Girls soccer: Schaumburg stays on task with victory over Rolling Meadows

Schaumburg's annual visit to St. Charles East and the Augsburg-Drach Invite last week saw the Saxons lose more than just two games out of three.

More importantly, a handful of players were lost to injury, including top scorer Dana Kiszkowski.

Despite fielding a less attack-oriented side than the one that defeated Naperville Central in the Saxons' tourney finale, coach Greg Charvat was hoping his patchwork roster would still be able to apply some pressure Friday afternoon at Robert Hoese Field.

The Saxons (5-4-0, 2-2-0) burst out of the blocks, scoring three first-half goals to go with one late in the match to record a 4-1 victory over the host Mustangs.

"Those three games in four days really took their toll on the players," said Charvat. "We suffered a couple of injuries there, then came back and lost two more the other night when we played and lost to Prospect. So we had to move a few players around to make things work, and I really didn't know what to expect, especially on a day like this. But the girls really came out and attacked and went after (it) to get a nice win for themselves."

Players were greeted with a light rain at kickoff, which grew in intensity. So did the wind, which roared through the stadium at an angle, making conditions as dreadful for the 80 minutes of soccer played.

"(Melissa) Schneider scored the first of her two goals just a few minutes into the game, but it really took us 15-20 minutes to get ourselves organized and more comfortable with the conditions," said Charvat. "And once we did, I feel like we played some of our best possession soccer of the season, which says a lot about the girls because of the terrible weather."

"To give up that early goal wasn't a good thing, but the girls responded strongly to it by getting back even almost right away," said Mustangs assistant Tim Drenth, stepping in on this night for his brother, Mike. "But we had a tough time recovering after we conceded two more before the break."

Schneider was able to finish the Saxons' first goal, thanks in part to a divine touch away from the Mustangs' defense to create some space. Before that, Al Schaar did likewise to help create the opportunity.

Natalie Anderson, who along with Alexa Davis and Sara Sheridan prove to dangerous with their speed and pace, drew the Mustangs (2-4-1, 1-1-0) back even in the eighth minute with a marvelous individual effort.

Schneider's second goal came four minutes later.

Emma Aguilar, normally stationed alongside Schaar in the middle of the park, was deployed as one of the Saxons' forwards for the injured Kiszkowski, and it was her crafty run into the box that led to the third goal for the visitors.

After Aguilar was hauled down inside the box, Schaar unloaded an unstoppable spot kick to make it 3-1 at 13 minutes.

"Emma did a great job for us today up top," said Charvat.

The hosts were sharp after the second-half restart and immediately put the Saxons under pressure with a pair of deep throws and Anderson, Davis, Sheridan and Nina Sanchez all having a hand in the action.

Sheridan forced Livvy Masi to make the save on her shot on frame in the 59th minute. But after that, the Saxons' back line rarely allowed the Mustangs much of anything dangerous on the junior keeper.

Kaithlyn Uhlman put the icing on the Saxons' victory cake in the 68th minute.

Schaumburg travels to Conant on Monday, while Rolling Meadows has a date with reigning state champion Barrington the same night.