Larson’s saves key Carmel’s tie

Carmel Catholic’s Katie Larson made 10 saves, including a sprawling stop of a header by Morgan McConachie in the second half, as the Corsairs played Lake Forest to a 1-1 tie in Mundelein on Saturday.

Both teams tied for second place in the three-day Carmel quad.

The sophomore Larson allowed just 2 goals in three games.

“I just go for the ball,” Larson said. “I don’t want it to go in. I just do whatever I can to stop it.”

Defense has been the big key for Carmel (1-1-1). Against Lake Forest (1-1-2), Sarah McHugh, Shannon Jung, Maggie Karich, Helen Wagner and Caitlin Jung all stepped up. Their effort was especially important for the Corsairs since a number of their players are out with injuries.

“We have played with heart all week,” Carmel coach John Halloran said. “They played with a ton of guts.

“All things considered, it was a good week. The girls that were out there were pretty tough with three games in four days. They know they have to fight through it the first couple of weeks.”

Carmel scored in the seventh minute, as Ashey Orth finished a header off a Brianne Carlson cross for a 1-0 lead.

But a couple of minutes later, Lake Forest’s Ginny McGowan scored the equalizer.

“(Carmel’s) goalkeeper made some huge saves and held onto the ball in tough situations,” Lake Forest coach Ty Stuckslager said. “We’re lacking some true forwards and the final touch when to release. (Carmel’s) defenders did a nice job defending our shots, and the defense did well to cover for each other with great speed.”

Hersey 3, Prairie Ridge 0: At Carmel, the Huskies capped off the quad with their third straight shutout.

“This one was better than our last two,” said Hersey coach Brad Abel, whose team is off to a 3-0 start. “We’re rotating people and keeping our shape on the ball. We’re solidifying the back. We’re giving more shots outside than inside the box.”

The Huskies’ back row includes Stefanie Mueller, Olivia Stasiuk and Megan Brant. Keeper Erin Reiff made 5 saves for her third shutout.

Reiff moved into the goal this season after playing midfield and forward the last couple of years.

Eileen Zydek and Nicole Pietro both scored unassisted goals in the first half for the Huskies. Kaitlyn Smetand scored the other off an assist from Maeva Waterman in the 60th minute.