Hawks defeat rival South Elgin to cap senior night

By Dan Santaromita

Bartlett senior Christina Collazo didn't get the start for her team on Tuesday, but she certainly made an impact on the game.

Collazo had a goal and a beautiful assist on a cross to help the Hawks defeat South Elgin 3-2 on senior night in an Upstate Eight Conference match at Streamwood's Millennium Field.

"Overall, I think we played really well," Bartlett coach Heather Thomas said. "I think that we had a few mental breakdowns, particularly that last goal.

"It was a big night for these girls. I think they came out ready to play and energized."

On March 27, the Hawks beat South Elgin 2-0 as part of the South Elgin Invite.

"There is a little bit of a friendly rivalry between us and South Elgin," Thomas said. "I think that helps a bit."

The Hawks (12-6, 5-3) dominated the early part of the game, but were unable to get a finish.

South Elgin took the lead in the 38th minute when Taylor Schulze broke through the Bartlett defense.

Hawks goalie Natalia Grodzki (6 saves) came off her line to stop Schulze's first effort but the loose ball came back to Schulze for an easy rebound goal.

The Storm's lead didn't even last until halftime, though.

Bartlett sophomore Nicole Gobbo, playing with a cast because she broke her arm last Thursday against Streamwood, equalized in the final minute of the first half.

"I was pleasantly surprised because a lot of times we get scored on and we panic and forget what we're doing," said Thomas,

On the goal, Gobbo was open on the left side of the box and volleyed home a lob pass from about 15 yards out. The shot was a laser and found the far corner of the goal.

Gobbo came off the bench and played limited minutes for the Hawks.

"I wanted to get her in more, but it's not worth the pain she is going to be feeling later tonight or in the morning," Thomas said. "She did well when she was in there and she always does."

In the second half, the Storm were able to create a few more chances but Bartlett eventually got its attack rolling.

"I think we played better as the game went on," Collazo said.

Senior Sam Barone was key in keeping possession and jump-starting the offense.

In the 66th minute, Collazo sent in a pearl of a cross from the right towards freshman Nicki Noreen, who was open at the back post and headed home to complete a great goal.

Six minutes later, Collazo was at it again.

She received a pass in the box and was able to run onto the ball and slot it just inside the post on her first touch to put the Hawks up by two scores.

"(Collazo) did an excellent job up top," Thomas said. "She is so good at running through the ball and running through the play."

Collazo made it sound so simple when asked about her performance on the night.

"I just crossed it (on the assist) and ran through the play (on the goal)," Collazo said.

The Storm brought one back with 92 seconds left on a corner headed in by Jessica DeSimon but were unable to get the equalizer.

Sophomore Lisa Palmer was strong in defense to make Grodzki's job mostly easy. Grodzki made a couple tough saves to help Bartlett pick up a well-deserved win.

The Hawks returns to action today at 6:30 p.m. when they host West Chicago in a match in the Bartlett Invite at Millennium Field.

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