Scoring woes continue for Knights
Strong effort not enough at Hoffman Estates
By Mike Garofola
HOFFMAN ESTATES -- Jennie Nailor dashed the hopes of Prospect with a late freekick strike to give host Hoffman Estates (2-4-1, 2-2-0) a hard-fought 1-0 victory Wednesday evening in a MSL crossover contest.
Nailor's on target 40-yard attempt somehow found its way over the Lady Knights wall and past keeper Paige Thiel to keep Tom Froats' side from earning its first point of the season, while remaining scoreless in the MSL thus far.
"That was a tough one to lose," admitted the Knights manager, who was obviously disappointed after watching his club give an all-out 80-minute effort, yet still fall short.
"We clearly played some of our best attacking soccer of the season - with great movement, good runs and passing, and several quality chances (which) as we have been doing a lot of so far - failing to finish."
Froats' sophomore keeper Thiel earned MVP of the Match honors with a handful of goal-saving stops - two of which were replay worthy. She helped to keep an attack-minded Hawks side from giving its faithful more to cheer about on this blustery night.
"I thought both keepers were very good out there tonight. Frankie (Francesca Van) saved us big time on a couple of their chances, and Tom's (keeper) made two great saves, one unbelievable one to keep them in the game," offered Hoffman manager, Ralph Tooren, who has been training club keepers for years around the area.
"It was a fun game to watch for the spectators. A little stressful at times for the coaches, but it was well played, and officiated, and I am thrilled for the girls who finally get themselves to 2-2-0 for the first time in my time here at this juncture of the season."
There was little to choose between these two MSL sides, with each having its moments throughout. Prospect (0-6-0, 0-4-0) was strong during the early exchanges and clearly the better of the two clubs. The Knights showed plenty of ambition and a willingness to commit players forward in its attack.
"I really feel like this was the best our attack has looked all season long," offered captain Maggie Sullivan, who was recently moved to the backline by Froats.
"We did so many things well, except finish, and that's been the toughest thing for us to do thus far."
Prospect succeeded in creating the better of it during the first quarter hour as it continually played through junior Andi Marfilius, who would push the issue with some enterprising carries through the middle of the park before targeting the duo of Martina Kowalczuk and Ally Kobler up top.
That pair was also given a handful of quality balls off the left boot of Grace Johannesen, who ventured forward from out of the back to give Froats' attack extra numbers.
"I like the way we got everyone involved, especially in the first half," Sullivan said. "It shows we're starting to come around to what we've been working on during training."
Ale Alonso, who was a key figure in the Hoffman Estates attack all night, provided the home side with its best chance of the first period when she flashed a lovely ball onto the foot of junior Michelle Montes de Oca, who struck the ball wide of Thiel, who had her back post covered just in case.
Nailor had a birds-eye view of the first of two sensational saves from Thiel when Sharon Lopez unloaded a powerful header toward the upper right corner - only to have the sophomore push it up and over the bar.
"Their keeper had a great night," admitted Nailor. "I thought that shot by Sharon was going in for sure."
Thiels' heroics inspired a strong finish to the first half, which included Taylor Sliwa having a half chance after the junior dispossessed a Hawks' defenderf. Later, a determined Kowalczuk had a near 1-v.-1 opportunity taken away when an alert Jessica Miller tracked back to tackle the Knights striker inside the six-yard box.
Thiel got just enough of a Natalie Nagrant strike to begin the second period - while Kowalczuk answered that chance with a drive off the back post that help fuel an exciting, box-to-box, final 40 minutes of soccer.
While both backlines showed their mettle and ability to defend when called upon, the second half was more of an attacking show than anything else. Each club threw caution to the wind in its desire to be the first to score.
The play came at breakneck speed at times, leading to a few dangerous moments on both sides of the park.
Prospect's Amy Novak went just wide in the 52nd minute, before Kobler's attempt spilled off of the bar, and nearly to an opportunistic Novak, who was beaten to the loose ball by Van, the Hawks keeper.
Thiel turned around a long-range drive from Alonso, then watched the Hawks captain just miss the back post to end an impressive bit of soccer from the home side at the hour mark.
"It was a lot of up-and-down soccer for awhile, but I thought for a large portion of that second half, we had the better of it," offered Tooren.
Knights outside back Jenny Leet joined the attack more often in the final quarter hour of play, and her presence helped the visitors keep the Hawks under pressure at times. But it went for naught after Nailor's effort found the back of the net in the 71st minute.
"Giving up a goal like that was so hard to watch. It wasn't the fault of Paige, or our defense, it was just something that happened (maybe) just bad luck," began Sullivan.
"I've seen so much improvement from this team since the very start of the season, so it's hard to see us lose one like this. I know if we can put a few balls into the net, it will all of us a big boost in our confidence, and hopefully that will happen real soon."
Added Froats: "Other than coming away with a victory tonight, I'd have to say the night was a successful one all the way around.
"We played well enough to win, but that's the way this sport goes sometimes. It doesn't get any easier with Barrington up next. But I know the girls will be ready, and I can be sure the effort will always be very strong, and that's about all you can ask for from your club."
Starting lineups
Prospect
GK- Paige Thiel
D- Grace Johannesen
D- Maggie Sullivan
D- Jenna Leane
D- Jenny Leet
MF- Natalie Marfilius
MF- Andi Marfilius
MF- Amy Novak
F- Lauren Rendino
F- Ally Kobler
F- Martina Kowalczuk
Hoffman Estates
GK- Francesca Van
D- Tori Tompkins
D- Jessica Miller
D- Jennie Nailor
D- Becca Salerno
MF- Erin Hanson
MF- Ale Alonso
MF- Anna Sall
MF- Molly Salerno
MF- Michelle Montes de Oca
F- Natalie Nagrant
Officials: Bill Niemeyer (center); Jay Cummins; Trevor Falk.
