Gaul scores for goalkeepers earning Neuqua Valley win over Naperville C.

Maybe the earth's rotation has been reversed, or up is now down and down is up, because Neuqua Valley's leading scorer is a national team goalkeeper.

Senior Alexa Gaul will play in net for Texas next year, but on Saturday she scored her seventh goal of the season to cap a 3-1 Wildcats win over Naperville Central.

With Fordham-bound keeper Rachel Suther also in the fold, Wildcats coach Joe Moreau has been able to use the fast, strong and skilled Gaul in his attack.

"Obviously, we'll still use her in goal, but she just kind of creates things for us up top," Moreau said. "She's such a hard worker, and she has a nose for the goal."

"I love it," Gaul said. "It's been so much fun to play out of the goal."

Neuqua Valley (9-2) and Naperville Central (8-2-2) battled to a scoreless tie through 40 minutes, with each squad only managing 2 shots on net. Neuqua also sent four balls wide of frame, and earned a 12-4 edge in total shots for the night.

The Redhawks' best ball on frame in the first half came off the foot of Kelly Blumberg, who located a long Alex Coon throw-in and hit a hard, low shot on frame that Suther hit the ground to save.

Gina Maddi scored on a head shot late in the contest for the Redhawks, but scoring chances were hard to come by.

"We still defend more than we attack," said Naperville Central coach Ed Watson. "We need to find a way to be a little more offensive."

Neuqua didn't break the ice until the 68th minute, when Kelsey Mulcahy stepped onto an Allie McBride corner kick and headed it home at the far post.

"I just saw the ball and thought, 'Please hit it,' " Mulcahy said. "I just wanted to make contact."

Megan Oyster ripped a free kick in off the crossbar three minutes later, Maddi scored in the 79th minute on a Coon serve, and Gaul followed quickly with a goal hit from the end line on the right side.

Moreau applauded the play of center mids Alexa Wilde, Jessica Pinto and Allie McBride in a hard-played contest.

"I thought it was a very well-played game by both teams," Moreau said. "It was just a good soccer game. At times maybe it wasn't the prettiest to watch, but it was an exciting game."

Blumberg's effort also stood out for Naperville Central.

"I told the girls at halftime, 'If you think you're working hard, take a look at Kelly Blumberg,' " Watson said. "If they play as hard as she does, then we're where we need to be. She's always working. She never takes a play off."