Conant in holding pattern leading 1-0

Mother Nature 1, sectional girls soccer 0.

After beginning their match in a steady rain, Conant and Bartlett were chased off the pitch at Millennium Field in Streamwood Tuesday night when dangerous weather lit up the radar screen and caused the postponement of the IHSA Class 3A sectional semifinal match between the two clubs.

Game officials suspended play after 40 minutes with Conant (16-1-4) leading 1-0 over the Hawks (17-7-1). The teams will resume today at 5 p.m.

The winner will advance to play for the Bartlett sectional title Friday against Geneva, which upset St. Charles North 1-0 in overtime in the first semifinal Tuesday.

With slick conditions adding even more speed to the superfast turf, both sides struggled on attack. The host Hawks (17-7-1) found a way to play through its midfield as Luisa Desario ran the show with terrific pace and energy.

But the Cougars struck for the lone goal at nine minutes when freshman all-state candidate Courtney Raetzman was able to find just a hint of a touch to redirect a superb ball sent through by teammate Alyssa Stylski to score.

Hawks keeper Erin Zaideman wasn't seriously challenged after the Raetzman strike, but an aggressive offsides trap nearly gave Conant a trio of breakaway attempts. Only the offsides flag ended the Cougars' hopes of a potential 1-on-1 situation with Zaideman.

Conant had advanced to the semifinal match by defeating Wheaton North 1-0 Friday, while the Hawks held off Schaumburg 5-4.

At Jacobs

Barrington's Class 3A semifinal match against McHenry was postponed by the inclement weather and will be played today at 6:30 p.m. In the earlier semifinal match, Huntley rallied to beat Rockford Boylan 2-1 in overtime.