Elk Grove stops Libertyville in OT
Elk Grove’s girls soccer team didn’t get many quality shots on Thursday night, thanks mostly to Libertyville’s stingy defense.
But the Grenadiers’ Michelle Calmeyn did get a couple — and she made the Wildcats pay.
Calmeyn’s second strike was the decisive one. It came in overtime as Elk Grove edged Libertyville 2-1 in a Pepsi Showdown second-round matchup.
Elk Grove (5-1-1) advances into the tournament’s Round of 16 and will meet up with No. 1 seed New Trier at noon Saturday at Olympic Park in Schaumburg.
Calmeyn earned her own opportunity to decide the match. She turned a ball back from the corner and the end line, then beat a pair of Libertyville defenders in the 88th minute.
“Katie Naughton hit a perfect pass down the sideline,” said Calmeyn, who’s scored 12 goals in 7 games. “I wanted to take it in, saw an opening between them and had an opportunity for a shot.
“Libertyville did have a strong defense back there, but our 1-2 give-and-go’s were working.”
The Wildcats (3-2-1) dominated possession for much of the match.
“Libertyville knocked the ball around,” said Elk Grove coach Dan Klaus, who was glad to walk out with the victory. “Libertyville used the size and the width of their field and possessed it wonderfully. We had our small moments, but it wasn’t enough.
“Libertyville will be a team to contend with, but I’m proud of these girls surviving the onslaught.”
Calmeyn opened the scoring in the 34th minute with an assist from Jocelyn Potratz.
Libertyville responded in the 59th minute when Colleen O’Connor finished a ball after a short cross from Sydney Mudd.
The Wildcats didn’t get the result they wanted, but no one was disappointed with the effort.
“We played well,” Libertyville coach Scott Schinto said. “Soccer is a funny game. We can control the game for 90 percent and lose the game. We owned the game and just can’t finish. We have to continue working the ball and getting good looks. We have to look to shoot.
“We do have some things to work on and tighten things in the back and quit making mistakes.”
Libertyville will play a consolation match against Wheaton Academy at noon Saturday at Olympic Park.