Mudd sticks in game-winner for Grayslake Central

Getting some friendly bounces seems to be getting easier these days for the Grayslake Central girls soccer team.

Samantha Mudd connected on a shot off the turf for a golden goal - her first varsity score - that gave the host Rams a 1-0 overtime victory over Woodstock in Fox Valley Fox Division action Saturday.

The streaking Rams (11-7, 7-3), who are the top seed in their own Class 2A regional, have won eight straight games and 11 of their last 13.

Mudd converted her game-winning kick in the 85th minute. Woodstock (6-11, 3-7) tried to clear, but Mudd stepped up, intercepted the ball and delivered a shot that took a funny hop in front of and over the keeper.'

"I just was able to cut in and scored," Mudd said. "It really was more like a passing shot. I hit it on the laces and really never thought it was going in. I thought the keeper would catch it. I guess I can call it a bouncing shot."

"We'll take them any way we can get them," Rams coach Mike McCaulou said. "It was a crazy bounce. With these kids, they do the right thing. Our game is finishing and being composed in front of the goal. I thought the game should've ended earlier.

"It's great to play good soccer, but we've got to put teams away. You just can't let teams hang around. You don't want to see that fluke goal. We really didn't have a great goal. We need to bury teams early. Give credit to Woodstock. They worked hard and hustled out there. They never gave up."

Saturday games are a rarity for the Rams.

"I really don't like playing on Saturdays," McCaulou said. "It's not normal like the other days when the kids get out of school. They get used to the seven-hour day. They get on the bus and travel, or play at home."

Rams keeper Kat Dickson made 3 saves and earned her eighth shutout of the season.

"I thought we played Grayslake Central pretty good this season," Woodstock coach Todd Clement said. "For some reason my team stepped up and played better against them this year. When we played them, we had our better games and played more consistent."