Bulldogs score first but fall in shortened match to Wildcats

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By Darryl Mellema

In a real sense, Batavia's soccer team is working to build a complete performance.

The Bulldogs have played well defensively this season but have suffered from a goal drought.

On Monday, that drought ended in a deluge – but not the kind of downpour anyone wanted to see.

Batavia, which went ahead in the opening 10 minutes when Jenny Steurer scored, suffered a 2-1 loss to Plainfield Central in a match that ended less than five minutes into the second half when lightning filled the skies.

"We had a shot right there, right before the lightning struck, and hit the post," Batavia coach Jim McAlpin said.

That shot came off the foot of forward Abby Gray, who was one of those who threatened at times for the Bulldogs.

In a frenetic first half, Batavia also had good scoring chances from Hillary Cooper and Becky Bartos, as well as Tory Kinnard.

And Steurer's goal was certainly a highlight. The junior outside midfielder's goal was the fourth scored by the Bulldogs in six matches.

"She plays that outside wing position with lead feet and a big heart and she's always in the right place," McAlpin said.

"She was in the right place and she put it in. There wasn't anything magical or mystical. She does what she's responsible for. She cranked on the ball when it came across."

But Plainfield Central survived those chances and then won through a pair of Krista Pezzopane goals.

Pezzopane tied the score in the 13th minute of play and then scored what proved to be the match-winner with 1:17 left in the half.

"We had a breakdown on the outside," McAlpin said.

Intermittent rain became steady during halftime, though the weather was not so severe as to prevent the second half from kicking off.

But lightning ended play for the night. After waiting, McAlpin consulted with match officials and decided the game could not continue.

As it had in its 1-0 loss to St. Charles East, the Bulldogs kept things tight defensively and built toward attack.

Batavia had more possession than it had in its loss to the Saints and generated more chances. But too often those final touches were still lacking.

"It's probably mental as much as physical," McAlpin said. "We're working hard in practice. We just make those mental lapses and make the wrong play at the wrong time.

"It's not from a lack of effort. It's execution and inconsistency in good execution."

Batavia has the rest of the week to prepare for Saturday's noon contest at Bartlett. That match should prove to be just as testing as any in the early season.

"We'll be all right," McAlpin said. "We'll bounce back. We played three games in Lake Park and gave up three shots in three games and came out with a 1-1-1 record."

McAlpin said some lineup changes could be coming in an effort to help produce more offense.

"It's the time of the season, when we haven't gotten into conference play, to do those kind of things," McAlpin said. "We'll think about it and talk about it and decide what to do."