H O N O N E G A H G I R L S S O C C E R
[NON-CONFERENCE]
Starting Lineup: Courtney Shelton (c), Taylor Scott, Sam Welcher, Natalie Johnson, Sabina Welcher, Katie Fluegal, Vicki Booth, Kate Young, Kelsey
Carroll (c), Danielle Mathieu, Taylor Giedd.
Non-starters: Becca Marion, Ana Hayes, Tiphanie Truax, Mackenzie Kelling, Maggie Blackburn, Kelsey Mathieu
Result: 3-0 final; 2-0 halftime
Team Record: 1-0-0, 0-0-0 (NIC-9)
on the road to start the season, and (c) it was a glimpse as to the potential of this team for the rest of 2007. Winnebago came in a more inexperienced
team as in the past, but a strong aggressive team prepared to go the full 80 minutes. Our girls took to attacking imediately and found the net on a clever little flick by freshmen Taylor Giedd after just 5 minutes. The opportunities continued to present themselves, but lack of a finishing touch kept the
game at 1-0 unitl junior Kate Young drilled a rebound off a corner kick at the 20 minute mark. The game then started to open up a bit, and the
opportunities were once again there, just no one to put them away. Halftime score: 2-0. At the half, the ladies were urged to being more conscious of
the space the opposition was providing on the wings, and encouraged to start actively using this space to create more opportunities. While this was it
fact the case during the second half, the efforts on goal were just not finding the back of the net in proportion with the chances created. Goalkeeper
Courtney Shelton had little work to do in the net as she was rarely tested, and the defense did well to deny any opportunities for the opposing attack for
most of the entire game. A great victory to kick off what hopes to be a very successful season. Nicely done, ladies!! Next up... NIC-9 opponent Rockford
Auburn. ~ Coach Eiss
[NIC-9 CONFERENCE]
Starting Lineup: Courtney Shelton (c), Taylor Scott, Sabina Welcher, Sam Welcher, Natalie Johnson, Ana Hayes, Danielle Mathieu, Vicki Booth,
Kelsey Carroll (c), Kate Young, Taylor Giedd
Non-starters: Becca Marion, Tiphanie Truax, Katie Fluegel, MacKenzie Kelling, Maggie Blackburn, Kelsey Mathieu
Result: 8-0 final; 5-0 halftime
Team Record: 2-0-0 overall; 1-0-0 (NIC-9)
the violent storms of 24 hours before did not threaten the game in any shape or form. The ladies were instructed on simply improving on their first
game display, and to protect their home field advantage. The game started with the typical battle for possession at the opening, but after 10 minutes
started to settle and the ladies starting putting their stamp on the game. After several near misses to open, freshmen Taylor Giedd struck first on a
rebound off a defense to put the team up 1-0 after 15 minutes. Once the girls sorted the oppositions offside-trap, the floodgates opened; goals from juniors Kate Young and Kelsey Carroll, senior Tiphanie Truax, and sophomore Vicki Booth closed out the half in full command. Haltime score: 5-0. The ladies were reminded of the new rules in the IHSA regarding beating an opponent by more than 7 goals -- the time remaining is instantly cut in half once 8 goals are reached -- and therefore 'highly encouraged' to simply keep possession and build their attack from out of the back. The ladies did a great job of moving the ball and finding some quality opportunities to finish. Goals by Kate Young and Tiphanie Truax as well as from junior goalkeeper-turned-forward Courtney Shelton closed out the evening. It was a much improved display from the ladies and a great way to open the 2007 home schedule! Nicely done girls!! Next up, Fox Valley Conference opponent Woodstock on Saturday. ~ Coach Eiss
[NON-CONFERENCE]
Starting Lineup: Courtney Shelton (c), Taylor Scott, Sabina Welcher, Sam Welcher, Natalie Johnson, Katie Fluegel, Danielle Mathieu, Vicki Booth,
Kelsey Carroll (c), Kate Young, Taylor Giedd
Non-starters: Becca Marion, Tiphanie Truax, Ana Hayes, MacKenzie Kelling, Maggie Blackburn, Kelsey Mathieu
Result: 4-0 final; 2-0 halftime
Team Record: 3-0-0 overall; 1-0-0 (NIC-9)
played in an "ice storm" of sorts, but uncharacteristic of late-March, the weather on this day was unseasonably warm... borderline "hot". The heat was a
definite factor as the game worn on, but the ladies did a nice job of gaining upper-hand early and dictating the pace of the game. It should be noted
that, in all fairness, Woodstock were without 8 of their Varsity team members, 4 of which were there captains, due to it being their Spring Break as well.
That being said, this did not take away from the fact that our girls were able to effectively move the ball around and put up a physical challenge to a
typically physical team. The first goal was off a long throw from sophomore Ana Hayes to the head of junior captain Kelsey Carroll about 30 minutes
into the match. The second would be just 5 minutes or so later off a nice left-footed strike from freshmen Taylor Giedd. The ladies held well in
defense, but were honestly not tested much in the first half. Halftime score: 2-0. After the break, Woodstock came out much more aggressively and
started to push for goal. Our ladies responded well by staying their ground and really moving the ball with more speed and accuracy. This display was
rewarded with two goals in the middle of the half from juniors Kate Young and Danielle Mathieu. A flurry of other opportunities went beckoning, but in
the end the result was a fair one. The physical nature of the second half was a welcome addition to the game, and hopes to serve as a taste of what is
to be expected in the match next Thursday... the NIC-9 showdown with perennial powers Boylan at Titan Stadium. Expect a very hard fought, competitive
match! A job well done Saturday ladies! Now on to the Titans!!! ~ Coach Eiss