Stingy Hilltoppers searching for a goal
By Gary Larsen

 

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Glenbard West has only given up a single goal in its last three games. Unfortunately, the Hilltoppers haven’t been able to find the net.

Goalkeeper Anna Soane and Saturday’s starting back line of Jamie Henkel, Becca Dugan, McKinzie Powers, and Alyssa Cantore spent Saturday shutting out Glenbard North in a 0-0 tie, and the Hilltoppers defended well all over the field against local powers Downers Grove South and Lyons Township recently.

With a little more room to operate in the attack against the Panthers on Saturday, the Hilltoppers found a few dangerous chances but couldn’t convert.

“Glenbard North had chances and so did we. It could have gone either way,” Hilltoppers coach Maciek Kusmierz said.  “Coming out of the two games against Downers South and LT, who make it difficult for you to do anything, we were hoping to get some goals today. We had a few very good chances. We just weren’t able to put the ball in the net.”

Truth be told, it was a collective defensive effort that helped the Hilltoppers to a 0-0 tie with DG South, and which allowed them to take LT into overtime before giving up a goal and losing 1-0.

“(LT) beat us 4-0 last year,” Hilltoppers senior Natalie Salo said. “They’re physical but we weren’t necessarily intimidated because we knew what was coming. We overcrowded the middle against them and played defensively, and we did find a couple of chances. In the second half, for about fifteen minutes, we were in their half, so we were really proud of the way we played in that game.”

On Saturday, the Hilltoppers sent a few chances wide from distance in the first half. The visiting Panthers sent a few shots wide to start the second half and sent in a few long throw-ins to the goalmouth that Soane swatted away or punched out.

Hilltoppers freshman Megan Kostolansky broke in  behind the Panthers’ back line but North’s keeper dove right and saved the shot. Kelly Klink sent in a shot from 20 yards late in the contest and the Hilltoppers had a corner kick in the game’s final minute that led to another shot sent wide .

“We’re trying to build more plays out of the back and that’s what we’ve been working on,” Salo said. “With Kaitlin (Moore) up top now, we’ve been really working on finishing a lot in practice, and getting that extra touch off your foot a little faster.

“We’ve improved in releasing the ball a little faster to each other, and coach likes us to play simple. You don’t need to do any fancy moves to try to get around people. We’re working to get that last touch off our foot a little bit quicker.  I think that’s the key that will lead to finishing.”

Soane is proud of the way her backline has held up at the West attack continues to find its footing.

“The girls in back are great,” Soane said. “They get back when they need to, they hold the ball, and they’re always on their players. We’re talking and working well together.”

Kusmierz liked the effort he got from all 11 players on the field when his side went up against DG South and Lyons Township.

“It’s been a team effort,” Kusmierz said. “We’ve kept the games tight and we know what we have to do to have a chance against the top competition. I would hate to single out anyone because it really has been an effort by everyone on the field to keep those games close.”

The Hilltoppers travel to Proviso West for a Tuesday game before returning home for a game on Friday against local rival Glenbard South.

“We’ve improved a lot since our first game against Wheaton North,” Salo said. “We didn’t have much chemistry with the ball then, but now it’s easier to make runs with each other and pass. We’re creating more of a team than individual players with talent.”