Young's play in goal helps Storm tie Hawks
Little-used backup goalkeeper freshman Emily Young came up big Tuesday for the South Elgin girls soccer team.
Young made 7 second-half saves, including a couple at point-blank range, to help the Storm come away with a 1-1 tie against Upstate Eight Conference foe Bartlett at Millennium Field.
"We're very happy that Emily has been able to step up in the keeper role," Storm coach Tiffany Disher said. "She's been a little nervous."
The Hawks (11-4-1, 4-3-1) took a 1-0 lead with 26:46 remaining in the first half when Luisa Desario dribbled past several Storm defenders and beat Young with a left-footed shot.
South Elgin (7-6-3, 2-4-2) wanted to use its speed and attacked the Hawks' defense with long balls over the top. While it didn't produce many scoring chances, it did produce the game-tying goal with 4:03 left in the first half. Lauren Vedrine ran down a long ball from Kristina Nieman and scored past Hawks goalkeeper Erin Zaideman.
"My forwards are pretty fast. If we were able to chip it past (the Bartlett defenders) I knew that they would be able to capitalize and score on that," Disher said.
Bartlett pressed the play in the second half, especially the final 20 minutes. The Hawks had a couple of great chances with just over 15 minutes left. Fran Abate's free kick from 24 yards out hit the crossbar. The rebound went to Trisha Donlon, whose shot at the top of the 6-yard box was saved by Young.
With a minute remaining, Young again stopped Donlon in close to preserve the tie.
"You can produce as many good opportunities as you want, but when you kick it right at (Young) and her bright green jersey, you're not going to be able to get it past her," Hawks coach Heather Thomas said. "We created a lot of opportunities, but it doesn't do you any good if you can't put them in the back of the net."
Young, who was making her "second or third" appearance in goal, forgot her gloves and had to use senior goalkeeper Esther Fiebig's. Young finished with 10 saves.
Zaideman made 2 saves for the Hawks.