Change for the better continues for Warren

Recent changes have lifted Warren's girls soccer team to a higher performance level over the last couple of weeks.

The Blue Devils showed a strong effort in the first edition of Glenbrook Cup as Warren downed Dunlap 5-1 on Saturday afternoon at Techny Prairie Park in Northbrook.

The Blue Devils (8-5-1) won two games in the tournament, beating University High 3-1 in its other game Saturday morning. Warren tied Glenbrook North 1-1 on Friday.

Warren missed reaching the final four of the 16-team field because they gave up a couple of goals over their last two games.

"I thought we played very well this tournament," Warren coach Jeff Knouse said. "We just lost on goal differential. We didn't have clean sheets and had a couple of mistakes.

"We have put people in different places and they've been stepping up, doing real well."

Over the last five games, Warren has gone 4-0-1. The Blue Devils have had better results with Kelsey Armour moved from the midfield back into the sweeper position.

"I'm a sweeper these days," said Armour, who's in back with Sarah Musick, Kelsey Taylor and Katelyn McDermott. "It's different and definitely new for me, but I'll do whatever to help the team.

"We're working real well together. We're comfortable, and we trust one another enough. We just have good communication out there."

Warren held a 4-1 advantage over Dunlap (3-10) at halftime.

Natalia Jovanovic scored twice, and Kelsey Taylor, Kerry Eddy and Mariah Lewis had the other Blue Devils goals. Brianna Selimos had 2 assists, and Sky Anselm and Kelly Ditmars also picked up assists.

"We've been working a lot in practice in seeing the forwards," said Jovanovic. "As a team we've really grown on how to connect together. The girls are starting ot look up for each other and we're just connecting better."

Against University High, Jovanovic scored another goal, and Anselm and Selimos also found the back of the net.