Tigers defeat Bengals in home and SPC opener

By Eddie Burns

All Plainfield North coach Jane Crowe wanted during her squad's home opener was for it to not have a letdown after playing extremely competitive matches against both Downers Grove North and Downers Grove South.

The Tigers easily defeated Plainfield East by a 5-0 decision on Thursday afternoon in Southwest Prairie Conference action.

But Crowe had higher expectations for her squad that was facing a Bengals team that is competing at the varsity level for the first time this season. Plainfield East's roster featured all underclassmen and the Bengals only dressed 13 players.

"We came out really slow and never really picked things up," Crowe said.

"I was hoping having played those games against both Downers Grove schools earlier this week and last Saturday that we'd come out with the same intensity and we just didn't, but we got away with it because they are a very young team."

Katie Cox's goal in the 3rd minute was created by a cross played from teammate Ashley Handwork and gave the Tigers a quick 1-0 lead.

It was about this time when Crowe noticed that her team became a bit complacent and North (4-2, 1-0) didn't mount much of an attack.

But the Bengals (0-6, 0-2) did coax the referee into whistling for a penalty kick when Lexi Lawdenski was tackled inside the Tigers' penalty area.

Allison Gahafer took the attempt for the Bengals, but it sailed over the net.

"I think that sequence showed my team that we can't take anyone lightly," Crowe said. "They almost tied the game. They were a missed penalty kick from pulling back even and I think that will make us realize that we have to come out harder no matter who we are playing."

The second goal that Cox scored was a byproduct of the wind.

"That second goal was supposed to be a cross to Callie (O'Donnell), but it ended up going into the net," said Cox, who now has four goals this season.

Cox’s first half goals provided the Tigers with a 2-0 lead at halftime.

"Katie's two goals were big because nobody else was finishing out there in the first half," Crowe said. "We need her to score because she is one of our big offensive threats."

O’Donnell tacked on a pair of goals in the second half and sophomore Madison Hansen also tallied a goal for the Tigers.

"Everyone played and it was great to see Madison come in off the bench and score a goal," Crowe said.

"It was also nice to see freshman Carlie Corrigan receive some playing time and get in there and get settled in."

The Tigers had a strong wind at their back in the second half, which led to several scoring opportunities – but as they did in Monday's match at Downers Grove North, the Tigers left several potential goals on the pitch.

"I think we played a bit too fast or rushed at times," O'Donnell said. "We took shots from distance trying to use the wind instead of making passes and positioning ourselves for easier opportunities."

Crowe agreed that the Tigers have to become better at finishing around the net.

"We've gotten away with it, but we need to get that out of our system," Crowe said. "Hopefully when we need it down the road, we will finish near the goal.

"We had a ton of chances in the second half and didn't finish. I hope that does not carry over and continue as we move through the season."