Girls soccer: Schaumburg withstands elements, Elk Grove

The injury bug has does its best to dampen the spirits of Schaumburg's girls soccer team by challenging the team's depth.

Yet despite doing battle with that challenge as well as its opponent on Wednesday, the Saxons have done their best to stay mid-table in the Mid-Suburban League.

In dreadful weather conditions which included two lightning delays, Schaumburg earned a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Elk Grove at Gary Scholz Stadium.

"We lost four midfielders after losing two (on Tuesday) and a defender earlier, to make it five on the season," said Schaumburg coach Greg Charvat. "But somehow we've pieced things together and continue to fight hard, and tonight was another example of that."

The previous night, Schaumburg (4-9-2, 3-4-2) played 100 minutes in a scoreless draw with Conant.

"Even after playing Conant last night in the cold, and in overtime, I felt we still came out and played a decent first half, but a much better second half to get this win," said Schaumburg junior Gina D'Orazio, who was active throughouth the game at midfield and provided an assist on the game's only goal, scored at 55 minutes by Kayla Kowal.

There was no faulting either side's effort on this cold, wet night, which was interrupted just before the opening whistle and once again minutes later after the start but lightning warnings. But it was obvious during the early exchanges that the strong wind and slippery footing would make things difficult to play through.

"Schaumburg impressed me with their play along the back, where they didn't give us a lot of room and time in their final third while also getting to the ball quickly, which really helped keep our chances to a minimun," said Elk Grove coach Dan Klaus, who has been happy with the play of his club of late. "We really only had a couple of stinkers this season, against Conant and Wheaton St. Francis. But other than that, we've been getting better each time out, with several of our younger players finally able to play more to the speed of play in the MSL."

The Grens (3-8-2, 2-6-1) entered this night on a two-game win streak after victories over Rolling Meadows and Wheeling.

Forwards Cassie Slattery and Kelly Walter ran hard all night long at the Saxons' backline, and both were involved in the two best scoring chances for the visitors. Both opportunities came in the second half.

"We've been playing well of late," said Slattery, a senior, "but we're still a very young team, and sometimes a young team struggles with the speed of play, or defending set-pieces, much like we did tonight. And it was the difference in the final outcome."

Just after the intermission, the Grens let down in their dead-ball coverage on the second of two consecutive corners put into play by D'Orazio, who sent her inward swinging corner into the mix. The ball fell near an opportunistic Kowal, who wasted little time in delivering from near the spot.

"We haven't done well in that part of our game all season long, and once again, it cost us tonight," said Klaus.

Twelve minutes later, a brilliant early ball from Walter set Slattery free up the right side, and the quick-thinking striker nearly caught Saxons keeper Emily Reddy off her line with her long-range snap shot. But the Schaumburg junior hung on to the well-struck attempt.

"(Their) keeper had a good night, especially late in the second half when we had two great chances to equalize," said Klaus.

Walter unloaded a free kick around the Saxons' wall at 74 minutes, but Reddy moved without hesitation to her near post to pull in the 24-yard blast.

Despite some anxious moments in the closing minutes, the Saxons' back line of Abbey Paolicchi, Melissa Nava, Alexis Orozco and Julia Morales stayed organized to help close out their guests.

"Our one constant has been our back line, and tonight was no different," said Charvat.

Prospect 3, Hoffman Estates 0: The host Knights picked up a key win in their bid for an MSL East title as Shawna Stokes scored twice, Ella Marzolf had a pair of assists and Amy Novak had 1 goal and 1 assist.

Mehgan Rickett recorded the shutout in goal behind defenders Tina Suto, Marissa Valentini, Natalie Marfilius, Grace Johannesen and Kathryn Szukalla as Prospect improved to 9-2-2 overall.

Conant 10, Wheeling 0: Kaylin Feeley and Madison Krause both finished with 1 goal and 1 assist and Emily Mazurek scored twice for Conant.

Gianna Angiulo had 3 assists, and Stephanie Mazurek, Morgan Ragusin, Bella Grebenor, Rachel Raymer and Lauren Murphy had single goals as Taylor Cyr earned a shutout.