Girls soccer: Vernon Hills shuts out Maine East

Just a few weeks into the girls soccer season, Vernon Hills is starting to find its footing as the Cougars have opened the Central Suburban North schedule with a couple of victories.

Vernon Hills shut out host Maine East 4-0 in a CSL North match in Park Ridge on Thursday night.

The match was delayed about 20 minutes by weather in the opening minutes.

But the Cougars (3-2, 2-0) were able to handle the delay and create several opportunities in the final third.

"I think we've got a quality group," Vernon Hills coach Mike McCaulou said. "We do have four quality seniors that have been in the program with a great sense of leadership and chemistry. We have a big junior class and some sophomores that are really playing their first year on varsity. The kids are all workhorses. We don't have a ton of speed on our team. What we do have is a ton of heart and discipline. I think in this game it showed."

Grace Guillaume scored the opening Cougars goal off an assist from Jessie Biede in the 15th minute. Julia Kempf scored the second goal unassisted in the 35th minute. Then, Vernon Hills added 2 goals in the second half. Guillaume assisted to Rylee Makowskyj and Maya Oppenheim had the other one off an assist from Chloe Ravenscraft.

"It's been fun this year, after last year was canceled," said Guillaume, who has 3 goals and 2 assists this season.

"As a team we were super disappointed. It has been really fun to connect with the team. Because of COVID, we weren't able to be together as a team. Now, we can work together, have games and travel. Even if we have to wear masks, it's still worth it."

Maine East (0-4, 0-2) worked hard in trying to play more on the defensive side of the ball.

Blue Demons' keeper Amanda Smith made 18 stops and had a good defense in trying to keep the Cougars from getting off some shots on goal. Michelle Piro was a strong defender in the back who worked hard in causing problems for the Cougars' attack.

"This group is showing a lot of heart," Maine East coach Gilbert Dawod said. "They're pushing and they're coachable. They continue to get better. It's been very challenging for us, we do have a lot of sophomores and some haven't played before. They're learning and putting everything into the game."