Redhawks blank Mustangs to reach Invite quarterfinals
By Steve Nemeth
It’s often said “what a difference a day makes.” And for some it can even be what a difference the time of day makes.
Both coaches could relate to those theories following Naperville Central’s 2-0 Saturday win over Downers Grove South in the decisive match for Group A play within the 16th Annual Naperville Invitational.
With weather having forced postponement of Thursday’s opening set of matches, Downers Grove South became one of the teams having to do double duty on Saturday.
The Mustangs began with a solid 2-0 triumph over the Palatine unit that Central edged 3-2 late Friday evening via a 6-5 penalty kick shootout.
“It’s frustrating to have played so well in the morning and then in the afternoon be so flat,” South coach Abby Anderson admitted. “We came out flat and real panicky, that’s just the best way to describe it.
“We never settled into our game. We prefer to be a lot more physical emphasizing possession to feet. We never got into either groove (vs. Central).”
Without any doubt the host Redhawks were the aggressors from the start as the defending tourney champions began racking up a variety of shots.
Thirteen minutes into the match, Veronica Ellis’ well-aimed cross found Autumn Muckenhirn six yards off the left post for a shot drilled into the right side of the goal.
“It was a great battle in the lead-up to that goal which was important, so when ‘V’ crossed the ball so well, all I had to was finish,” Muckenhirn said in regard to her fifth goal of the season.
“When the ball’s in the air you try to quickly look around to see who's where in terms of the keeper and defenders and then position yourself to finish. An early goal like that helps keep momentum going in your favor.”
It certainly did statistically as Central boasted a 12-3 edge in overall attempts and an 8-2 advantage for on-frame tries – for the first half.
South was unable to add to either total over the final 40 minutes enabling the Redhawks to finish 24-3 for overall tries and 17-2 for on-goal attempts.
“It’s been important for us to keep the score at zero for our opponent since goals are sometimes hard for us to come by this year. So to get two today was a good job,” Central coach Ed Watson said. “The first goal was very nice to get early enough to enable us to continue to build our attack and confidence.
“We were fortunate to the win last night,” Watson added, referring to the Palatine win. “With the way this season (has been interrupted by weather), we’re still using games as training opportunities in some instances, so hopefully we took another step in the right direction.”
The final step in completing the domination came with 2:13 left in regulation when Grace Orndorff simply blasted a 26-yard bomb that sailed neatly under the crossbar but over the outstretched hands of South goalie Jamie Furio.
“I saw a sliver of open space and as is the case in any match, you always want to make the other team stop you from taking attempts,” Orndorff explained. “That late in a match, a goal like that adds a nice bit of security.”
Helping drive the Redhawk attack was the hustle and distribution out of the middle by Orndorff and teammate Allison Kincaide.
“Those two center mids played very well throughout the match,” Watson noted. “We had a really well-struck ball by Veronica and a great finish by Autumn. Grace’s shot was the kind every soccer player loves to make. Our back four have really kept us in so many games along with (goalie) Abby (Hershik).”
It marked the eighth time the Redhawks’ opponent had a zero on the scoreboard with Hershik chalking up her seventh solo clean sheet while sharing another shutout with Nikki Connors.
“The coaches always tell me if we don’t get scored on we won’t lose, so that’s my approach,” Hershik said. “Unless it’s a very windy day where one of my punts can help lead to a goal, it’s difficult for me to contribute to the scoring, so I have to focus harder on my job.
“Obviously you make certain to get in yourself squarely in front of an oncoming shot or if it’s in the air, you judge where the ball is in the box, figure out where your teammates are as well as the attackers and decide if you can get to it for a catch or if necessary, a hard punch.”
Beside boosting their record to 9-2-3, the Redhawks – who have a Monday DuPage Valley Conference home date with Wheaton North -- advance to a Thursday 5 pm quarterfinal against New Trier, the school which boasts the most (four) Naperville Invite crowns having won three straight (2003-04-05) and again in 2010.
In addition to claiming consecutive titles, Naperville Central could potentially capture its fourth (previously 2012, 2006, 1999). During the past 25 campaigns, 21 of the IHSA state titles have been won by participants from Naperville Invitational.
Downers Grove South, which stands 8-5-1 prior to a Tuesday West Suburban Conference Gold home battle with Hinsdale South, will continue competition in the consolation portion of the Naperville Invite with a Thursday 7 pm match at Fremd.
The Mustangs will then conclude the event Saturday at Wheaton North against either the host Falcons or Lyons Township.
South obviously hopes to get back in the groove and have the kind of offensive showing enjoyed against Palatine. That’s when the Mustangs had a goal from Autumn Rasmussen along with what Anderson described as a “rocket” from Kelly Stapleton.
“That play really started from the back from us clearing one of their corners,” Stapleton recalled. “Nicole (Janowiak) got the ball ahead to Emily (Wauer) who gave me a really good pass. At first I thought it wasn’t going in because I wasn’t quite balanced, but I guess it had power like a massive spaceship.”
