Hornets shut out vs. rival Hinsdale Central

PHOTO GALLERY COURTESY OF HARRISON BULL
CLICK HERE FOR HINSDALE SOUTH'S TEAM PAGE

By Chris Walker

Illinois Benedictine was the place to be on Thursday night for fans of Hinsdale Central and Hinsdale South athletics.

The two schools faced each other simultaneously in softball, baseball and girls soccer, and while the Hornets won the baseball game 12-1 and the Red Devils breezed to a 10-3 victory in softball, the girls soccer game proved to be the only contest that went down to the wire.

Darby Moran followed Eryka Hawkins' shot and cleaned up on it with 24:58 remaining in the second half to score the game-winner, as Hinsdale Central held on for the 1-0 victory.

"Eryka sent the shot and the goalie couldn't fully get her hands on it and I was there," Moran said. "I thought we came out stronger in the second half which was good, our defense remained strong but we had more possessions which helped set up the goal."

Hinsdale Central (6-5-2) snapped a two-game losing streak with the win.

"We used all twenty kids on the roster and we had used a lot (Wednesday night) that ate up a lot of minutes," Hinsdale Central coach Skip Begley said. "I think right now we don't want to kill ourselves and have to win every game, but get the kids valuable experience and get them a chance to play in different circumstances instead of training and practice."

Several players stepped up for the Red Devils, playing extended minutes and helping the team hold on for the victory.

"Hadley Harrison did a nice job filling and playing more in back, Lily Chetosky filled in nicely and Julia Gesior too," Begley said. "These are kids that don't start but played more and Lauren Shroyer came back from an injury."

Hinsdale Central's freshman keeper Riley Glenn showed poise in the net, holding on for the shutout.

"She made some nice saves tonight," Begley said. "Especially one late where she laid out."

Hinsdale South, winners of five of six games coming into Thursday, came out strong and had four opening-half corner kicks compared to just one by Hinsdale Central but couldn't finish the few chances it created.

"I think we played better in the first half and overall the opportunities were pretty even," Hinsdale South coach Pat Wolf said. "They took advantage of their opportunity and got their goal there, we had a couple corner kicks and a chance there but, you know, it's tough."

Hinsdale South (6-5) played hard against their rival and Staci Ruzicka and Meagan McPherson did their part to try overcome the Red Devils, but they just couldn't do enough to pull the Hornets on top.

"Staci was flying all over but we also need to get a little bit wider for Meagan to be able to create some more things," Wolf said. "Vanessa (Niestrom) is young but she continues to talk a lot and energizes the team."

Wolf said being is patient is one area where the Hornets can improve.

"They possessed better than us and we rushed it a bit in terms of our play," Wolf said. "I think we adjusted better and finally had them chase us more, but we were a little too inpatient at times, trying to make the long pass when there's a simpler pass to make."

Winning at Illinois Benedictine while two other of the school's sports programs were battling it out on ball diamonds adjacent to the stadium didn't go unnoticed, even in the midst of a busy week.

"It's a fun night but it's crammed into a tight space for us with conference on Tuesday, Naperville tournament on Wednesday and then this and then again Saturday," Begley said. "I think it's a great experience for the kids, and the whole atmosphere, it's a good deal."

"Of course, it's a good win to beat your rivals," Doran added. "So I'm happy with it."