Knights fall to Green Wave

Defense was the theme of the day for the St. Edward girls soccer tournament.

None of the four teams scored an opening-round goal, and both host St. Edward and Willows Academy didn't allow a score on the day.

St. Edward goalkeeper Taylor Hunsberger did not record a save until the final game against Immaculate Conception. Willows Academy took home the tournament championship on goals scored, but the Green Wave was more than happy with the offensive performance on Saturday. St. Edward opened the day tying Willows Academy 0-0, but then rebounded to defeat Rockford Christian Life 4-0 and Immaculate Conception 2-0.

While the other tournament games were played using 20 minute halves, St. Edward and IC doubled up their match, playing both a conference game and tournament finale and used the normal 40-minute half, with only the halftime score counting for tournament purposes.

"We had a good day offensively," Green Wave coach Tim Brieger said. "We showed some offense in the end of the Willows Academy game. The day went well."

The offense at the end of the opening game carried over as four players scored for St. Edward (6-2) against Rockford Christian (0-6-2).

Alex Rubio (Brittany Brozek), Brozek (Bianca Ramirez), Kristi Kuczora (Katy Lally) and Taylor Barone (Brozek) all notched goals for the Green Wave.

For an encore St. Edward put up 17 shots on Knights' goalie Kelly Mulligan. Despite a heroic effort from Mulligan, Brozek (Ramirez) and Mallory Malone (Brozek).

"She saved a lot of really good goals," said Rubio, who notched her fifth goal of the year against Christian Life. "It was hard because we were packing the goal. We just kept taking shots."

Getting a high number of shots also benefited Mulligan, who is in her first year as goalie.

"Kelly did a wonderful job," Knights' coach Brian Frank said. "It's good to get her experience. Today, she got quite a lot of it."

Willows Academy also liked its defensive showing.

"We have a very strong defense anchored by our goalie, sweeper and stopper," Eagles coach Amy McMahon said. "They have good chemistry. They're quick and hard to beat."

Goalie Ashley Hunt finished the day with 4 saves, with the assistance of stopper Marianne Cassidy and sweeper Elyse Brown. Willows Academy, the No. 3 seed in the Class A Westminster Christian sectional, defeated Immaculate Conception 2-0 and Christian Life 3-0.

St. Edward is the No. 1 seed in the Westminster Christian sectional, while IC (6-4-3) is the No. 2 seed in the Hinckley-Big Rock sectional.