New-look Hornets capture shutout win over Plainfield East

By Dave Owen

A new-look lineup had Hinsdale South back on track Saturday.

After three straight shutout losses briefly derailed the Hornets’ 3-1 start to the season, coach Pat Wolf switched defender Colleen McPherson and midfielder Jessica Mutters’ positions for Hinsdale South’s Pepsi Showdown game against Plainfield East.

The payoff was instant: the Hornets earned their third shutout of the season, and new midfielder McPherson scored her first goal of 2013 as they rolled to a 3-0 win on Saturday at Schaunburg's Olympic Park.

"We did a nice job against LT (Lyons Township on Thursday), but just didn’t get one in when we should have and lost 1-0,” Hinsdale South coach Pat Wolf said.

“Today was a day that we worked that (position change) in, and I think all the girls especially in the back were pretty solid. Colleen was playing in the middle and maybe didn’t think she knew what she was doing, but she did a good job out there. I think Colleen and Cassie (Jensen) did a nice job in the middle."

Senior McPherson overcame some initial nerves to help make things happen for the Hornets (4-4).

“I was scared because I’d never played midfield before,” said McPherson, a three-year varsity starter at defender. “There’s a lot more running definitely, and it’s more central so you have to be up on offense and back on defense.

“It was different, but it was fun," McPherson added. "And I think our defense did really well this game, so I like the change.”

The Hornets’ fortunes really began to change with a scoring outburst late in the first half.

In the 33rd minute of play, Jessica Koziol made a nice steal of a Plainfield East clearing attempt.

On freshman Morgan Bergstrom’s ensuing pass towards the top of the box, Maggie Nicosia beat the Plainfield East goalkeeper to the loose ball and lined a low shot into the open net for a 1-0 Hinsdale South lead.

Three minutes later, another steal (this time at midfield by Alissa Lokanc) set the table for a second Hornet goal.

Mutters’ strong 50-yard direct kick after a foul led to a Koziol and Lokanc drive to the net that produced a corner kick.

Koziol made a short pass to Mary Claire Ladd on the restart, then after taking a return pass, Koziol’s perfect cross to the far post was deflected home by Mutters to produce a 2-0 halftime lead.

“I thought we were pretty much in command,” Wolf said. “Everyone played well together. They were unselfish with the ball for the most part, and it’s nice to play on a team like that.”

Having the talents of Creighton-bound Mutters back in the lineup after a two-year absence has also been a very welcome change for the Hornets.

“She played club for two years,” Wolf said. “Her goal was to concentrate on club and get a scholarship, and she accomplished that.

“She’s a great leader, a competitor, and she’s smart. She can play numerous places.”

Mutters’ return to the lineup has also provided a big boost to her teammates’ confidence.

“I’m glad Mutters is back,” McPherson said. “She’s a great addition, and I love her at sweeper because she really takes control of the defense.”

Mutters joined Elisabetta Bifero, Ladd and Brenda Maugeri at defender spots on Saturday, providing additional support to the solid play of senior goalkeeper Vanessa Niestrom.

“It’s good that Nessy and the defense gets another shutout,” Wolf said. “Collectively everyone kind of rose the level of their game a little bit today, and it starts in the back.

“Nessy is a vocal leader, and now we have Jess Mutters situated in the back, a seasoned player who’s going to go play good college ball.”

Koziol is an excellent offensive catalyst, and nearly set up another goal 18 minutes into the second half when Jensen sent Koziol’s corner kick just wide of the right post.

Then three minutes later, Koziol made the initial pass upfield on the goal that put the game away.

Koziol found Kelly Flemm breaking in on the wing, whose cross to McPherson turned the longtime defender into a goal scorer in her midfield debut.

“That was fun,” McPherson said. “It was a good cross from Kelly Flemm.”

The Hornets hope the fun is just starting, as their revamped lineup prepares for big challenges ahead (Tuesday at Willowbrook, then key tests Friday at Hinsdale Central and April 23 at Downers Grove South).

“We need to keep up the positive energy, and be confident with the ball,” McPherson said. “With that I think we’ll do well, just like this game.”