Barrington stops Naperville North
Barrington produced a stubborn defensive display to frustrate visiting Naperville North, and a second-half goal from freshman Elli Ackermann helped the Fillies (2-0) capture a 1-0 victory over the Huskies on Wednesday afternoon in a nonconference soccer match in Barrington.
After rolling over West Aurora 7-0 in its season opener on Tuesday, the Huskies were stymied by an inspired Fillies backline which features just one returning starter from last season’s Mid-Suburban League championship club. Still, Barrington played with plenty of confidence, particularly when faced with the piercing long throws from Kirsten Anderson and well-paced free kicks off the left foot of Jamie Meno.
“I thought we defended really well as a unit for most of the match, and did especially well on all of (their) set piece opportunities, as well as keeping their chances to just a few against our keeper, Kelly Pedersen,” said Barrington coach Ryan Stengren, whose squad snapped a 5-game losing streak against Naperville North (1-1).
“We had a little trouble at the start in the middle,” said Barrington junior Sara Condon, “but then we dropped Emily Hyde back to help defend. The girls in the back did really well throughout the match and helped make it a little easier for the midfielders to go forward and attack.”
Condon’s midfield counterpart, Adrienne Schertz, was just as involved for the Huskies and had the bulk of the touches in the first quarter hour of play. But the visitors were unable to solve Pedersen and the Fillies defenders.
“We created some chances here and there, but we weren’t sharp enough when we needed to be,” said Naperville North coach Brent Terada, who was without standout sophomore Zoe Swift for a second straight match.
The hosts took advantage of speedy sophomore Aimee Pierce along the left side throughout the match. She repeatedly created space on the flank to help break down the Huskies’ defense on that side while helping create trouble near the goal, along with Hyde, the Fillies’ leading goal scorer last season.
The duo nearly connected just four minutes into the match, and again just after intermission when Hyde’s crossfield header saw a one-timer from Pierce go just wide of the far post.
Condon had a go at 25 minutes, forcing North keeper Abby Green to save.
In the final five minutes of the first half, the Huskies’ attack came alive.
A superb ball out of the back from Meno broke down the Fillies in their own end and allowed Tori Novak to split the defense and gain an extra step on a pair of defenders. Pedersen, recognizing trouble, raced from her line to challenge the onrushing Novak. The senior striker shot just wide of the post. Moments later, Pedersen punched away a ball sent to the spot from Meno.
“Right now we miss players like (Swift) and Rycke Guiney (an all-stater last season) in our attack, but it’s early, and we’ll get that part of our game together really soon,” said Meno.
Just moments after being brought on, Ackermann spoiled the Huskies’ afternoon when she ran on to a ball from teammate Dana Nelsen on the left side and scored from a tough angle past Green, who at full extension was unable to stop the only goal of the match.
With Condon and her midfield teammate Sarah Fox winning most of the 50-50 balls, and the Fillies backline of Dana Kopp, Mortan Stachura, Emily Morin and freshman Mia Calamari staying organized and composed, the Huskies could not solve their hosts — even after pushing Alex Wernette, Christa Szalach and Angela Widlacki forward as they searched for the equalizer.
“I thought this was a good win for us against a tough, physical team that plays direct and hard for 80 minutes,” said Stengren, “ but we have to keep it all in perspective, because it is so early in the season.”
“We didn’t get this much pressure last night against West Aurora, and when we did (today) I thought we panicked a little bit and did some things that we normally will not do,” said Meno, an all-sectional player last season for the Huskies.