Stevenson relishes the chance to play — anywhere

Trying to get on the field has been a challenge this week.

Stevenson’s girls soccer team found its field under water on Wednesday, so the game was shifted to its opponent’s turf, at Lake Forest.

The Patriots stayed with the Scouts for a half, but Stevenson ended up with a 2-1 loss in the North Suburban Lake Division match in Lake Forest.

“It was really good to get a game in,” Stevenson coach Mark Schartner said. “To play a team like Lake Forest and play as well as we did. We certainly could’ve scored more goals.

“Lake Forest was a good team. There’s a reason that they could’ve finished first in the Pepsi Showdown. Lake Forest has a strong team and a team with a lot of depth.”

On Saturday, Lake Forest (8-2-3, 2-0 NSC Lake) lost in the Pepsi Showdown semifinals to eventual champion Loyola Academy 1-0.

Stevenson (4-3-2, 1-1) picked its chances throughout the game but just couldn’t get the one solidifying kick.

“We had plenty of good chances, but it came down to finishing,” Schartner said. “We could’ve had a couple of more goals.”

The Patriots’ goal came in the 54th minute. Austin Gregorcy tied the game at 1-1 with a penalty kick. Kara Ballard created the scoring chance inside the box.

“I bought into the player who played in behind me,” Ballard said. “I made a good run, I was going in trying to make the shot and was tripped.

“It was a good pass. We work so well together up there.”

Lake Forest responded four minutes later as Morgan McConachie scored off a touch pass from Ginny McGowan.

McConachie scored another goal in the 43rd minute off a low cross from Abby Shipp.

Stevenson goalkeeper Lizzy Sanscrainte made 8 saves. She had a couple of breakaway saves and one other that went off her hand, pushed wide around the post on a point-blank shot.

“(Sanscrainte) was outstanding,” Lake Forest coach Ty Stuckslager said. “The one reaction save she made on Haleigh McPeek, it was such a nice play. I’m disappointed we didn’t score. But it was so nice to see a keeper make a save like that with a palm and knock it out from a sure goal.

“(Stevenson) is a young team. But it’s a rugged league, everyone rises to play everybody else. So it’s always a challenge, even on your own field.”