Cadets pull out victory

Scrappy defense and a hard-to-find final link to the goal on offense can make for a day of scarce scoring chances, and Marmion and Glenbard North had just such a day on Monday.

In a soccer game in which each team managed only 4 shots on net apiece, ultimately it was a bit of stick-to-itiveness from Pablo Del Toro that gave the Cadets (7-4-1) a 2-1 win over the Panthers (6-5-1).

"He got knocked down, got right back up, and took the shot," Marmion coach Kevin O'Connor said of Del Toro's goal from 10 yards out.

"They finished on the chance they had, so give them credit," said Panthers defender Matt Keating. "We didn't finish on our chances."

The game largely pitted Marmion's possession game against the Panthers' counterattacking efforts in Carol Stream. Glenbard North grabbed a 1-0 lead in the game's 10th minute when Bryan Noval settled a ball in the box and then tucked it inside the near post.

Noval sent a handful of shots wide on restarts in the contest, and broke in alone on Cadets goalkeeper Michael Meszaros in the 51st minute, with Meszaros charging out to thwart Noval's offering.

The Cadets tied the game in the 27th minute when Sam Duffield elevated in front of the Panthers' goal and headed in a throw-in by Doug Conroy. The Cadets played well to feet throughout the first half, but struggled to find another good scoring chance.

"I was happy with our possession through the midfield, but we didn't keep our runs going up top so we were playing 18-to-18 (yard markers)," O'Connor said.

"But as long as we keep progressing and working to get consistent -- and we're getting closer -- I'll take it."

Led by Conroy and Luke Friedman, the Cadets' back line also stood tall in the face of a more pressing Panthers attack in the second half.

"Organization, and communication between all four of us in knowing where the (front)runners were at," Friedman said. "We did that well today."

"In the second half I was happy with our play. We created some opportunities, and just weren't able to finish them," said Panthers coach Greg Chrisman, who applauded the play of center mids Branden Maw and Mike Eskridge.

Keating slid from outside defender to sweeper early in the contest after Jake Tenut left with a lower-leg injury, and the senior thwarted plays and dispossessed well in the Panthers' defensive third.

In the game's 68th minute, Del Toro rose from the turf on the left side in the box, took a touch and effectively finalized the deal for Marmion.

"Defensively, I thought we were solid the whole game, and I thought from start to finish, our effort was pretty good," O'Connor said.

Girls volleyball

St. Francis d. IC: Michelle Kocher tossed up 25 assists and Megan Barnicle put down 7 kills to lead the Spartans (16-1, 5-1) to a 25-14, 25-19 Suburban Catholic Catholic victory. Danielle Remy had 4 kills and 4 blocks for Immaculate Conception (10-7, 1-4).

Glenbard West d. Palatine: Kara Stack, Amy Kendall and Lisa Fraticola reeled off 4 aces apiece to serve the Hilltoppers (11-8) to an 18-25, 25-6, 25-7 nonconference win.

Montini d. St. Edward: The Broncos (9-8, 2-3) outlasted their Suburban Catholic Conference foe 25-16, 22-25, 25-20 behind Stephanie Viane's 18 kills, Danielle Fracasso's 10 kills and Alyssa Holum's 38 assists.

Downers South d. St. Charles East: Christine Bowe and Kelsey Safranek each landed 8 kills to power the Mustangs (9-3) to a 25-21, 25-18 nonconference sweep.

Hinsdale Central d. Leyden: The Red Devils (8-9) rolled to a 25-18, 25-10 West Suburban Conference crossover win sparked by Amanda Freyn's 9 kills and Natalie Skiba's 3 aces.

IMSA d. Fenton: Lauren Stanek totaled 22 assists and Lauren Esmits collected 14 digs and 3 aces in the 25-16, 25-21 nonconference loss for the Bison (4-10).