Wheaton Warrenville South 1, Naperville Central 0
Wheaton Warrenville South's season in girls soccer has played out like a great ensemble movie -- no star, but one heck of a supporting cast.
"Collectively, as a team, they've shown that you can really have strength in numbers," said Tigers coach Guy Callipari. "We work all the way down our bench."
WW South improved to 15-1-1 overall and 5-1 in DuPage Valley Conference play after Allie Bellmer's goal in overtime downed Naperville Central 1-0, and gave WW South a chance at a piece of this year's DVC crown.
"They tested us in all areas, both teams wanted it and both teams went for it," said Tigers defender Amy Quintana.
Callipari's program won the DVC crown from 2000 to 2004, placed second from 2005 to 2007, and a win on Thursday over Glenbard North would ensure a tie for first this year with the Redhawks.
The Tigers earned an 12-2 edge in shots on net against Naperville Central (17-5, 6-1), leaving coach Ed Watson to bemoan his squad's primary disadvantage.
"It was two good teams, and their forwards outplayed our forwards," Watson said. "It was that simple. We had some chances, but they had a lot of chances."
With three or four Tigers approaching 10 goals scored this year, Callipari has gotten big contributions in the attack from Bellmer, Taylor Nieling, Leah Johnson, Sarah Langlas, Liz Ciesielski and Deena Tillawi.
"They're not your typical forwards," Callipari said. "You might think they're too small or too awkward, but they all have good skills with a ball at their feet. They're crafty."
After a scoreless 80 minutes, the Tigers' Lauren Livingston slid a pass to the right side late in the first overtime to Bellmer, who dribbled up alone on net and negotiated an understandable emotion in the process.
"A little bit of fear, I'm not going to lie," Bellmer said. "Lauren made an unbelievable pass, and I figured that if worst came to worst, one of my teammates would (follow up)."
Bellmer's low, hard-hit shot from 10 yards out burned a path to the back of the net. Redhawks freshman goalkeeper Krissy Many was steady in making 11 saves before Bellmer swooped in alone on her in the game's 87th minute.
Callipari applauded the play of his girls in back and the job done in keeping a handle on the Redhawks' Casey Short.
"We just had to be sure we knew where (Short) was at all times," said Quintana, who has teamed in back to great effect this year along with Brooke Ulrich, Bridget Shrigley and Bridgette Kragie.
Afterward, Bellmer offered as good an assessment as anyone of this year's Tigers, who started the season under the rankings radar but continue to have an exceptional year.
"We're surprising everyone," Bellmer said, "except maybe us."