Cougars stay unbeaten in Park Ridge

By Jonathan Jones
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In a non-conference melee, the Maine South Hawks hosted the Conant Cougars. The Cougars are enjoying their spring break this week.

As it wasn’t one of the most attractive victories, Conant managed to remain undefeated as they registered a 3-1 victory over the Hawks.

Even though the vernal equinox arrived Sunday, the late-afternoon game Thursday sustained a cold air and frigid turf.

Although the cold weather was somewhat a factor, Conant (3-0) wasted no time notching their first goal at 34:35 in the first half.

 After a 40-yard punt from senior keeper Lindsay Fillingim, senior forward Kaitlin Chiero caromed the long punt to set up junior forward Courtney Raetzman for the score.

“It was all about the communication on the first (goal),” Raetzman said. “Without our communication the (score) wouldn’t have happened. Kaitlin (Chiero) and I were working very close together on the ball that play.”

Raetzman continued by commending the strong mesh of the team. Conant has returned many of their starters from the 2010 season.

“We have great chemistry,” Raetzman said. “With the returning starters it helps us know more how each of us play (individually). We’re not starting from scratch to begin with the season. We have a few key additions and we’ve definitely all become closer.”

After the Cougars lost Brenna Fitzpatrick to graduation, the Cougars picked up defenders junior Kim Trinco, sophomore Courtney O’Keefe and freshmen midfielders Bianca Madonia and Drew Wentzel. Wentzel and Trinco are now starters.

However, the Hawks retaliated. While the Cougars attempted to pass back to Fillingim for a punt, Hawks junior forward Allison Cottrell snuck in for a steal. Cottrell tapped the ball in for a goal to tie the game at 26:16 in the first half.

Although the Cougars doubled the Hawks’ shot attempts in the first half (10-5), the halftime score stood at 1-1.

“Maine South is always a tough team,” said Conant head coach Jason Franco. “They will push you and test you. This game will help us for conference play next week. Maine South came straight from class, while my girls probably slept in all day.”

“We were a little flat today, but we pretty much gained control in the second half.”

The second half featured Conant’s Chiero as she broke down the Hawks defense. She had the first four shots on goal in the second half netting two of them.

Following Maine South’s offside call, Raetzman prepared for a free kick at midfield. Raetzman’s kick was perfect as she aimed towards junior midfielder Sammie Van De Linde. Van De Linde centered the feed and gave an opening for Chiero as she broke the tie at the 28:05 mark in the second half.

“(Franco) told us to pick it up at half,” Chiero said. “We needed to connect towards the top. We were lacking at midfield in the first half, so we made some switches in the lineup. We calmed ourselves in the second half and we all worked together to pull this one out.”

Chiero connected on her second goal at 17:50 mark in the second half. As she bobbed and weaved through the defense, Chiero registered the goal on a strong effort to pull away from Maine South for good.

Maine South (2-2) displayed many difficulties in the second half attempting to retrieve a clean shot on goal. After both teams struggled in the opening minutes in the second half, Conant eventually found themselves out-shooting Maine South 9-1. Conant shot 19 over Maine South’s six overall.

Maine South battled hard till the horn resounded, but with six second-half offside calls and one shot on goal, the Hawks just couldn’t create pressure. Maine South failed to tally a second half shot on goal until the 19:52 minute mark.

When the score was 2-1 and 26 minutes remaining, Maine South senior forward Carli Pappas created a breakaway. However, Conant Trinco denied Pappas’ effort preventing a possible Maine South goal and swing of momentum.

Conant goalie Fillingim saved two, while Maine South senior keeper Katie Paddock stopped 11.

Conant begins conference play next Wednesday at home where they meet Hoffman.

“We have a couple things to work on,” Chiero said. “It’s been awesome already with the good chemistry. It’s served us with a lot of adrenaline so far. We have a tough two weeks coming up. We have (Hoffman), Fremd and Hersey. We’re excited to see how we match up against all of them.”