Wendell's goal enough as Hersey edges Cary-Grove

Hersey's girls soccer team ended a hectic, busy week on the upswing with a 1-0 victory over Cary-Grove on Friday at Roland Goins Stadium in Arlington Heights.

Senior Abby Wendell drove home the lone goal of the match at 23 minutes when she drove in a free kick past keeper Morgan Olson.

The shot came from just outside 20 yards to push the Huskies' overall record to 2-1-1 after they went 1-1-1 earlier in the week at the Carmel Invite in Mundelein.

"It's been a long week for all of us, but with each time out we got better and better, which is a good sign with all of the inexperienced and young players we have on our team this year," said Annie Korff, who along with teammate Kayla Knauss led a back line filled with first-time varsity players.

They played in front of new keeper Claire Gritt, who takes over between the sticks for 2014 all-stater Morgan Harris.

"It's going to take us awhile as we continue to sort things out with our formation and lineup, especially since we're not used to each other out there," said Hersey coach Darren Llewellyn. "It will take while to get to know what fits best with what we have on this roster but I agree with Annie - we've progressed with each game we've played. And that's something good for all of us to take heading into spring break."

Llewellyn's four key seniors (Korff, Knauss, Wendell and Sara Magnuson) helped lead the Huskies to a MSL East division crown last season.

While the Huskies played four matches this week, Cary-Grove coach Ray Krystal watched his club put its first contest of the 2015 season into the score book on the chilly afternoon.

"Yes, it's true, it's good to get that first game finally played and out of the way," he said. "Now we'll go forward as we look to develop our personality and identity, while setting out to find out what type of team we'll become."

From time to time, the Trojans enjoyed the run of play, despite going up against a side which had already played 240 minutes together this week.

"It was what I expected, to be honest," Krystal added. "There was the good, the bad and a little bit of ugly out there today.

"But I would say for the most part, there was far more good than anything else. But that doesn't mean we don't have plenty of work ahead of us when we get back to training."

The Trojans will compete in the Lake Park Invite next week, opening tourney play against Batavia on Saturday (its lone match during spring break).

Llewellyn's side gained its reward for an impressive 5-6 minute sequence before Wendell's game-winner.

But until her free kick, this match was evenly played. The Trojans' Teagan Jones, Emma Baker and Kelly Stayart each took turns finding their way into the Huskies' final third.

"With so much inexperience in spots, we allowed (Cary-Grove) to get in behind far too much to my liking," Llewellyn said. "So it's something we'll need to continue to work on in order to correct that problem."

The speed of play increased after intermission.

Just a few minutes into the second half, the Trojans, on a nice buildup which began in the middle of the park from Katie Connor - ended with Stayart driving her back post strike wide from 12 yards.

Moments later, off the counter, Conner connected with the freshmen Jones.

But a 20-yard attempt went over the bar.

The attack from the home side came alive after Cary-Grove's strong start after the break.

It was Kelly Weyhrich, Jessica Schmidt and Grace Kozurek who provided the Hersey revival.

Schmidt nearly doubled the Huskies' advantage at 56 minutes as the senior forced Olson to save her near post attempt.

Hersey continued to protect its lead during the final 10 minutes of regulation without too much trouble. But the Huskies were forced to hold their breathe when Frankie Frericks and Stayart set up Jones.

Jones' close-range strike was pulled out of the air by Gritt, who was in full extension inside the 6-yard box.

"It was good to see us create some chances in that second half," Krystal said. "And to watch everyone give it their best while out there in this first game. I thought we gave a pretty good effort for most of the day, and now we have something to learn and build from."