Girls soccer: Mundelein's quick strikes do in Libertyville
In the North Suburban Conference, you never know what to expect in the battles on the soccer field.
Mundelein scored 2 goals in less than a minute in the second half, which was enough to bounce past visiting Libertyville 2-1 in an NSC matchup on Tuesday night.
The Mustangs (7-6, 3-2) got their goals from Chicago State-bound Gigi Sahagun and Kate Hay while Libertyville (8-6, 2-3) had a goal from Melani Faber.
"Coming from behind, we really didn't play well in the first half at all," Mundelein coach Heather Crawford said. "We got outworked a little bit. But, when we catch our stride and start to connect passes, good things happen. (Libertyville) is our rival and our girls were up for this game. All we needed was one and I knew that we would get another one. It's a great one to win."
Mundelein has been trying to get healthy in the long run of the season and has started to find its stride as the regular season begins to wind down.
"We're still battling through another injury, but I think people are rallying around each other," Crawford said. "It's the next man up mentality. I think the girls have done a great job and some of them have stepped into some big-time moments, big-time games, and are doing well."
The Mustangs were down a goal and found a way to tie it up on Tuesday off a corner kick from Hay in the 63rd minute. Sahagun scored her eighth goal this season and her fourth one on a header into the back of the net.
"Kate sent me the ball right to me and I just knew it was my shot and I directed it into the corner," Sahagun said. "It's more of the direction of the corner that makes a difference. I just go to the ball and find the open shot."
Just less than a minute later, Hay was on a loose ball and scored her first goal of the season on a rebound that put the Mustangs up for good at 2-1. Stephanie Griparis had the initial shot.
"I just never let up on the pressure and just follow up on the goal no matter what," Hay said. "We never give up on the team and it's a team effort."
Libertyville's Faber scored the opening goal in the 30th minute on a 20-yard kick that went under the crossbar. Lauren Rocco assisted by dropping the ball off to Faber.
The Wildcats couldn't find a way to hold onto the lead in the second half.
"It was kind of disappointing. Give it to Mundelein," Libertyville coach Daniel De Paz said. "They came out and worked hard for it. Right now, we're in a tough stretch of the season, not really working hard or working our best. We just got outworked towards the end."