Wheaton Academy shuts out West Aurora
Goals from junior Jaime Netzley and freshman Erin Teevans helped earn Wheaton Academy its second win of the season in its home opener against West Aurora on Wednesday night in West Chicago.
The Warriors (2-0) blanked the Blackhawks 2-0 for their second shutout after a 9-0 win at Montini on Tuesday in the season opener.
"We've worked really, really hard on organization, keeping our shape," said Warriors coach Dave Underwood. "What I've been really pleased with particularly for our first two games is how well they're playing within the system that we want them to play, staying organized. I've been very, very happy with that."
A big part of Wheaton Academy's game is pushing its wide players high up the field, and it showed in the first half when sophomore Gretchen Pearson found herself working up and down the right side of the field.
With the width and Netzley making smart runs through the middle, the Warriors would have had some good scoring chances had West Aurora goalkeeper Bailey Ziman not been quick off her line to stop a couple breakaways.
The Blackhawks (0-1) defense kept relatively organized throughout the half but came undone by a fast and well-executed counterattack from Wheaton Academy.
Midfielder Gabi LaMantia picked up a quick pass after a broken-up Blackhawks play and quickly found Netzley running through the middle, receiving the pass for a breakaway and calmly finishing for her third goal in two games.
Heading into the second half down, 1-0 the Blackhawks continued to struggle to link any kind of offensive play, though still being seemingly organized defensively.
"First half I think we were caught a little off guard with their formation, second half we adjusted and I think we played a lot better second half…," said West Aurora coach Laura Wagley. "We cleaned it up in the second half by man marking their three up top and the girls adjusted well to that."
The Warriors found their second goal midway through the second half. Teevans picked up the ball at the top of the 18-yard box, cut inside of her defender and hit her shot into the bottom left corner of the net.
It was the freshman's fifth goal in two games after four goals in the season opener against Montini.
"I'm honored to play varsity," Teevans said. "I wasn't sure I was gonna make it, but it's a really good experience and everyone's so nice. I think today we were a little more nervous because we knew they were a pretty good team and just needed to calm down."