Conant over Hampshire 2-0

Last week's snowstorm delayed the start of Grayslake Central's inaugural girls soccer tournament by a day.

That didn't faze Conant.

Once the white stuff was cleared off the artificial turf, the Cougars posted a whitewashing on it Wednesday.

They scored both of their goals in the first half and held on for a 2-0 victory over Hampshire.

"I didn't have too many complaints coming off the field at the end of the first half, (especially) playing on a big field," Conant coach Jason Franco said. "We did the little possession stuff very well. We can keep the ball on the pitch very well and did that today. We've got dangerous players up top that can get in behind the ball."

The Cougars scored their goals five minutes apart midway through the opening 40 minutes. Lauren Jason gave Conant a 1-0 lead and Michelle Rawleigh made it 2-0 off an assist from Marrisa Ross.

Rawleigh's tally came on a volley with her right foot.

She's left-footed, mind you.

"It was a perfect cross from Marrisa," Rawleigh said. "It was directed to the right spot. … I was just happy to get a shot on goal and not put it at the keeper."

Hampshire, which finished fourth in state in Class A last year, put together a strong second half and had a few scoring opportunities.

"We had more balance in the second half," Hampshire coach Patrick O'Brien said. "We adjusted our formation and it seemed to work for us.

"Conant came out and did exactly what they wanted to do (in the first half). You can tell they're comfortable with each other. They know what to do with the ball. I look for them to be a quality team in AA."

The Whip-Purs' Christine Schumacher had a goal-scoring chance in the 46th minute, but defender Emma Loos cleared the ball off the line, saving a goal.

"It was a rough first game and we had a lot of nerves," Schumacher said. "It was hard, but we worked hard in the second half."

Conant goalkeeper Monica Danek earned the shutout by making 4 saves.

St. Viator 4, Niles North 0: St. Viator didn't show any freshman jitters in the opener of its annual tournament moved to Niles North because of field conditions.

First-year players Taylor Skala, Siobhan Klinkenberg and Christine Straka combined for the all the Lions' goals in their victory.

Skala scored twice and Klinkenberg and Straka had the other goals. Colleen Henegan and Lauren Cozzi had 2 assists apiece.

Mary-Kate Supplitt (4 saves) and Stephanie Shanahan (2 saves) split the shutout in goal for the Lions.

Hersey 3, Benet 1: Amanda Slove, Ashley Martin and Kathryn Korff had the goals as Hersey won its opener in the St. Viator tournament.

Katie Drees, Sarah Stoltzner and Chelsea Santora got the assists for the Huskies. Keeper Julia Fredin had 7 saves.

Oak Park 2, Buffalo Grove 1: Allison Heissel scored an unassisted goal with five minutes left as BG (1-1) avoided the shutout in the Lake Park tournament played at Oak Park.

The rest of the tourney will be played at Oak Park -- BG will play Glenbard South at 4:30 p.m. today, Mundelein at noon Friday and Lake Park at noon Saturday.