Scouts use Perino goal to defeat Niles North for first victory

 

 

By Eric Van Dril

A few days before Tuesday afternoon's game against Niles North, Lake Forest coach Ty Stuckslager was joking with Gabby Perino.

Stuckslager joked that, “You're going to be our leading scorer this year," hoping to probe deeper into the senior's competitive spirit.

Perino brushed it aside as unlikely – she considers soccer her “fun sport,” plays on the wing and doesn't play club soccer like many of her teammates – but through two games, Perino has registered the Scouts' lone goal.

That goal game in Lake Forest's 1-0 home victory over Niles North on Tuesday. Perino, pinching in from her position at left midfield, collected a rebound from a long shot by junior Sydney Johnston.

The senior's first touch was with her left foot; she then transferred the ball to her right foot and coolly beat Niles North goalkeeper Nina Yonan to the far post.

Johnston “shot it, and I was anticipating a rebound and luckily enough it came to me,” Perino said. “I got lucky. I couldn't have done it without her shot.”

The goal proved to be especially important because Niles North began the game by playing an ultra-conservative style. The Vikings dropped four defenders and three midfielders back in the attempt to absorb Lake Forest's attack, but couldn't prevent Perino's goal.

“It's something we talked about before the game; just making sure that the wings are pinching in so they are there for rebounds,” Stuckslager said. “It was a great shot low, and (Yonan) made a good save on it... I thought the best thing Gabby did was she had composure.”

Seeing Perino score the team's first goal of the season was something that brought a smile to Stuckslager's face.

“She's such a great personality and a competitor. She just enjoys competing,” Stuckslager said. “It's great to have her. She loves the girls and she brings a joy to the game. She's not a club player, but she just has enthusiasm and an infectiously positive attitude.”

Lake Forest's defense locked in after Perino scored. The Scouts (1-0-1) relied on a confident, physical backline featuring Kendall Hoke, Bailey Ehrens, Mackenzie Mick, Johnston and Hannah Flagstad to disassemble the Vikings' offensive attacks throughout the game.

The Scout defense helped limit Niles North to only three shots – all of which were from 35 yards or more, and were easily saved by junior Ginny Revenaugh – during the game's 80 minutes.

“I think when (Perino) scored, it was more of a mental gain,” said Lucy Edwards, a junior midfielder who was also vital in Lake Forest's defensive dominance.

“We could relax a little, and we knew that we're up one. We were more relaxed and more calm, off and on the ball, so our touches were better. We just got more confidence.”

During the first half, Edwards primarily played center defensive mid and often battled against Niles North sophomore Alyssa Brand.

Brand established herself as Niles North's best player a year ago and was an all-Central Suburban League selection, but she enjoyed very little space throughout the game.

Edwards helped the Scouts thwart Niles North's attacks, in part because she was so familiar with Brand due to their time at FC United.

“I play club with her, so I wasn't that worried,” Edwards said. “I just think more about (Brand), and watch the ball more to see what she does.”

Although Perino provided Lake Forest's lone goal on Tuesday, the Scouts generated two quality chances that narrowly missed going into the goal.

The first of those opportunities came on a perfect corner kick struck by freshman Paige Bourne. Bourne found Carly Hoke in the six-yard box, but the sophomore couldn't head the ball down and it sailed over the crossbar.

Two minutes and 52 seconds later, Hoke fought off a defender near the top of the box and struck a rolling shot from about 15 yards away.

The strike looked like it might bounce off the far post and roll into the back of the net, but it skidded just wide.

A theme throughout Lake Forest's first victory of the season was how several members of the team's immensely-talented freshman class played well.

Bourne was exceptional at center midfield, creating chances both in the run of play and when she took free kicks.

Adrian Walker played at right midfield and right back. She played a fast, physical style and struck a pair of dangerous crosses into the box, but Lake Forest couldn't convert either one.

Sheridan Bufe played well as a defensive midfielder when she spelled Edwards, and Allie Banta displayed a high work rate at the top of Lake Forest's attack.

“We always kind of knew that they were good with their skill, but I'm surprised with how confidently they've stepped up,” Perino said. “Usually when you're a freshman, you're scared to be on varsity. But they've just rolled right in.”

Tuesday's game marked the first time since a 0-0 tie against Evanston on March 11 that the Scouts have been able to play a game.

Although the weather has been a source of frustration for most teams in Chicagoland, it provided Lake Forest with an opportunity to take a break from soccer. Edwards and Perino both said they enjoyed that break.

“I think it's helped us get away from soccer,” Perino said. “I think sometimes we play so much that it's just too much. I think, with the break and with spring break, we've kind of had a lot of time to work on things off the field; bonding off the field. I think that's what's most important.

“It's not always about all the little skills, it's sometimes just about how well you work together.”