Short-handed Warriors keep battling against T-Bolts

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By Curt Herron

It would have been understandable if Lincoln-Way West's players would be a little down after following the first half of Tuesday's match with Andrew.

After all, the Thunderbolts had kept up a regular barrage against Warrior keeper Kayla Bryant throughout the first 40 minutes.

And if weren't for the fine play of the sophomore in the net, the score would certainly have been worse than 2-0 in Andrew's favor at the break.

But instead of tossing in the towel, the young Warriors continued to battle against the T-Bolts during the second half of the SouthWest Suburban Red match.

And even though it wasn't able to find the net, West could walk away feeling positive about several aspects of its 3-0 loss to Andrew in New Lenox.

Warrior coach Jeff Theiss was pleased with how his team battled, especially since several regulars weren't available to play due to injuries.

Click to hear coach Jeff Theiss interview

The T-Bolts (4-4-2, 1-0) took a 3-0 lead just 4:02 into the new half when Katie Truesdale got free and fired in a short shot into the opposite side of the net.

Emily Scott, who scored Andrew's other two goals during the opening half, had at least three good chances to connect again before the midway point of the half.

But she was stopped on a pair of line drives as well as on a bouncer by Bryant, who needed to record over 20 saves during the match.

The Warriors (3-6, 1-1) mounted some of their best challenges against T-Bolts during the final 20 minutes of play.

One came with about 15:30 to go when Emily Kowalski sent a free kick in from 40 yards out that was hauled in by T-Bolt keeper Rachel Matthews.

With 11 minutes remaining, Traci Bianchi passed the ball to Kalin Winans, who deflected the ball off of a defender that led to an unsuccessful corner.

Perhaps West's best chance of the evening came with 5:12 left when Cori Brennan got free on the side and fired off a shot that was deflected by the keeper.

Following the subsequent corner kick from Kowalski, Winans headed an attempt over the frame in what turned out to be the final good chance of the match.

Click to hear Cori Brennan interview

During the first half, the T-Bolts dominated in possession as they played a rather frustrating game of keep away from the Warriors.

Andrew got things started quickly at the beginning of the match, recording its first shot on goal during the initial two minutes of play.

The visitors got on the scoreboard just 4:24 into the match when Scott fired in a liner from about 25 yards out that found the upper corner.

It was more of the same over the next 10 minutes as the T-Bolts continued to apply the pressure on Bryant and her defense.

After Scott was denied on another liner, Emily Truesdale had a shot blocked by Kelly Forbus and then Carina Alvarez was stopped by Bryant.

Just over 11 minutes into the match, Alvarez sent in a grounder that hit the left post and remained in front of the net until cleared by Winans.

Bryant halted three more good efforts shortly before the midpoint of the opening half, with the last coming on a liner from Scott.

But with 17:29 left before the break, Scott finally found the net again after getting free in front and firing in a short attempt.

The T-Bolts continued the barrage as Bryant was forced to make four more saves on good attempts during the next 10 minutes.

West finally made its biggest push into Andrew's side of the field with just under eight minutes left before the break.

Brennan got free of defenders and was charging downfield with the ball when she was tackled just beyond the top of the box.

Winans placed her free kick over the net to conclude the Warriors' only good scoring threat of the initial half.

Andrew had two more good opportunities after that but Bryant stopped a liner and Winans cleared another shot attempt.

The Warriors host a round-robin this tournament this weekend, which kicks off on Friday with a 6:30 p.m. match with Wilmington.

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