Gregory comes to Stevenson’s defense
Christine Gregory has taken on a new role this season with her move to the stopper position, which has been a big plus for Stevenson’s girls soccer team.
Gregory picked up her first assist on Saturday, while Katie Krejsa scored twice and assisted on the other goal by Kara Ballard.
Stevenson ended up with a 3-0 victory over Whitney Young on Saturday morning in a consolation game of the Pepsi Showdown at Olympic Park in Schaumburg.
Last year, Gregory played midfield. But with a very young roster this spring, Gregory was asked to take her senior experience to the back-line to help shore up the defense.
“We needed some help on defense and I’m trying out a new position,” Gregory said. “It’s definitely very different, and I have to rely a lot on my sweeper (Austin Gregorcy) to help me out to see who’s around me. That’s so I can mark up. But there’s always communication, because we switch all the time.”
Other key Stevenson defenders include Molly Brandt, Micaela Miller and Morgan Meyer.
Ballard opened the scoring in the seventh minute off an assist from Krejsa. Then Krejsa found the back of the net with an unassisted goal in the 25th minute.
Gregory served up a long service, and Krejsa scored her second tally for the other goal.
Kresja has scored 5 goals in her last two games and has 9 and 4 assists in 8 games for the Patriots (4-2-2)
Jordan Jabrack earned the shutout in goal and made 5 saves against Young (6-4-3) as starting goalkeeper Lizzy Sanscrainte was given a day off.
Stevenson had lost its previous two Pepsi Showdown games — on the road at Lincoln-Way North 3-1, and to Hinsdale South 2-0 last Saturday at Olympic Park.
The Patriots needed to improve their intensity and worked hard toward that goal over the last week during training.
“We got things done in practice this week that gave us better play,” Stevenson coach Mark Schartner said. “We’re better organized than we were last Saturday.”
Stevenson will have a couple of North Suburban Lake matchups ahead, with Lake Forest on Wednesday at the Vernon Hills Athletic Center and Thursday at Mundelein.