Johnson, Neuqua Valley show they're ready

A cross-town soccer game against a school you haven't beaten in four years can muster a good, healthy dose of classroom anxiety.

"I was so ready to play. In school today I was just sitting there, like, shaking," said Neuqua Valley senior Shelbi Johnson. "I just wanted to get the day over and get the game going."

Johnson converted that nervous energy into a pair of goals in her squad's 2-0 win over Waubonsie Valley, in Monday's Upstate Eight contest in Naperville. Neuqua (10-2, 5-0) hadn't beaten Waubonsie (5-3, 3-1) since May 28, 2005 - the year the Wildcats won the state title.

With Alexa Gaul making 7 saves in the shutout, Neuqua Valley also got a solid day of play from midfielders Jessica Pinto, Alexa Wilde, and Allie McBride.

"We played hard, and we played effective, I thought," said Neuqua coach Joe Moreau. "We played hard for 80 minutes, and although Waubonsie controlled some of the play, we played smart and effective soccer."

Waubonsie's vaunted possession game flashed dangerous throughout the contest, earning the Warriors a 12-8 edge in overall shots. But whenever they produced a dangerous shot on net, Gaul was there to stop it.

"I wish I had one more step on (Gaul)," said Waubonsie forward Vanessa DiBernardo. "It seemed like we'd always get there at the same time, and she'd get there before me."

"We're playing good soccer. We just need to capitalize on our finishes. That's what we need to work on."

Bri Rodriguez and Tina Tomaras also tested Gaul on Monday.

The Wildcats struck first in the 31st minute, when the junior Pinto sent a screamer in from 30 yards out. Waubonsie keeper Claire Hanold leapt and tipped it off the crossbar, the ball hit the ground at the goal line, and a charging Johnson nearly ran through the back of the net in finishing on it.

"I just wanted to follow it, no matter what," Johnson said. "I didn't know if it was in or not, so I just drilled it."

Five minutes later, Johnson had Moriah Pinto to thank for setting up her second goal, when she played a long serve in from the right side. From 12 yards out, Johnson lofted a head shot that fell under the crossbar, and the day's scoring was done.

"(Pinto) is a freshman playing because our starting outside back is a little injured," Moreau said. "We've talked about early crosses, and that was a great ball. Shelbi attacked the box, and that's another thing we've talked about."

Moreau also applauded the back line play of Courtney Ksiazek, Brenna Vogel, Kelsey Mulcahy, and Moriah Pinto in the shutout.