Hilltoppers victorious again at Niles West tourney

For the second time in three years, Glenbard West picked up the Niles West tournament trophy.

The Hilltoppers' style of play was a big factor in them winning all four of their games.

Glenbard West shut out Vernon Hills 3-0 in the title game Saturday afternoon in Skokie.

Kristen Papierski scored twice and Molly Abromitis had the other goal.

"We try to play soccer and try to possess the ball a little bit," said Glenbard West coach Maciek Kumierz, whose team improved to 6-2-1. "We like to think while we play our style. Some people say you play soccer with your feet and hopefully with your heart. But you win games with your head."

Papierski pounded in a pair of free kicks, knocking one in off the crossbar in the 16th minute and adding her second goal in the 67th minute.

"Scoring on free kicks is my specialty -- that and long shots," Papierski said. "Some can be lucky and some can be intentional. You just see a space and try to hit it hard enough. It really doesn't matter if the keeper is there."

Abromitis scored in the 26th minute as Katie Watt assisted.

Mallory Livingston and Sara Pinter combined for the shutout in goal, with each making 3 saves.

Vernon Hills (3-6-4, 3-1) saw its season-best winning streak snapped at three games.

The Cougars had scored 14 goals in their three previous games, which included a 6-1 victory over Latin on Saturday morning.

"(Glenbard West) was the better team," said Vernon Hills coach Vince DeLuca, who saw his team take second place. "We just didn't play. Glenbard West had a lot of intensity that we didn't have."

Glenbard West reached the final game by outscoring Antioch 4-2 in the morning.

The Hilltoppers got goals from Ashlyn Selzer, Haverly Snyder, Watt and Nikki Peterson.

The Sequoits got both of their goals from Kia Miller. Susie O'Connor assisted on both.

"They were better than us," Antioch coach Charlie Trout said. "Besides Carmel, they're the best team we've played. They're organized and play well. I felt very good for us to get two goals against a very good team."

Antioch (7-2-2, 2-1-1) won the third-place game 3-0 over host Niles West.

Miller, O'Connor and Kelly Pish scored. Keeper Katie Budd made 8 saves and earned her seventh shutout.