Elgin Academy blanks Westminster Christian

Elgin Academy was playing its third girls soccer game of the season, while Westminster Christian's players were still partly in basketball mode.

That was key Friday as the Hilltoppers downed the Warriors, 2-0, in Elgin. And a large dose of Lauren Steimle and Ashley Barnes didn't hurt, either.

"They were the difference in the game," said Westminster coach Mike Richardson.

Steimle scored in the first half and Kacy Rauschenberger added an insurance goal in the second half. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Bianca Swegler and the Hilltopper defense, led by sweeper Alyssa Pena, kept the Warriors off the scoreboard.

Angie Martinez, playing her first season of soccer, was also solid on defense.

"Coach Richardson does a pretty good job with that team, they're always defensive oriented," said Elgin Academy coach Greg Repede. "But we played well. Our defense has been solid, and Bianca in the goal is tough."

The first 25 minutes of the game were played largely in the midfield as neither team could mount a solid scoring chance. The Hilltoppers (2-1) finally broke through when Steimle pounced on a loose ball, beat two defenders, and banged in a shot off the left goal post.

Rauschenberger made it 2-0 when she knocked in a rebound with 32:45 to play. Barnes and Emma Stone were credited with a double assist on the play.

Steimle had several more good shots to increase the lead, but couldn't connect again.

The Warriors finally mounted some scoring chances late in the game. Rachel Doby broke free, but Swegler came out to cut her off. Later, Doby made a nifty cross to Sarah Rodgers in great position, but Swegler made the save.

"I'm trying to train a basketball team right now," said Richardson, whose team played its season opener. "I'm trying to get them into soccer mode."

Rachel Farquhar had 8 saves in goal for the Warriors.