Glenbard North edges Hoffman Estates
A goal at 57 minutes ensured Glenbard North would get its girls soccer season off to a strong start as the Panthers defeated host Hoffman Estates 1-0 on a chilly Tuesday night in a nonconference season opener for both sides.
Junior striker Jessica Kras broke a goal-less match when she ran on to a superb ball sent through from teammate Jocelyn McDonnell. Kras slotted past diving Hawks keeper Miranda Lewis, who did all she could to stop the game-winner.
“I don’t know how long it’s been since we started our season with a victory, but (it’s) a great way to start our season,” said Glenbard North coach Dave Stanfield, who saw his team finish 8-14-1 last year in spite of a very roster in the rugged DuPage Valley Conference.
“We came out a little slow this evening but talked about a couple of things at the break and had a very good showing in the second half,” said Stanfield, who was pleased with how his club weathered a solid 40 minutes of soccer from the hosts, who might be one of the youngest teams in the Mid-Suburban League this spring.
“I thought we did a lot of very good things in the first half, but we got away from doing some of those things after the break and struggled with our possession, as well as with a few of our chances when we had them,” said first-year Hawks coach Ralph Tooren, who started three freshmen and a pair of sophomores, including Lewis, in his starting lineup.
While the Panthers struggled to find their feet in the early exchanges, the young Hawks did well playing through their midfield, especially junior Mary Pettit. The three-year veteran ran the attack with plenty of energy and helped keep Glenbard North’s back line of Kelly Sprague, Megan Peters and Kim Cullen defending more than they would have liked in the first quarter hour in front of keeper Lindsay Taylor.
Lewis was called upon early when she came off of her line to stop a point-blank attempt from Kras after she broke through at 19 minutes to finally get the Panthers’ attack going. Pettit, Colleen Thomas, Tonya Skworch and freshman Nikki Callahan had helped keep the pressure on the visitors in the first quarter hour.
Pettit had a go from 20 yards to force Taylor to save in the 31st minute, but as the last few minutes of the first half began to wind down, the Panthers came alive and put a scare into the Hawks when Alyssa Jones carried freely along the end line before creating a corner when her near-post shot was sent out of play.
The first 10 minutes after intermission was played between the 18-yard lines until Kras struck for her game-winner.
“I finally was able to use my speed to get between two defenders, and Jocelyn, who I’ve been playing soccer with for so long, gave me just a great ball to help me easily get to the ball and go past their keeper,” said Kras. “Since I’ve been here we’ve always been a second-half team, and we showed that again tonight.”
The goal seemed to inspire Glenbard North, which enjoyed most of the run of play afterward.
With Kras and teammates Jennifer Duffy, Elise Chalus and McDonnell getting plenty of touches, the Hawks were unable to get their attack going.
“I really liked that we didn’t hold onto the ball too much, and instead used just two to three touches, especially from our players in the middle,” said Stanfield.
Lewis stopped Jones as the Panthers sophomore nearly finished a terrific run and carry by Duffy at 68 minutes, and Taylor kept the North lead safe when she came off her line with speed to make sure sophomore Jackie Naylor’s attempt didn’t find the back of the net.
A long-range free kick from Hawks sweeper Melanie McGinn had plenty of pace on it in the 76th minute, but as it did the entire second half, the Panthers’ back line defended well enough to keep things under control until the final whistle.
“We are awfully young this season, but we’re going to surprise some teams along the way, and at the same time, continue to improve as the season goes on,” said Tooren, whose team next hosts South Elgin at 6:30 p.m. Thursday.
Glenbard North’s next game is its home opener on Thursday against Addison Trail.