Girls soccer: St. Charles East, Fremd fit to be tied

It's clear after watching St. Charles East and Fremd play girls soccer on Wednesday that both clubs will win plenty of games this spring and compete for their fair share of postseason accolades.

Two of the better soccer clubs in the area played to a 1-1 draw at Hildebrandt Field in Palatine, sending both into their spring break in a good mood.

"It was a very good game indeed, likely the most competitive between the both of us in three to four years," said Saints coach Paul Jennison, whose club improved to 2-0-1. "There was a lot of good things to take from today. We created some quality chances and defended well, especially in the second half. And we also scored ourselves a lovely goal."

"It was a good game," agreed Vikings coach Steve Keller, whose team is 3-0-1. "We're still scratching the surface in a lot of areas that need improvement, but I'm happy with what I thought was a fair result because it came against a quality opponent."

The visitors enjoyed most of the play in the first period, thanks in part to Chantel Carranza.

While playing alongside teammate Claire Rasmussen, Carranza controlled the speed and tempo of the game far better than the hosts during the opening 40 minutes.

"I thought we played real well in that first half," Carranza said. "But we were unable to continue that way after the break."

Jennison said it took a brilliant save from Kelsie Stone to keep his club off the scoreboard. The all-state keeper pushed what seemed a sure goal up and over the bar in the 22nd minute on a terrific Hannah Kolb attempt.

With intermission nearing, the Vikings finally get themselves into the game by finding forward Emilijia Peleckas more often. Her two half-chances on frame inspired the Vikings' attack after the break.

Missy Adrian stepped up with an unstoppable strike into the far side at 52 minutes after teammates Peleckas and Julia Leonard provided some help with the first goal of the game.

"We started to play more through our midfield while taking away what their midfield did in that first half," said Leonard, who will play next fall at Butler University.

Three minutes after the Adrian strike it was Carranza's turn to impress with her own stunning goal. It came after Kolb got things started with a ball out of the back to Rasmussen.

Carranza turned her mark to get enough time and space before unloading a 25-yard cracker that Stone had no chance to stop.

Fremd had two glorious chances in the final 20 minutes to get the advantage. The best came on the hour by Angie Zara.

But on a frigid day when defense ruled, things remained level on the final whistle.

"The first half was ours, the second went to Fremd," Jennison said. "But it was a well-played game by both sides and one we'll use to build off."

The Saints will go on the road a week from today to play at Elgin while the Vikings enjoy a long vacation before getting back to play on Friday, Apr. 7 against Rolling Meadows.

Conant 9, Hoffman 1: Conant led 5-0 at half and never looked back as Emily Mazurek and Stephanie Mazurek both had hat tricks. Kaylin Feeley, Madison Krause and Brittany Laskero had the other goals for the Cougars.

Carmel 2, Palatine 0: Angie Salvi and Skyler Thomas had the goals for Corsairs in their own Carmel quad match.