Girls soccer: Freshman Genthner strikes late, lifts Naperville North over Fremd
Two of the best soccer teams around met at Hildebrandt Stadium Wednesday when Naperville North visited Fremd for a nonconference matchup in Palatine.
This 80-minute contest did not disappoint the big crowd. It took a 71st minute strike by freshman Brooke Genthner to give the visiting Huskies (3-1-0) a hard-fought 1-0 victory.
"It was a great game, and to beat the No. 3 team in the state made it even better," beamed Huskies keeper Olivia Ochsner, who came to the rescue when called upon turning away three quality chances including two in the second half by Sami Serpico.
"We were missing five players who were either injured or out sick, but we received a lot of great contributions tonight. (Many) came from our younger players like Brooke (Genthner) whose cool finish was the difference in this game tonight," said Huskies coach Steve Goletz.
A strong, gusty wind made for plenty of one-way traffic in the first half for the visitors, who enjoyed plenty of the play, but saw the best chances fall to the Vikings (3-1-1).
"(It's) great having a keeper like Olivia (Ochsner) back there for us. I know for myself, I always feel like she will make a big save when we need her to," said junior Lily Radek, a key figure both on the backline and when she joined the attack going forward.
A well played combination by Serpico to teammate Lily Mayer forced a nice save by Ochsner from close range just before the intermission.
The Huskies would open the second half on their collective front foot which led to a chance by Cameryn Lynde through some fine work by Kennedy Bertsch, who drew praise from Ochsner, Radek and Steve Goletz afterward.
Serpico was superb, twice on the turn using her body to get herself enough time and space to unload back-to-back left-footed crackers that Ochsner turned aside.
With a 0-0 draw nearing, Amanda Ratz stepped into a square ball, played quickly to Genthner, who outraced the Vikings on the outside before cutting in and firing into the far inside netting with composure.
Next up for the Huskies will be their Malnati's Deep Dish opener on Saturday at Lake Forest, while the Vikings host league rival Prospect on Friday.
"Right now we're trending downwards a little after our 3-3 draw on Monday with Hersey (in) a game we were up 3-1 at one time," said Fremd coach Steve Keller.
"(Naperville) showed a lot of spirit, great communication and high energy, which we did not match. So we'll address that and work on those things right away."