Raetzman, Fitzpatrick injured as Cougars fall to Fillies

By Mike Garofola

Just after defeating Rolling Meadows last week, players from Conant immediately turned their attention to the upcoming rematch of the 3A supersectional last May with MSL West rival Barrington- a match which would eventually send the Cougars to their first-ever state tournament appearance.

On the bus ride over, and before the visiting Fillies from Barrington would take the pitch in Hoffman Estates Wednesday night, captain and backline star Amy Johnson said her club was anxious to make amends for the 2-0 defeat one year ago.

Barrington would get its revenge Wednesday at chilly Conant, however the homeside would suffer more than the 1-0 defeat.

The Cougars also lost one of the best in Courtney Raetzman to a first-half ankle sprain, and all-area MF Brenna Fitzpatrick (hip) just before intermission, sending home a wet and cold Conant faithful wondering how long their two stars will be out of Jason Franco's first-11.

Junior striker Emily Hyde would strike the lone goal of the night at 44 minutes, and a strong backline effort from the visiting Fillies proved to be the difference to send the Cougars to their first defeat of the season.

"We knew (tonight) would be a physical match, but it was tough to overcome both of those injuries to Courtney and Brenna, and having to go the rest of the night without either of them," said Kelsey Foss, whose backline was tested frequently early on as the visitors charged off the starting line.

Raetzman would be carried off at 15 minutes when the all-state sophomore went down after challenging a 50-50 ball, and would only return to cheer on her mates on crutches, with Franco saying afterwards that he hopes her ankle injury won't keep her on the shelf for too long.

The Cougars head coach will keep his fingers crossed for a speedy recovery by Fitzpatrick, as well, after the junior injured her right hip at 33 minutes during a scrum inside the Conant 18 following a particularly frustrating sequence in which Franco was booked for dissent for what he thought was far too many calls going against his club.

"We had a difficult time connecting through our midfield and forwards, but it was hard to regroup after both Courtney and Brenna went down, until later on in the second half when we began to play a little better," said junior Paige Wenzel, who would stay in the middle of the park after the Fitzpatrick injury.

Both Raetzman and her partner up top, Kaitlin Chiero, had but a few touches up until Raetzman was gone, and in wasn't until near the hour mark that the Cougars began to gain back some of the run of play.

With the help of Sam Armando off the bench, and the move of Sammi van de Linde from the backline to an outside MF spot, the homeside would mount several good runs forward in its quest to find the equalizer after Hyde's strike.

Hyde got the game-winner when she burst into the Cougars' third to collect a loose ball, before unloading a shot from 25 yards.

Unfortunately for Conant, the ball bounded off one of its defenders and past a helpless keeper Lindsay Fillingim, who was already moving towards the near post in anticipation of a shot.

"It was a tough goal to give up at the time, but we didn't really generate any quality chances of our own, thanks in part to the Barrington defense," said Franco.

The Conant backline of the aforementioned Foss, Hailey Andress, Kelly Lomas and Kim Trinco, brought on when van de Linde was pushed forward, helped keep their club within striking distance.

They did so by by keeping the Fillies in front of them for most of the second-half, while only allowing their guests a pair of opportunities to score against Fillingim.

The junior responded wonderfully, stopping Hyde with a kick-save when a valiant run of her line, then later, turning a terrific free-kick from Johnson away and around the post in the 68th minute.

"We all knew this would be our most important match of the season thus far, and although it wasn't the prettiest soccer, because of the weather conditions, we're still really glad to come away from here with the victory," said Johnson, who was the first player from Barrington to offer a handshake to Raetzman afterwards.

A crisp and exciting run and carry up the left side by van de Linde saw the sophomore put a ball through the 6-yard box and past the far post just afterwards.

And with regulation nearing an end, Lomas sent a long ball to the spot, in which keeper Kelly Pedersen pulled out of the air and any danger.

"Up until now, we've been a close team, now we have to become like (family) to help overcome our two injuries and to be ready for the games ahead of us," offered Foss.