Maine West beats the elements and Waukegan
Neither rain, nor wind, nor cold can stop Maine West.
For the second time in as many days, the Warriors (4-5-1) were not deterred by dreadful weather and playing conditions when they recorded a 3-0 victory Tuesday night against visiting Waukegan in a Central Suburban League match in Des Plaines.
After cruising past Elgin one night earlier on another nasty night, the Warriors went to work early in search of their second straight victory with inspired play in the attacking end to put its opponents in retreat mode and keeper Claudio Pulido on full alert.
"Obviously it was a terrible night to play and the conditions could not have been worse, but I cannot fault anyone on our team because all played with a lot of energy and heart," said Maine West coach Aaron Fleming.
During the first quarter hour of play, the home side initiated several quality chances on Pulido, including freshmen Annaliese Walsten and Dontina Walsten, who each had a go from just inside the box only to go just over the bar. And it was this duo, along with Sara Stepanovich, Rosa Gonzalez and Sandy Ibarra who did their best in the Warriors' surge inside the Waukegan end far too many times for the liking of Pulido and sweeper Flor Jimenez who worked OT hours for the Bulldogs (1-8-0).
"We're starting to possess better, and we are all getting to know each other a little better each time out," said Ibarra, who is one of only two seniors on a 2009 roster infused with talented freshmen and sophomores.
Stepanovich, who struck for a pair of goals on Monday, nearly had another at 22 minutes if not for enough pace put on her shot after Walsten and Gonzalez provided the opportunity for the freshman from 10 yards away.
However, the rookie striker, who has spent some time as a keeper for Fleming this season, did get credit for the helper on Bekah Schmitz' goal at 29 minutes when her floating serve to the back post was met at the same time as a well-timed Schmitz run and a one-timer into the net.
Back-to-back corners for the Warriors yielded nothing but did keep the ball in the Waukegan end long enough for Walsten to hit a spectacular left-footed missile from 35 yards which went up and over Pulido just moments before intermission.
The visitors had little answer in their attack, much of it due to some fine work from the defensive trio of Amanda Ollerer, Kelly Cerri and Carly Martin, who gave teammate Jessie Mueller little to worry about until the late stages en route to recording her shutout.
Another freshman, Rachel Laznowski, who minutes earlier saw her blast turned up and over the bar, finished the scoring just after the hour mark.
"This weekend the Rolling Meadows Invite should give us a good idea of how far we have progressed (of) late," said Fleming, "and I think all of us are looking forward to it."
The Warriors will open the tournament against Wheeling on Thursday.