Warriors can't connect in SWSC Red loss to rival Knights

 

 

By Curt Herron

Jeff Theiss liked many of the aspects of his team's performance against rival Lincoln-Way Central on Monday.

Lincoln-Way West played with intensity and created many great opportunities, especially in the late going.

But the Warriors coach also realizes all too well that the team with better chances doesn't always prevail.

Such was the case on a rainy and cold evening when the two Lincoln-Ways in New Lenox met up on the westside.

Central made the most of its chances and kept West at bay as it captured a 2-0 SouthWest Suburban Red win.

The West coach was proud of his side's effort, but gave his former boss, Dan Radz, and his team their due.

"We told the girls that it was probably the best 80 minutes that we've put together the entire season, but we just didn't finish and the ball didn't bounce our way," Theiss said. "It was just one of those days, but give credit to Central. Even though we're both a little banged up now, I think this is going to make both of us better.

"If the girls continue to bring this energy and kids like Natalie Tannura and Jenna Serrano play like they did today, we're going to be that much better. I thought that we were flying today and it starts with Kendall Watson in the middle of the field. We always know that she's going to win balls in the air but today we distributing well.

"That allowed our forwards to receive the ball inside of the 30 and they were able to attack and cycle. Some times we dump the ball over the top a hope that Cori Brennan goes, but today we were a little more connected. We were doing everything right but just seeing the ball go wide and over or being deflected by Central's defenders."

A lot of that was going on down the stretch as the Warriors (9-4-2, 0-1) had one corner kick after another.

But Central (5-4-1, 1-0) managed to keep West from putting one in the net as it recorded its third shutout.

As is the case with many teams this season, having people out for various reasons affects what you can do.

The Warriors had to once again shake things up in order to account for who wasn't on the field on Monday.

"Natalie has played forward for us all season and has seven goals but she had to play outside back today," Theiss said. "We'll get Lea Gindville back on Tuesday and it looks like Meaghann Lange will be back for Thursday and Emily Wyskiel is looking good, too.

"Once we get healthy, I think that we'll be that much more dangerous and getting these other kids quality experience will only benefit us down the road. I know that everyone is banged up because of the way that the weather is but we're going to take a positive from it."

The Knights received a pair of goals from Sara Petrone, with each score coming in late in the two halves.

Her first score came in the 33rd minute when she got past defenders and then connected from close range.

The other goal was in the 75th minute, which broke up a series of good scoring chances by the Warriors.

Central's shutout was a combined effort between Anita Fournier, usually is a striker, and Jasmine Vega.

"After they really didn't get many cracks on net in the first half, we threw Anita back up top, and that's when things started to jell for us," Radz said. "It was kind of the tale of two halves with them getting six or seven corner kicks against us in the last 25 minutes. They did a very good job in the second half of not letting us turn in the midfield.

"We haven't done well on corner kicks so to defend six or seven late at their place is big. Brooke Bingham, Katie Bartuch, Brooke Mejdrich in the middle of the field, Ally Pascarella and then Kaitlyn Millsaps off the bench. Those kids all played solid for us on defense. I'm proud of the kids to get a road win against a scrappy West team that is well-coached."

As the rain increased and the winds picked up from the north, the hosts threatened more after the break.

Cori Brennan was denied on two early chances before Brittany Walleck had a try cleared near the midpoint.

With about a quarter hour left, Brennan was fouled outside of the box but her free kick was a bit high.

A bit later, a corner from Jenna Serrano went to Kara Winans, who had an attempt deflected by a defender.

Brennan and Winans created corners during the next few minutes but no good chances developed from them.

After Petrone made it a 2-0 match, Brennan sailed a liner over the net and Winans was later thwarted.

The Warriors close out the week with their next SWSC Red match when they travel to Andrew on Thursday.