Girls soccer: Dover, Prospect strike fast to top Conant
Anna Dover's early goal gave host Prospect a 1-0 victory in its league opener on a mild but windy Wednesday night over visiting Conant in Mt. Prospect at George Gattes Memorial Stadium.
The Knights (2-1-0, 1-0-0) took the lead inside 10 minutes when Dover sent her 20-yard left-footed effort just over the gloves of keeper Annabel Danso and under the crossbar to give the home side an advantage it would hold onto the rest of the way.
"I was real proud of the effort and work rate the girls gave tonight. It got a little nervous in the last 10 minutes, but we held (Conant) off to get ourselves a nice win tonight," said Knights coach Mike Andrews.
"(They) had a lot of the play in the first half, but I felt that our play in the second half was much better, particularly in the last 10-15 minutes," said Conant coach Jeff Melone, whose club drew 1-1 with Schaumburg on Monday in its MSL opener.
The Knights attack was rampant during the opening half hour, creating a handful of chances, while enjoying 75% of the possession.
Dover and her teammate Courtney Bradbury, who bagged three goals in the Knights’ recent 4-1 victory over Cary-Grove, always seemed to be around or on the ball during the first half — with Sienna Murray a constant ball-winner in the middle of the park.
"Sienna was on our backline last year for us, but this year she has provided some real quality of play in the midfield," said Andrews.
"We had a lot the play tonight, and except for us having a little trouble managing our lead late in the game, I thought we played really well on both sides of the ball," said Murray.
The Cougars’ central-defending duo of Reese Staniak and Gianna Richter were outstanding all throughout, providing sharp tackles and 50-50 wins when the visitors needed them.
"Reese and Gianna were great in the back for us (they) kept us in the game all night, while giving us some real strong physical play also," said senior outside-back Olivia Hagler.
The home side would create five corners in the second half, but Staniak, Richter and Hagler did well to defend them to help keep their chances alive.
Conant will host division rival Palatine at 6:45 p.m. Friday, while the Knights entertain Rolling Meadows on Friday.