Girls soccer: Early goal holds up for Elgin in win over Hampshire

Welcome to early spring girls soccer in Illinois.

There were more snow showers (2) than shots on goal (1) in the first half when Elgin hosted Hampshire in nonconference action Monday.

The good news for Elgin: the Maroons' Hayly Munoz took that lone shot.

The even better news: it went in.

The snow (mostly) held off in the second half and both teams put balls on frame with some regularity, but Munoz's goal in the second minute held up as the Maroons walked away from Memorial Field with the victory.

The teams had barely settled in when Elgin took the lead in the season opener for both teams.

"Britt (Dazo) was open and she crossed it," said Munoz. "I waited in my space and I saw this big opening. I took the shot and it went in."

The defenses took over after that. Hampshire's back line, led by Veronica Walker, kept the pressure off Whip-Pur goalkeepers Livia LaMarca and Christine Abihudi.

The Whips made a push to even the game as they controlled the early part of the second half. Lara Dulaca had a solid chance early in the half, and Mattea Huerta hit a free kick solidly. Margaretha Troyke made the saves and the Elgin defense, led by sweeper Kylie Graves, did the rest.

The cold, blustery conditions didn't exactly come as a shock to anyone.

"We've been out there, we've been working in these conditions," said Elgin coach Alicia Knoll. "We've been getting out in this weather. I think it was first-game jitters a lot. We played well for it being the first game."

The Whip-Purs were able to regain their equilibrium after giving up the early goal.

"Giving up that early goal was deflating," said Hampshire coach Colin Brice. "But I think that later in the first half we started controlling possession. Then in the second half they did very well, coming out in the first 15 minutes and getting after it. I just think our fitness level, especially at the beginning of the season, kind of showed in the last 15 minutes."

Elgin had a couple of chances to add an insurance goal late. Makenna Downing got a shot from close range. LaMarca went down to make the save right off her foot. The rebound caromed to Morelia Gonzalez, but her shot was high.