Lions ready for upcoming schedule of big ESCC matches

By Mike Garofola

With four teams still alive in the race for the big trophy in the East Suburban Catholic Conference - there's far too many scenarios and so little space to list them all for fans of Saint Viator to sift through.

But know this, the Lions are ready for the task ahead.

On Monday afternoon in Arlington Heights, the Lions won 2-1 in their annual friendly with the North Suburban Conference power Stevenson.

Afterward, Lions coach Mike Taylor, and one of its best, Katelyn Hammarlund, proclaimed their club fit and anxious for the next seven days of the regular season.

"This team has a good postseason run in them, if we can continue to play at a high level, as we have, and give the same kind of work rate we've all seen during the past two weeks of the season," said Taylor.

The win gives the Lions (12-8-1) four victories in their last five matches, to set up their meeting with ESCC-leading Nazareth this Wednesday on the road.

With a victory there, it sets up another big match next Wednesday, in its season finale with long-time rival Carmel, which also happens to be Senior Day.

"It's great to see us finally playing the way we know we can, and to be playing really good soccer at every position," said Hammarlund, who drew her club even with her 14th of the season at 22 minutes.

"One reason for our success has been the move of Ari (Ariana Kulinczenko) into the back, and another is the way we're finally understanding the way (coach) Taylor wants us to play. It's fun out there now."

It wasn't much fun in the early stages when Missy Loretto gave the Patriots (9-4-1) the lead with just two minutes on the clock when she took advantage of some hesitant defending and goalkeeping to finish in close.

"Two weeks ago, we would have been rattled after giving up a bad goal so early in the ballgame, but not now," said Taylor.

"Having Ari (now) in the back has really helped settle us down, and along with Meghan (McGrath) and Jackie (Tumberger), we now have the combination needed to be successful from here on out."

Taylor said he really likes the type of ball Kulinczenko can serve out of the back, or on this day, on dead-ball opportunities, as the senior would combine with McGrath on the game-winner with her corner kick.

With the former midfielder's ability to strike a well-aimed set-piece ball, having the length and height of McGrath, Hammarlund and striker Taylor Skala in and around the box ready to pounce gives the Lions another weapon.

And one which figures to be especially dangerous during the state tournament series.

Hammarlund finished at the back post with her header, after McGrath's lazy, high-flying free kick from the near touchline allowed her to elevate well above the Pats' backline at 22 minutes.

Ten minutes later, it was McGrath's turn, as she twisted her body just enough to redirect Kulinczeko's corner from the far flag into the back of the net.

"We'll make sure to have all the correct personnel in the back to prevent any of those types of goals when they really count," offered Stevenson head coach Mark Schartner.

The Patriots also have a big week ahead of them in their chase for a NSC Lake Division title and spot in the conference championship match late next week.

Scharnter's club, which has its fair share of injuries all throughout the season, looked to be out of sync after the break.

The longtime coach brought plenty of players off to insure fresh legs for the week while also keeping everyone healthy from here on out.

Saint Viator's pace, at the same time, likely had something to do with the Patriots' being out of sorts, with Skala, Hammarlund and Molly McMahon working hard all match long.

In addition, the Lions benefitted from Tumberger going forward to add numbers, or providing plenty of good balls out of the back to test the Patriots' last line of defense.

"Skala is such an athlete, and today she just ran hard at people, and helped create a lot of chances and dangerous situations for us in Stevenson's end," said Taylor.

"We're beginning to settle in, and playing with a lot more composure, especially along the back, where we need to be at our best.

"I am finally beginning to see what I had hoped for, but now, we've got to keep it up from here on out."

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