Freshman Vezzani sparks Hornets in 2-0 win over Leyden

By Matt Le Cren

Julie Vezzani didn't waste any time making an impact after being called up to Hinsdale South's varsity team last week.

In just her third game, the freshman midfielder had a goal and an assist Tuesday night as the Hornets snapped a two-game losing streak by beating host Leyden 2-0 in West Suburban Conference Gold Division action in Northlake.

After a scoreless first half, Hinsdale South took control thanks in part to the hustle of Vezzani.

The freshman raced up the right sideline and crossed from deep in the corner to junior Jaime Walker, who beat Leyden goalie Hilda Diaz with a header from five yards out to put the visitors ahead 1-0 with 33:31 remaining.

"I just dribbled it up as well as I could and then crossed it to see who was there," Vezzani said. "It felt really good to do that."

But Vezzani wasn't finished. She scored her first career goal with 18:09 remaining after stealing a ball in the Eagles' penalty box and firing from 15 yards out.

"It bounced off one of their players and I got lucky," Vezzani claimed. "It was supposed to be a cross but it went in. But it was great."

Vezzani's play was important because the Hornets (3-6, 1-1) had just three players on the bench since three players missed the game due to a band concert.

In addition, regular starters Meagan McPherson and Carolanne Pilch are injured and Emily Ordzowialy is sick.

That made playing against Leyden (6-2, 0-2), which is off to its best start ever and dressed 28 players, a little tougher than usual.

"It was a little tough for us," Walker said. "We started to get winded in the middle of the game and at the end, but I think we were able to pull through.

"We all kind of stepped up our game a little bit and helped each other out."

Walker, who has carried much of the load up top, welcomes the addition of Vezzani, who can play in the midfield or at forward.

"She did really great," Walker said. "I was really proud of her. She stepped up her game and I think maybe this is going to help us for the next few games.

"This is one of the first games that me and Julie have actually played together at forward the whole game. I think it's only going to get better because now we're going to get used to playing together."

Vezzani and junior Brittney Noble were key to Hinsdale South coach Pat Wolf's plan to spur the Hornets to get the ball out wide more often in order to spread the defense.

The Hornet coach was pleased with what he saw in Monday's practice.

"Julie was making the runs and I want her to make the run," Wolf said. "But we still need to communicate more.

"We have some talented individuals. We just haven't necessarily put it together team-wise at times."

Vezzani, who started the season on the sophomore team, figures to stick with the varsity if she continues to improve.

"I don't know if she was disappointed [at not making varsity initially], but I had other freshmen and I told her I'm not going to bring you up to sit," Wolf said.

"You need to trust me that at some point it's going to happen. I know through attrition that some girls get hurt. You just have to bide your time.

"She works hard. You can see it out there. She's willing to run and run and I like that. I've known her for a long time. She plays hard, but like all of us we still have a lot to learn."

Though the Eagles had a slight edge in overall play in the first half, the Hornets held firm defensively.

Lucero Aguilar just missed high on a 20-yard shot in the eighth minute and two other Leyden chances in the box were snuffed out.

A pass from Ashly Torres to Vivien Ponce created the first chance but freshman Jessy Mutters stole the ball with 28:40 left.

Then two minutes before halftime, Torres made a steal in the right side of South's box but her shot to the near post was stopped by freshman goalie Vanessa Niestrom.

Niestrom recorded her second shutout by making four saves, including a stop on Aguilar's dangerous 25-yard free kick at the 23:20 mark of the second half.

"It was nice to get a victory," Wolf said. "We needed that. We need to get a little more confidence."

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