Cougars fall to New Trier in Naperville Invite quarterfinals

By Dan Santaromita

On a night where the wind made the match a game of two halves, New Trier came out on top 3-1 over host Conant in the quarterfinals of the Naperville Invite.

It was evident that the wind would be a factor from the start and New Trier took advantage in the first half with the wind at its back.

Sweeper Zoe Hawks scored a goal on a shot from the midfield line in the 7th minute. She hit a long ball that just kept going and going.

Conant keeper Lindsay Fillingim (9 saves) came out to play the ball but the wind affected the ball and it bounced over her head for the opening goal.

"We played pretty well," coach Jason Franco said. "We had our fair share of chances, also, but they probably deserved to win with all the chances they had.

"Obviously (Amber) Fry is the difference. She can just make something out of nothing."

Fry did just that two minutes later to get her first of two goals. She dribbled through the defense on the right and finished to make it 2-0.

"They get that (first) one and then they get another one right away and I'm thinking, 'oh man, this could be four, five goals,'" Franco said.

New Trier (15-1) continued to press, but the Cougars (7-4-1) adapted to the conditions and limited the Tr evians' chances.

However, Fry almost added another goal in the final seconds of the half but hit the bar and the horn sounded to prevent a rebound chance.

In the second half, Conant knew it needed to bring a lot of pressure with the wind now at its back and did just that.

Good combination work in the 42nd minute created a great chance in the box but the Cougars were unable to get the finish.

The chances kept on coming for Conant, but it was again and again frustrated by Hawks in the back.

Conant had a breakaway in the 53rd minute but New Trier goalie Laura Martorana (5 saves) broke up the play.

The Cougar coach and the home crowd were convinced it was a penalty, but the official saw otherwise.

Five minutes later, Cougar sophomore Chrissy Rosales had a strong effort hit the post.

Franco had Raetzman play up top in the latter part of the half and eventually she got her side on the board.

She collected the ball after a throw-in, weaved through a couple defenders and unleashed a shot to make it 2-1.

"We talked about it at halftime that if we were still down two, we would go with her and (Kaitlin) Chiero at the top and put three at the back," Franco said.

"Push numbers forward and hope they don't counter us. It worked until they countered us."

A minute after Raetzman's goal, New Trier sent a long ball for Fry. She showed off her speed and got to the ball before Fillingim, who came off her line.

Fry dribbled around Fillingim and scored on the open goal to restore the two-goal lead.

"I'm proud of the way they fought," Franco said. "We got it back to 2-1. I'm thinking it's the last seven minutes, we're going to be fighting and here she comes.

"The nice thing is we don't have to play teams like that every day."

Raetzman showed her typical quality in the midfield but it wasn't enough. The Cougars were visibly frustrated after taking their second-straight loss.

She said the Cougars didn't play as a team well enough and misses senior Brenna Fitzpatrick, who is out with a hip injury.

"We need to have more positive enforcement and leadership, which we don't have considering our one senior is injured and she's not on the field," Raetzman said. "We have no one else to step up."

Friday the Cougars will have another chance to right the ship against a top opponent when they take on Waubonsie Valley at Naperville North.

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