Girls soccer: Conant blanks Hoffman Estates
Goals from Sophia Bertani, and Emma Simpson led host Conant's girls soccer team past Hoffman Estates 2-0 Friday night at Charlie Feutz Field in Hoffman Estates to give the Cougars (2-0-0) 3 points in their league opener.
Coach Jason Franco's Cougars, who had been idle since March 16, needed nearly the entire first period to shake off the rust until Bertani ran freely to the back post to finish a wonderful early ball from Hannah Husnick to give the home side the only goal it would need.
"We were not very sharp at the start tonight. We've been off two weeks but Sophia, who scored three in our opener against Taft, got us the opener and Emma scored a great goal to help us get a win over a Hoffman team that fought hard right until the very end," said Franco.
"We're a little tired, and beat up some with three games this week, but I am very proud of the effort, especially in the second half when we showed more energy, purpose, and work rate even after we went down two goals," said the Hawks' new head coach Mary Dansdill, who starred at her alma mater and would go on to do the same at Wheaton College.
The speed of Sarah Bradley on the outside led to the Cougars' first real good attempt on frame, which came from her teammate Megan Ferengul in the 20th minute while the Hawks' (2-3-0, 0-2-0) best chance came just after the half-hour when Sam Roberts saw her close range attempt blocked.
After a tepid affair in the first half with neither side unable to impose themselves in the final third, it was the visitors who went close when an Emily Rios-Palacios free kick was pushed up and over the bar with a late save when Cougars keeper Sydney Litney elevated high into the air.
Bertain used a sublime touch to go past Hawks keeper Paige Schneider, who had no chance in the 47th minute, but it was a brilliant solo effort from Simpson that would double the advantage of the home side 8 minutes later.
"I said to myself at the half that I needed to dribble more, and that's what I did on that goal," said Simpson, who tricked her way free with a series of magical moves before unloading her 30-yard cracker.
The strong play from the Hawks' back line trio of Maya Schmidt, Madison Garcia and Izzy Troyer earned praise from Dansdill afterward, as did the work rate and willingness to take instruction as one of a handful of positives that have put a smile on the Hawks' head coach thus far.
"They're a terrific group to be around and coach and I am thrilled to be a part of this soccer program once again," said Dansdill, whose club will host reigning Mid-Suburban League champion Barrington Wednesday.
Next up for Conant will be division rival Palatine on Wednesday night.
"With just two games under our belt we're still sorting things out here and there because of our youth and inexperience, but tonight the girls gave a pretty good effort to get our first conference victory," said Franco.