Bellmer behind the St. Francis defense. She lofted it over the keeper for the score.

"It was an amazing ball from Brigette," Bellmer said. "I just put my foot on it. Perfect placement by Brigette."

Moments later, Neiling blasted in a shot from 20 yards out.

"Before I went back in, coach was telling me to shoot the ball from farther out," Neiling said, "to test the keeper. He said whenever I had an open shot to take it."

Neiling later found Kragie for WW South's fourth goal.

"We're acclimated to this type of surface," WW South coach Guy Callipari said, "and we thought if we could utilize the width of the field and the speed of play we could stay away from their compactness and coverage and find the open person for the 1-on-1 duels. They were bunkered in, in the middle and we found space on the outside."

St. Francis coach Tim Dailey admitted it was his team's worst game yet this season. The Spartans are 4-2.

"They ran around us and threw us," Dailey said. "Their speed, their control and their possession was just outstanding. We played a very poor game and didn't execute at all. It was our worst game, and it was because of them."

Ciesielski, Nicole Lapatina and Leah Johnson all scored goals for WW South in the second half.

"We were just excited to play," Neiling said. "We've only played four games this season and our games keep getting canceled. We were anxious to get out there."