Gobbo's hat trick fuels Hawk victory over Panthers

By Steve Nemeth

It's so early in the season that coaches can genuinely find cause for optimism regardless of the scoreboard's outcome.

That was certainly the case Thursday as Nicole Gobbo's hat trick lifted Bartlett to a 3-2 nonconference road victory over Oswego.

Since it was not only the home but season opener for the Panthers, coach Jamie Bartowiak was happy to see her team score first and then also mount a furious comeback bid as OHS dealt with the usual first-game jitters and timing issues.

Having gotten those out the day before in a 1-0 loss at Schaumburg, BHS boss Heather Thomas had a quick list for smiling that encompassed Gobbo's hatter, Lyndsay Bruzzini's stellar assists, Natalie Grodzki's net-minding, and the play of "the whole back line" in evening their record at 1-1.

Although Bartlett had the best initial opportunities including a long blast that was smartly tipped away by Oswego keeper Laura Gallardo, there was no score until 17:01 had elapsed when Cindi Chavez's pass set up Cathy Tram for a 12-yard strike from the left side for a 1-0 hometown lead.

The score involved several nice touches for OHS in advancing the ball into position for the strike.

But then it was Thomas' turn to be delighted. While Bartlett initially parked back-to-back opportunities near the OHS net either high or wide, a third attack was thwarted by saves from Gallardo and an Oswego defender.

The momentum shift paid dividends shortly after that when a high bounce luckily put Gobbo in position to whistle a shoot to Gallardo's left but inside the right post for the equalizer with 8:05 left before intermission.

"We came out slow against Schaumburg and a little slow to start today as well. For whatever reason, it took going down 1-0 to light a fire under us," Thomas admitted.

"But unlike the Schaumburg match, we created better opportunities and finished them."

Indeed the Hawks did have several offensive forays to start the second half and with 22:30 remaining in regulation, Bruzzini's deft touch on a through ball preceded a Gobbo 15-yard blast from right of center for a 2-1 advantage.

"I wasn't expecting a hat trick in the second match of the year but I'll take it. The first goal was actually a lot of luck," Gobbo admitted. "Not sure why, but once we get down we have to play with more intensity and that seems to lead to opportunities.

"However I was getting a little frustrated because I was getting a lot of shots but not goals. I saw an opening for the second one and got a strong kick on it, the last one I was determined to get it around her because she'd been coming out too far."

That third strike --- the second hat trick in Gobbo's prep career --- came with just 6:08 remaining as Bruzzini again delivered the set-up for a left side blast that made it 3-1.

"After that close loss in the last game, it's really nice to win and even better to contribute," Bruzzini added. "If I can't score then I want to get assists and with Nicole (Gobbo) that's not hard. I know if I deliver a good pass she'll make the run and finish strong."

Actually it was Oswego finishing strong over the remaining six minutes as the Panthers had Grodzki racing all over in front of the BHS cage.

When the Panthers' Hunter Coppes showed her grit in keeping a ball from going over the sideline, her textbook cross rocketed to the far right post where Trisha Carr knocked it home for a 3-2 ballgame.

With Grodzki getting yellow-carded for delay of game, it was evident Bartlett was trying to run out the clock and did so before OHS could produce an equalizer.

"I'm really proud of our effort and thought we played pretty well for the first time out," Bartkowiak said. "We had some troubles holding our formation early, but once we got into the right formation late, it paid off.

"While our whole back line was solid, this match gives us a good idea of exactly what we have to work on and refine to get the outcome in our favor."

Another challenge for Oswego with road visits to Naperville Central on Monday and St. Charles East on Tuesday.

"The only way you sharpen iron is against iron. We want to get better and you only do that playing the best, Bartkowiak added.

As to the best understanding of how much the Panthers have progressed, Gallardo has a full view of the field and likes what she saw Thursday.

Our play for most of the first half was excellent and our forwards up top turned in a strong game which makes it easier for me," Gallardo said.

"Yeah there were times it showed we had to get some kinks out, but I got a lot of support from the midfielders and from the communication with my defenders. That's why I really like what I saw ahead of me on the field."