Grenadiers fall to Stevenson on goal in last minute

By Dan Santaromita

Elk Grove has its focus on conference season but losing in the last minute of any match is always difficult to take.

Stevenson scored on the Grenadiers with less than a minute to play to pick up a 2-1 win in the Pepsi Showdown Saturday in Schaumburg.

Elk Grove coach Dan Klaus said he tinkered with his lineup in the first half to see what possibilities could work for the stretch run of conference play.

Grenadier sophomore Katie Naughton played in the midfield instead of her usual spot at the back and Elk Grove struggled to find a rhythm.

Stevenson (5-2) took a 1-0 lead after Elk Grove (4-5-3) couldn't clear a ball in the box.

"Going with the wind in the first half, we didn't generate enough," Klaus said. "Both their goals were from scrums in the box and we've got to clean that up.

"Other than that, though, we were down 1-0 and we come back and we respond and make it 1-1 so that's nice to see."

The Grens showed more quality in the second half and got a deserved equalizer less than 10 minutes after the break.

Junior Carin Fearing had her shot blocked, but Michelle Calmeyn was able to pick up the loose ball.

Calmeyn dribbled down the right side of the box, outran a defender, and scored from a tight angle with a high shot.

Elk Grove pushed for the go-ahead goal and came painfully close with about five minutes to play.

Calmeyn got the ball inside the box and made a good turn on her defender.

She had a clear view of goal from the left side and unleashed a shot that beat the keeper, but rattled off the inside of the post and bounced back into play.

"Calmeyn worked her tail off in the second half and did a great job," Klaus said.

After that, Stevenson stepped up its play and had a couple good attempts at goal.

Patriots' senior Jo Jo Kurth scored the game winner that was reminiscent of their first goal.

She got the loose ball in the box and left goalie Nicole Ricci (9 saves) with no chance.

Calmeyn and the Grens were dejected after the game, but she was quick to look forward.

"We played well, but they scored in the last minute," Calmeyn said. "We're improving every game and we're going to come out strong on Monday."

Klaus wasn't too disappointed in the loss, saying conference play is the obvious priority right now for Elk Grove, which went 1-2-1 in the tournament.

"Myself included, we feel like we had a decent effort against Barrington on Monday (a 3-1 loss) and then a nice effort against Buffalo Grove on Wednesday (a 3-0 win) and we're looking at Conant this coming Monday," he said.

"You never overlook a game or anything like that, but you know we've got our eyes on conference right now. This tournament is good preparation for our league games."

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