Hoffman Estates tops South Elgin in tourney opener
Hoffman Estates (2-2-0) earned a 3-0 victory Thursday afternoon over South Elgin in the tournament opener of the Hawks Invite.
The Hawks overwhelmed their opponent, breaking down the Storm (4-4-0) in its own end despite having fierce winds against them for the first half, a fact which didn't go unnoticed by South Elgin coach Tiffany Disher.
"We haven't started any of our matches this season very well thus far, and today, it was the same old thing again for us, even with (us) having the wind at our backs in that first half."
The hosts got the only goal they'd need when Megan Thomas chipped over keeper Emily Young from 20 yards out with a little help from the nonstop swirling breezes.
The visitors had trouble initiating any type of attack for the first quarter hour, with a well struck corner from Jill Ellison and a long shot off the right boot of Gina Simone - which sailed wide - the only chances of quality the Storm had.
To be fair, the first-half troubles of the Storm were due in part to the nonstop work on both sides of the ball from Thomas and her running mate in the middle, Mary Petit, who simply outworked their counterparts to deny the Storm any hope of connection between its midfielders and forwards.
"Mary and Megan did a very good job to control the play in the midfield for us (today) and both did well to find others to help keep the pressure on (South Elgin) for most of the match," said Hawks coach Rob Schmidt, who was quick to praise the work of senior Kelsey Lukowicz on the backline.
"We're so young, and still trying to get to know each other, but today's win, along with a pretty good effort (last) night, even in defeat (to Hersey) shows we're getting a little better with each match," said Petit.
The sophomore struck a highlight reel goal at 33 minutes when her curling free kick bended up and over a three-man wall from the near touchline before nestling into the far inside netting.
"That's were I wanted to go before I hit it," said Petit.
Just before Petit increased the Hawks' lead, the Storm's Alyssa Gemein forced keeper Vanessa Daughtery to save near the spot, after both Lauren Vedrine and Ellison supplied the extra work in the build-up leading to Gemein's attempt.
Freshman striker Jackie Nailor came close to matching Petit's strike when, on the turn, she hit a left-footed blast from 22 yards into the back of the net at 50 minutes.
Credit the Storm for not rolling over after yielding the Hawks' third goal, but despite playing with plenty of energy and heart, the visitors were unable to break free and end the shutout.
"We talked about playing with more urgency and pace (at) the break going into the second half, and I believe that we did, but we have to learn to come out with that type of intensity at the start of our matches," Disher said.
Next up for the Storm will be Belvidere North (1-3-3) at 8 a.m. Saturday, while the tourney hosts take on Plainfield South (3-1-1) at 10 a.m.