Luka’s goal lifts Warren past Vernon Hills

Maintaining balance was a big challenge for Jackie Luka, yet she steadily found a way to make a big contribution for Warren’s girls soccer team.

Luka got knocked over a few times, but stood right back up on each occasion and shook it off in a hurry.

She also scored the game-winner, leading the Blue Devils past the host Cougars 1-0 on Saturday morning in a North Suburban Conference crossover in Vernon Hills.

“I feel like I’ve been hit everywhere,” said Luka, who stands 5-foot-4. “Every time, I got pushed down, I got right back up with a bigger force and try at 110 percent. I believe that I bring more than my size to the field. It’s a tough game and we all battled through it. I’m not the biggest one out there and I get pushed around very easily.

“It helps that my teammates encourage me to do my best and my coaches tell me to work hard in the middle with my technique.”

Luka’s skill showed in the 60th minute. She took control beyond midfield, exploited a couple of holes in the Vernon Hills defense and scored into the upper corner up against a strong wind.

“Usually, I tend to pass the ball,” said Luka, who now has 5 goals and 2 assists. “But I wanted to win so bad and it was a tough game. I was going through three (Vernon Hills defenders) and I had a chance to pass. First thought was to pass — but I was on top and I had to take a shot at it. The shot was just amazing, seeing it going in.

“I’m really not the goal-scorer. I’m more of a contributor and like the pass-off a lot.”

Warren (5-11-1) has been close to quality foes in several games, but has still mostly come up short. Maintaining control of the game’s pace may have made the difference.

“We did a nice job of the possession of the ball and working with it,” Warren coach Jeff Knouse said. “We’re definitely playing better and moving the ball better. We have been struggling to score as of late, and were doing a better job right now.”

Warren keeper Megan Byrd earned the shutout with 7 saves. Blue Devils defenders Katharine Schwede, Katie Murphy, Rylee Parker and Kenzie Verheyen helped limit Vernon Hills’ opportunities.

The Cougars (7-3-1) showed some pretty good effort but were not rewarded for it.

“I’m not disappointed at all,” Vernon Hills coach Vince DeLuca. “(Warren) got the goal and we didn’t. I thought we still played well.

“We haven’t had a chance to play all week and haven’t been outside all week. It was nice to come out and play a good game. We did what we could do and just didn’t get the ball into the back of the net. Warren also did a good defensively on us by limiting our shots.”