Waubonsie Valley’s progress shows

Defending state champion Waubonsie Valley came into the 2011 season with a mostly young and inexperienced squad.

Nine games in and the young Warriors are beginning to make a difference, especially on the score sheet.

Behind a pair of first half goals, one each from freshmen Mackenzie Fuller and Kristen Brots, the Warriors held on for a 2-1 victory over Fremd during Thursday’s invitational at Naperville North.

Waubonsie Valley (5-4-0) advances in the tournament after going 2-0-0 with Wednesday’s 4-0 win over Hinsdale Central coupled with Thursday’s victory.

Despite the slow start to the season, sophomore Jenna Romano is confident that this young Warriors squad is hitting their stride at the right time.

“It was a big shock for us, especially after winning the state title last year,” Romano said of the slow start. “I think we have a lot to look forward to. We’ve been working really hard together and picking ourselves up after some tough losses.”

Waubonsie Valley struck first 11 minutes in when Megan Green assisted Fuller’s first goal at 29:50 of the first half. Fuller’s 23-yard kick sailed over the head of Fremd goalkeeper Shannon Norris for a 1-0 Warrior lead.

Fremd (8-2-0) answered right back at the 5:19 mark of the first half when Caroline Wagner netted a goal off a corner kick by teammate Jennifer Freeman.

However, Waubonsie Valley quickly answered right back just over a minute after Fremd’s game-tying goal. After the ball bounced out of the hands of Norris on a save attempt, Brots quickly gathered the rebound and found the back of the net for a 2-1 lead.

“The ball just bounced off the goalie’s hands and I followed the shot,” Brots said.

After the game, Romano couldn’t say enough positive things about the pair of freshmen.

“They don’t even play like freshmen,” Romano said of Fuller and Brots. “I know last year I was very nervous, but they’ve really stepped up.”

Fremd had many more scoring chances in the second-half, outshooting its counterpart 7-3 in the final 40 minutes. The Vikings’ best chance came with 16:35 left, but Michelle Mottonen’s kick sailed to the right of the goal post.

Three other second half shots sailed over the Waubonsie Valley goal.

“Our defense was solid tonight,” Fuller said. “We were able to work through everything as the game progressed.”