Girls soccer: Conant wins at Prospect, protects West lead

After Conant's girls soccer team suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Fremd last weekend, Cougars coach Jason Franco said he still felt his side was top-four worthy in the Mid-Suburban League.

On Wednesday in Mt. Prospect, that position got some supporting evidence as the Cougars got themselves an important 1-0 victory over one of the best teams in the MSL East, thanks in part to a Stephanie Mazurek goal and some terrific defending.

Taylor Cyr was the beneficiary of quality work from the Cougars' back line in earning the shutout as the visitors improved to 7-2-0 overall and 6-2-0 in the conference - good enough for 15 points, keeping them ahead of both Barrington and Fremd.

"That loss to Fremd was diappointing, so it was important for us to come out and play well tonight against a good team like Prospect, plus try to get a win to send us into the Naperville Invite with some momentum," said Conant junior Elizabeth Dolce, who was moved from her customary spot along the back into the midfield for the first half to add some physical and defensive presence.

"We were wary of Prospect," said Franco. "They have some very good attacking weapons, and they really had the best of it in the first half, especially when they played through No. 16 (Ella Marzolf). But I thought Bella (Grebenor) did a good job on her in the second half, and that was a big reason for our success after the break."

It was a lot of Marzolf, Aly Kobler and Shawna Stokes during the opening period, with each taking turns individually and collectively to be dangerous moving forward for the Knights (2-3-1, 2-2-1).

"With an opponent as strong as Conant, we knew our opportunities would be difficult to create," said Prospect coach Tom Froats. "We did put together several in that first half, but we just were not able to get anything really dangerous on frame."

With the wind at their back after the intermission, the Cougars found new energy and took advantage in the 63rd minute as Mazurek solved a stingy Prospect defense by surging just inside the box and getting to a ball from Miranda Glennon to drive in the game-winner.

Prospect push extra numbers forward in an attempt to tie it, but a Natalie Marfilius attempt missed wide of the back post, while a counter started by Kristin Schneider and Ashley Welk ended with Kobler dragging her shot off the mark in the 72nd minute.

• After a less than dazzling start to the season, look who's atop the MSL East.

Defending divisional champion Buffalo Grove overcame a valiant comeback from host Rolling Meadows to earn 3 points and take over the top spot after a 4-2 victory at Robert Hoese Field.

Their third straight win puts the Bison even in league play at 3-3-0, good for 9 points - and 2 points clear of Prospect, which fell at home to Conant.

"We didn't play very well at the start of the season, but our young players are really coming around, our chemistry is very good, and so is our defense which has been stronger each time out," said Bison senior Courtney Lee, who provided the type of work rate and energy needed for the Bison.

The Mustangs (2-5-1, 1-3-1) were up and running from the opening whistle, and while the visitors were trying to organize themselves during the first-quarter hour, Rolling Meadows, led by Katherine Perille, Claire Preissing and Kyra Spiwak, kept the Bison under pressure by playing quick, possession-based soccer.

"I really thought we were the better team in the first half - it was some of the best attacking soccer we've played this season," said Mustangs coach Mike Drenth. "We did just about everything right - but finish."

Last year's MSL East player of the year, Georgette Topalis, put the Bison in front just two minutes into the contest when her cross into the box went off a Mustangs defender for an own goal.

Freshman Macy Floro, one of the first-year players Courtney Lee praised afterward, doubled the Bison advantage in the 35th minute on a one-timer off a corner.

"We probably deserved a better fate at the break with us creating chances, but not finishing, but I was real proud of our effort in the second half with us coming back to get even," said Drenth.

The Mustangs pulled one back at 52 minutes when Natalie Anderson redirected her header into the back of the net after going up to meet Perille's wonderful helper. And just after the hour, the hosts equalized when Spiwak steered in her left-footed attempt from 22 yards.

The response from Buffalo Grove was quick and deadly with a Gina Bolis long-range strike going past keeper Kelsey Nallon at 67 minutes, followed by Topalis' second goal about two minutes later.

• Elk Grove got 2 goals and an assist from Leila Aguilar and 1 goal and 2 assists from Emily Sitkowski in a 6-1 win against Hoffman Estates in MSL action.

Amanda Sitkowski, Zoe Blomquist and Teodora Evtimova also had goals for the Grens, and Kate Talens and Maram Safi contributed assists.

• Barrington earned a 2-1 victory over Schaumburg thanks to goals from Anna Brodjian and Kayla Keck.