Girls soccer: Stevenson shuts out Warren, clinches NSC title
Going through the North Suburban Conference girls soccer schedule isn't an easy task at all.
Stevenson has been able to get by each of its opponents by a narrow margin with a lot of credit going to its back line and goalkeeper Jenny Staten. The Patriots haven't allowed a goal in any of their conference games and have 8 straight shutouts. Staten now has 14 shutouts on the season.
Grace Wingfield and Kalyssa VanZanten each scored goals leading Stevenson past host Warren 2-0 in an NSC match on Thursday night.
The Patriots (16-1-2, 6-0) have clinched the conference title with Libertyville's 1-0 defeat of Lake Forest.
"That's our plan, to do whatever it takes to win," Stevenson coach PepeJon Chavez said. "Tonight was a big night to mature going against (Warren). They're battlers, organized and very technical. Take a look at their scores, they can score goals. For us to shut them out proves that keeper Jenny Staten (4 saves) is great. But, without the back line in front of her Warren (9-7-2, 2-2-1) probably could've scored. But I just can't give all the credit to the back line, because in the second half, the difference was (Warren) didn't get many shots. That's our central line and high line pressing them knowing they can't go that low. Warren is just too good and the teams we play are just that quick. Our defense just works that much harder."
On the back line, the Patriots were led by Kayla Constabileo, Paige Copeland, Lily Malidavian and Myah Schoolman. That group made it a tough task for Warren's attack getting many shots.
"I don't know if everyone can hear (Jenny Staten), she's a great organizer back there," Constabileo said. "I just make sure the back line knows what they are doing and the midfield knows what they're doing because then we're organized and keep everybody on the same page."
Through the first 40 minutes it was a 0-0 battle. But then in the second half, the Patriots found a way to break through as Wingfield hit a ball in the box that found its way off a Blue Devils' defender and into the goal.
Notre Dame-bound VanZanten scored her 19th goal of the season on Gabby Nyc's free kick in the 69th minute. VanZanten scored on a volleykick on the run, placing the ball into the corner.
"Based off the season that Stevenson has had, you knew it was going to be a battle," Warren coach Ryan McCabe said. "A lot of these North Suburban Conference games are hard, physical battles. I don't think we've run into one that hasn't been, so I fully expected that coming in.
"Stevenson's defense was definitely good and organized as well. We did have some chances, but we have to make sure that we put them away. Still, pleased to be in that position to put the ball into the back of the net. It's just a matter of getting it there now."