Waubonsie Valley tops Barrington

Megan Green’s goal in the 75th minute propelled reigning Class 3A state champion Waubonsie Valley to a 2-1 nonconference victory Saturday at Barrington.

The win helped the Warriors erase the sting of a 2-1 defeat to No. 1 Neuqua Valley earlier in the week.

For the Fillies, it was another unlearned lesson in defending set pieces, according to coach Ryan Stengren.

“I thought we played a much better second half of soccer today, and after we equalized, I felt at that time if we could come away with a draw it would be a nice accomplishment against a quality opponent like Waubonsie,” Stengren said. “But giving up 2 more goals on set pieces — with the second one the game-winner — just isn’t acceptable.”

When the Warriors (3-2-0) began to find both Green and her mate in the middle, Jenna Romano, they put together a nice stretch from the half-hour mark to intermission.

“I actually thought we came out with a lot more energy than we did against Neuqua the other night, and for that matter, our (two) previous games before, but we just weren’t as sharp as we could have been when we got in close today,” Green said.

Romano was a vibrant presence in the middle, popping up everywhere with or without the ball. But except for a go from MacKenzie Fuller at Fillies keeper Kelly Pedersen at 11 minutes, and when Kristen Dodson was sent through late in the half requiring a nice tackle by Samantha Frank, neither side mustered any quality chances.

“I thought, for us, we just didn’t have a lot of energy in that first half,” said Stengren.

At 50 minutes, Romano’s superb redirected header from a free-kick serve by Green eluded Pedersen to give the Warriors a 1-0 lead.

The Fillies (5-2-0) didn’t take long to draw even. An early ball from junior Kathryn Avedon down the right side appeared for a moment to stretch the Warriors’ retreating backline. But Emily Hyde, who never stopped running, collected the loose ball. From what looked to be an impossible angle, Hyde drove her shot past Warrriors keeper Jordan Myers to make it 1-1 with 18 minutes remaining in regulation.

Green forced Pedersen to save her free kick in the 66th minute, and later the Warriors captain was at it again when her 25-yard strike was on frame.

Freshman Mia Calamari’s well-timed tackle blocked Green in close at 73 minutes, but a terrific build-up by the Warriors, initiated by Emi Yamamoto, led to an ill-advised foul just outside the box to the right of Pedersen.

Green launched a low free kick which appeared to carom off a Barrington defender past Pedersen, who had little time to react.

“This was a good win for us today and one that all of us should be proud of,” Green said.