Eventually, Geneva's pressure breaks Kaneland

When your team is firing 36 shots toward the goal in a soccer game, while your opponent manages only two, it figures to be only a matter of time before one of those shots results in a score.

And it was a matter of just more than 67 minutes into the Western Sun Conference showdown between Kaneland and host Geneva on Monday afternoon when Geneva freshman Amanda Lulek broke a 1-1 tie with the winning goal in the second half.

The Vikings spent 90 percent of the game in Kaneland's end of the field, dominating midfield play and putting on relentless offensive pressure in their 2-1 victory, which marked the first loss for Kaneland this season (10-1-2, 1-1-1).

It may not have occurred if not for a rare call on a first-half penalty kick. Just six minutes into the game, Geneva (9-5-1, 3-0-0) was awarded a penalty kick, but forward Madeline Tennant fired her attempt over the crossbar. The referee ruled that a Kaneland player had stepped into the goal box area prior to the kick, and awarded Geneva a second attempt.

This time Geneva coach Megan Owens called for Sammi Hill to take the shot, which caused an anxious moment for the senior forward.

"I didn't know what happened actually, and it made me kind of nervous, but my shot hit the post and then the goalie touched it, and it went in, so that was good," said Hill, whose shot gave Geneva a 1-0 lead.

Kaneland coach Scott Parillo was baffled by the turn of events.

"They said we stepped in the box before the kick, so I don't know," Parillo said. "I've never had that happen to me in nine years of coaching, but that's the way it goes.

"We had some real adversity today, with some of our players not here, but they outshot us, so that's the way it goes."

Kaneland wasn't penetrating Geneva's half of the field too often, but it did cash in on one rush, with about 10 minutes left in the first half. A collision with Geneva goalie Jenny Lienau resulted in a penalty kick for Colleen Gebauer, who banged in the tying goal with a low shot past a diving Lienau's right hand.

Much of the postgame praise was heaped on Kaneland freshman goalkeeper Jordan Ginther, who made 12 saves and broke up other Geneva thrusts with her speed and solid decision-making.

"With my club team, I have that kind of pressure all of the time, so I am used to, but today was probably one of the hardest games I have had this season with the high school team," Ginther said. "We fought very hard and I was very proud of the girls today."

Parillo was impressed with Ginther's effort, and the fact that the Kaneland girls' soccer program continues to get stronger.

"Last year, we lost this game 6-0, so 2-1 isn't bad against Geneva," he said.

Powers also praised Ginther as a "phenomenal keeper who made some amazing saves," but said her team dominated the second half.

"It was a little frustrating for us, because we had so many opportunities," Powers said. "We put all of the pressure on them, and we knew we would eventually get one in."

That eventual goal came when Sarah Tennant slipped a pass over to the hustling Lulek, who knocked the winner past Ginther.