Hornets end Pepsi Showdown play with win over Fenwick

CLICK HERE FOR HINSDALE SOUTH'S TEAM PAGE

By Dan Santaromita

There’s no great way to deal with multiple injuries on a team, but seeing a freshman crash net and score a game-winner is as good as any.

Senior Meagan McPherson hit a wicked low shot in the nasty, wet field conditions at Olympic Park that created a rebound opportunity that freshman Cassie Jensen cleaned up for the equalizing goal in the second half against Fenwick.

The Hornets kept the momentum and got a 2-1 win at the Pepsi Showdown Saturday afternoon thanks to senior Jamie Walker’s 30-yard effort.

“I think it was a good win,” Hinsdale South coach Pat Wolf said. “We battled back. They got a quick one right there in the corner that snuck in under the post. It kind of skipped in. I think the one that we got kind of did the same thing, kind of skipped in. The conditions affected both teams.”

Fenwick had the early run of play to take the lead in the first 15 minutes. Hornets’ goalkeeper Vanessa Niestrom (8 saves) had trouble with a bouncing shot that beat her near post, but finished the game with solid play in net.

“I think she knew that maybe she should have had that because it snuck in on the post, but she rebounded and didn’t hold back,” Wolf said. “She keeps communicating. I think as a sophomore she’s doing a good job of taking command of the back.”

The Hornets finished the half with better possession play and got on the attack more often. That carried over into the second half with Jensen’s goal.

Jensen had been brought up to varsity because the team is really banged up and she took advantage of the opportunity. Walker said it was awesome to have Jensen score under the circumstances.

“When I was a freshman playing on varsity I know it’s rough because all of the older girls are kind of intimidating so I think it was great that Cassie was able to come in and get a goal for us,” Walker said. “I’d like to play with her more often. She’s a good player.”

Maggie Nicosia is another freshman making an impact. Recently moved to central midfield, she is a physical player that racked up a few fouls early on. Wolf said that is part of what makes her suited for her new role.

“She was playing outside mid maybe the first five games,” Wolf said. “Both me and coach (Jen) Belmonte had the same kind of conversation with her. Some kids are out and I just thought, ‘Hey let’s try her in the middle.’ She’s done that for the last three games. She has really warmed to it because she’s up and back, up and back and she’s physical.”

Nicosia shrugged off issues of playing as a freshman like she shrugs off oncoming tacklers.

“It’s kind of easy fitting in with them,” Nicosia said. “There was never really any drastic change.”

Walker’s go-ahead strike was a longer version of Fenwick’s goal. She hit a hard shot that pinged in off the base of the post, leaving the keeper with no chance.

With a trifecta of bad weather (cold, wet and wind), balls were tough to control on the artificial surface. Walker said the well-placed shot wasn’t intended to be low.

“Actually I was trying to get an air shot, but I ended up kind of slipping on the ball,” the senior forward said. “It worked out for the benefit. It was just kind of a lucky shot down in the corner. It was slippery out so the goalie had a tough time getting it.”

Fenwick pushed for the equalizer in the final 15 minutes, earning multiple corners and a lot of possession. However, the Hornets’ back line held strong, allowing few quality looks at goal.

Senior Staci Ruzicka was key in relieving some of the pressure down the stretch. “I think at the back Staci does a nice job,” Wolf said. “She’s got a good touch and is a confident player.

“I think with the weather and a good opponent, it was a good result for sure.”

Hinsdale South (5-4) returns to West Suburban Gold play with a home match against Leyden on Tuesday.