Soukup's quick strike helps Palatine sink Elk Grove
A lightning-quick strike from Carolyn Soukup was the difference in a 1-0 victory for Palatine on Wednesday against visiting Elk Grove in Mid-Suburban League girls soccer.
The Pirates' freshman strolled in just seconds after the opening whistle and fired past Melissa Solorio, who had no chance to stop the close-range shot which ended up giving the Pirates their first win of the season in the MSL after two losses and a draw.
"It's kind of hard to believe we basically stood still and allowed (Palatine) to come down and score just 14 seconds into the match - and that it would be the eventual game-winner on top of that," said Elk Grove coach Dan Klaus, whose club was looking to extend its win streak to two in the league after dropping contests to Fremd and Hersey.
"We looked like we were sleepwalking in that first 15 minutes," said Klaus, "but once we woke up and began to play a little, I thought we defended pretty well - especially in the second half when they were in our end most of the half. But we had our troubles connecting from the middle to up top, and that's where our attack suffered the most."
An unforgiving, cold wind was at the Grens' back in the first half, but somehow the Pirates enjoyed the run of play with Kellie Reynolds, Mackenzie Filian, Gina Falato, Soukup and senior Michelle Raymond showing plenty of energy.
"It was great to score so early," said Raymond, who was at the heart of mnay Palatine chances. "But we really should have had a few more goals when you look at the opportunities we created, and with how many shots we had at their keeper."
While the Grens (2-4-0, 1-3-0) just never seemed to get top-flight striker Nikki Zaino nor her running mate Cassie Slattery in play, the Pirates were able to target forwards Reynolds, Soukup and Raymond on a regular basis. That's partly due to the high rate of 50-50 wins from Erin Mayer and Tori Jackson, who were constantly sending the ball back into the Grens' end.
"Erin, Tori and Mackenzie were winning everything all night long, and it helped keep the pressure on Elk Grove, particularly in the second half," said Pirates long-time assistant, Charlie Gries, who stepped in for head coach Willie Filian for this match. "But we just were not sharp enough in the final third, so we wasted some very good chances we created."
Elk Grove stayed close thanks to a sound last line of defense.
"Jocelyn (Potratz) did an excellent job for us in the back, as did Melissa, who made a couple of very good saves for us," said Klaus.
Potratz took a sure goal out of the area in the 36th minute before it was Solorios' turn to shine. The veteran keeper stayed alert when a long throw from Allison Rzepka was cleverly flicked by Reynolds to Raymond, whose attempt was stopped with confidence by the Grens senior.
Elk Grove managed to produce consecutive corners shortly thereafter, and sophomore Bailey Murphey showed her dead-ball prowess with two dangerous serves from the flag. But the Pirates defended both chances smartly and cleared the area without further trouble.
Once again, Potratz tracked back and cleared another potential goal off the line sent in from Filian after a long throw from Rzpeka to help keep the Grens' hopes of equalizing alive. Slattery and Zaino worked a nice counter in the 76th minute, but Morgan Radtke's tackle turned a possible breakaway on her keeper, Rachel Rhodes, into a corner instead.
Radtke, Rzepka and Carry Iacullo ended up helping Rhodes earn the shutout.
"We were a little overwhelmed when we played Barrington, New Trier and Buffalo Grove, three of the best in the state, but we did well to come back twice against Conant to earn a draw," said Gries. "So we showed we can play against a very good team, and compete, but, again, we just have to get better in the final third."
Buffalo Grove 2, Schaumburg 0: Kelli Zickert had a pair of unassisted first-half goals, and the visiting Bison (12-0) made them hold up in a 2-0 MSL victory as Sarah O'Connor earned a shutout.
Conant 3, Prospect 2: Drew Wentzel scored twice and Leah Celarek once to help the host Cougars edge the Knights to improved to 4-1-1.