Late goal dooms Fillies vs. visiting Waubonsie Valley

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By Mike Garofola

For a while it appeared all there was to talk about were the blue skies, warm breeze, and delightful weather - which may have officially signaled the arrival of spring in Chicagoland.

And maybe that was part of the reason two terrific soccer sides struggled to find any pace in their first 40 minutes of play - or that it was just the end of a long week, were the cold, damp weather before Saturday, and a physically demanding match with a conference rival may have taken something out of host Barrington.

Whatever the reason, the second half revved up to speed to become an entertaining match, much like most would expect between the defending state champions from Waubonsie Valley and the Fillies.

In the end, the game was decided when Barrington coach Ryan Stengren's club conceded yet another set-piece goal to give the Warriors a 2-1 non-conference victory.

"I just don't know when we're going to learn to defend (those) type's of situations - because if we cannot figure it out soon we're going to give up a set-piece goal when it really counts, which could very well end our season much sooner than all of us would like," said a disappointed Stengren, who has watched dead-ball opportunities end up in the back of his net against Neuqua Valley, and as recently against a young side from Hoffman Estates to begin the week.

The fact that the game-winner was likely an own goal provided little solace to the Fillies head coach and his staff, as the ball that Waubonsie captain Megan Green sent in from the left side, although well-aimed, should have been cleared long before it reached the spot - then took an unfortunate wayward turn off a Barrington player and past a helpless Kelly Pedersen, the Fillies senior keeper.

"I thought both teams played a somewhat lackluster first half of soccer, but after the break, both (teams) really came out and did some very good things," offered Stengren.

The first-half provided little entertainment, but when it did, it centered mostly around the Warriors MF duo of Jenna Romano and the senior Green, who made up for the absence of the injured Hannah Klancic, one of the best Waubonsie has on its roster.

The Fillies (5-2-0) who themselves had a rough offseason-filled with injuries, have slowly welcomed the likes of Emmelie Hirdes, Catie Curran and Molly Pfeiiffer, among others, back into its rotation, but after a demanding 80 minutes against MSL West rival Palatine on Thursday, Stengren chose to hold out both Hirdes and Curran, while spotting his sophomore striker Pfeiffer here and there to help give his people up top some additional rest.

"I thought the Palatine match, which we were able to win in OT, really took a lot out of the girls," began Stengren.

"They (Palatine) played so hard, and just come at you for 80 minutes, and that could have been a big reason for our (so-so) first half today."

The 2011 version of a new backline for the Fillies, led by the lone starter from a year ago, Dana Kopp, did well all afternoon against a skilled opponent in Waubonsie, and with the help of freshmen Mia Calamari, Morgan Stachura and Samantha Frank, all first-year starters, the Fillies kept the chances to just a few at Pedersen.

"I know I was disappointed to see us give up those two goals off of set-piece plays today, but we played pretty well as a unit, and we just have to get back to working a little harder on defending when we get back to training this week," said Calamari, who continues to shine and play as if she were a 4-year veteran, with her crisp and accurate tackling, and ability to go forward to join the attack, while supplying a well-struck ball on corners for the Fillies.

Freshmen Gabby Mclaurin would actually record the first shot on frame for the home side at 48 minutes to force a save by keeper Jordan Myers, and moments later, Green strolled freely through the center channel to collect a loose ball and unleash her shot - wide of the post to signal an exciting final half hour of play. 

A harmless-looking foul committed 35 yards away from Pedersen gave the Warriors’ Green a chance to test the waters, and when her free-kick serve found an unmarked Romano inside the box - the talented sophomore redirected a header that had too much pace for Pedersen, who was able to get a glove on her shot - but that was all as it nestled into the back of the net at 50 minutes.

The Fillies recovery began almost immediately, when a Calamari corner led to an attempted Romano clear in close, and then it was an Aimee Pierce blast off of Romano’s clear which initiated another corner to help keep the pressure on the Warriors, as the home side continued to build confidence.

With the visitors clinging to its 1-goal lead, Emily Hyde raced ahead of a pair of defenders down the right side to get to a superb early ball out of the back from Kathryn Avedon - and once the Fillies senior collected, and touched towards the Warriors goal, she struck her angled shot into the far corner of the net to bring the Fillies even in the 61st minute.

"We did well to get back even, and I was feeling (at) that time if we ended 1-1, it would be a fair result, and one that we could be very happy with," offered Stengren.

Green would have a go at 70 minutes, in which Pedersen saved with ease, and three minutes later Green and Shannon Donelson created a little something in close on a nice 1-2 combination that Calamari read well, blocking a Donelson shot in the area.

But an ill-advised foul just outside the box and to the far left of Pedersen gave Green her chance to put the Warriors ahead in the 75th minute.

"We hadn't played Barrington ever before, but we all knew they were a very good team, and that we would have to play our best today in order to have a chance to win," began Green.

"This was a good win for us, especially after our effort against Neuqua Valley earlier in the week, and I hope this gets us going from here on out."

For Barrington, there will be little time for recovery, with Hersey up next on the road tomorrow, followed by an important MSL West match with Fremd on Wednesday.

Heading into the week, the Fillies remain tied with Conant at the top of the table, each with 9 points, and 6 points clear of Fremd, Schaumburg and Palatine.