Two halves, two viewpoints to Blackhawks-Panthers draw

 

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By Steve Nemeth

Each team could consider one half to have been a positive after Monday's 1-1 deadlock between Oswego and host West Aurora. But only one side was enthusiastic afterwards.

Dodging an addition to the loss column, especially with a come-from-behind effort, gave the visiting Panthers a shot of adrenalin and optimism toward improving on a 1-6-3 record in a frustrating campaign.

Aside from the draws, there are four one-goal losses which Oswego could just as easily been a victory or another draw.

At the same time, not being able to maintain a lead left host West Aurora with an "it could have been better" assessment that could also be applied to the 5-4-2 season record.

"To finish a game having played so positively makes you optimistic, plus it's so good to come off the field not feeling frustrated," explained OHS senior Cathy Tram after her goal became the equalizer.

"This was some of the best soccer we've played all season," Panthers coach Jamie Bartkowiak insisted. "I'm so proud of how the girls played tonight and what it means for the rest of the season."

As expected with the wind at its back during the first half, Oswego compiled better offensive numbers and yet, was trailing 1-0.

That was because the host Blackhawks made an adjustment that produced a counterattack with Sammie O'Brien's excellent service leading to Jessica Saffell outracing an opponent to a midfield ball and producing a 1-v-1 with the OHS keeper.

Saffell went just inside the far right post for a 1-0 lead and her team-high seventh goal of the year.

"I knew Jessica was making a run and with her speed I just needed to put the ball into space where she could make the most of it," O'Brien said in regard to now leading the squad with four assists.

Surprisingly, the wind didn't help West Aurora in the second half much the same way the Blackhawks continually failed to capitalize on the quality and consistency of O'Brien's somersault flip throw-ins.

Oswego, on the other hand, stepped up its passing game and continually tested Felicia Dattolo in compiling a 26-11 advantage for overall attempts and an 11-5 edge in shots-on-goal.

Lisa Bajkowski's well-placed through ball found Tram near the right post and the OHS senior executed a twisting side-volley from eight yards out that went through Dattolo's grasp and on into the net.

"I guess I've got an instinct for where our forwards will be and Cathy was right there. I'm happy to pass the ball and help others score. When we don't rush things, we get much better looks," Bajkowski explained before jokingly adding, "I guess maybe we're finally figuring out that the goal doesn't move."

"It was a great feed and I just tried to keep it low and on target," Tram added. "We did a much better job of linking passes together and that's what we've got to continue doing."

"We got really unlucky in a few situations," Bartkowiak insisted. "But otherwise we played extremely well and I'm very excited to see what we do from here."

On the opposite side, West Aurora coach Laura Wagley would like to see her squad break out of a one good half, one bad half rut.

"Unfortunately this is a re-occurring story. We just can't seem to play a full 80 minutes," Wagley said. "We reacted to the opportunities we had in the first half and got the goal by finishing strong.

"Not sure if I gave them too much to think about at halftime but in the second half our first touches were neither confident nor good."

"This definitely feels like one that got away from us," senior defender Jenna Egan admitted. "As well as we played in the first half, we then had defensive breakdowns and (Oswego) took advantage."

Last season, Saffell accounted for 79 percent of the Blackhawks' goals and 57 percent of its point production during a 4-19-2 campaign. This year already has four West Aurora players in double digits for points which would indicate a more balanced offense.

"Last year we lost to them, so a tie is a step in the right direction, but our offense is far better and more balanced which should be a definite positive," Saffell argued. "That's why the tie is disappointing to us."