MVP of the Match: Paige Thiel, GK, Prospect.
Strong effort not enough at Hoffman Estates
By Mike Garofola
HOFFMAN ESTATES -- Jennie Nailor dashed the hopes of Prospect with a late freekick strike to give host Hoffman Estates (2-4-1, 2-2-0) a hard-fought 1-0 victory Wednesday evening in a MSL crossover contest.
Nailor's on target 40-yard attempt somehow found its way over the Lady Knights wall and past keeper Paige Thiel to keep Tom Froats' side from earning its first point of the season, while remaining scoreless in the MSL thus far.
"That was a tough one to lose," admitted the Knights manager, who was obviously disappointed after watching his club give an all-out 80-minute effort, yet still fall short.
"We clearly played some of our best attacking soccer of the season - with great movement, good runs and passing, and several quality chances (which) as we have been doing a lot of so far - failing to finish."
Froats' sophomore keeper Thiel earned MVP of the Match honors with a handful of goal-saving stops - two of which were replay worthy. She helped to keep an attack-minded Hawks side from giving its faithful more to cheer about on this blustery night.
"I thought both keepers were very good out there tonight. Frankie (Francesca Van) saved us big time on a couple of their chances, and Tom's (keeper) made two great saves, one unbelievable one to keep them in the game," offered Hoffman manager, Ralph Tooren, who has been training club keepers for years around the area.
"It was a fun game to watch for the spectators. A little stressful at times for the coaches, but it was well played, and officiated, and I am thrilled for the girls who finally get themselves to 2-2-0 for the first time in my time here at this juncture of the season."
There was little to choose between these two MSL sides, with each having its moments throughout. Prospect (0-6-0, 0-4-0) was strong during the early exchanges and clearly the better of the two clubs. The Knights showed plenty of ambition and a willingness to commit players forward in its attack.
"I really feel like this was the best our attack has looked all season long," offered captain Maggie Sullivan, who was recently moved to the backline by Froats.
"We did so many things well, except finish, and that's been the toughest thing for us to do thus far."
Prospect succeeded in creating the better of it during the first quarter hour as it continually played through junior Andi Marfilius, who would push the issue with some enterprising carries through the middle of the park before targeting the duo of Martina Kowalczuk and Ally Kobler up top.
That pair was also given a handful of quality balls off the left boot of Grace Johannesen, who ventured forward from out of the back to give Froats' attack extra numbers.
"I like the way we got everyone involved, especially in the first half," Sullivan said. "It shows we're starting to come around to what we've been working on during training."
Ale Alonso, who was a key figure in the Hoffman Estates attack all night, provided the home side with its best chance of the first period when she flashed a lovely ball onto the foot of junior Michelle Montes de Oca, who struck the ball wide of Thiel, who had her back post covered just in case.
Nailor had a birds-eye view of the first of two sensational saves from Thiel when Sharon Lopez unloaded a powerful header toward the upper right corner - only to have the sophomore push it up and over the bar.
"Their keeper had a great night," admitted Nailor. "I thought that shot by Sharon was going in for sure."
Thiels' heroics inspired a strong finish to the first half, which included Taylor Sliwa having a half chance after the junior dispossessed a Hawks' defenderf. Later, a determined Kowalczuk had a near 1-v.-1 opportunity taken away when an alert Jessica Miller tracked back to tackle the Knights striker inside the six-yard box.
Thiel got just enough of a Natalie Nagrant strike to begin the second period - while Kowalczuk answered that chance with a drive off the back post that help fuel an exciting, box-to-box, final 40 minutes of soccer.
While both backlines showed their mettle and ability to defend when called upon, the second half was more of an attacking show than anything else. Each club threw caution to the wind in its desire to be the first to score.
The play came at breakneck speed at times, leading to a few dangerous moments on both sides of the park.
Prospect's Amy Novak went just wide in the 52nd minute, before Kobler's attempt spilled off of the bar, and nearly to an opportunistic Novak, who was beaten to the loose ball by Van, the Hawks keeper.
Thiel turned around a long-range drive from Alonso, then watched the Hawks captain just miss the back post to end an impressive bit of soccer from the home side at the hour mark.
"It was a lot of up-and-down soccer for awhile, but I thought for a large portion of that second half, we had the better of it," offered Tooren.
Knights outside back Jenny Leet joined the attack more often in the final quarter hour of play, and her presence helped the visitors keep the Hawks under pressure at times. But it went for naught after Nailor's effort found the back of the net in the 71st minute.
"Giving up a goal like that was so hard to watch. It wasn't the fault of Paige, or our defense, it was just something that happened (maybe) just bad luck," began Sullivan.
"I've seen so much improvement from this team since the very start of the season, so it's hard to see us lose one like this. I know if we can put a few balls into the net, it will all of us a big boost in our confidence, and hopefully that will happen real soon."
Added Froats: "Other than coming away with a victory tonight, I'd have to say the night was a successful one all the way around.
"We played well enough to win, but that's the way this sport goes sometimes. It doesn't get any easier with Barrington up next. But I know the girls will be ready, and I can be sure the effort will always be very strong, and that's about all you can ask for from your club."
Starting lineups
Prospect
GK- Paige Thiel
D- Grace Johannesen
D- Maggie Sullivan
D- Jenna Leane
D- Jenny Leet
MF- Natalie Marfilius
MF- Andi Marfilius
MF- Amy Novak
F- Lauren Rendino
F- Ally Kobler
F- Martina Kowalczuk
Hoffman Estates
GK- Francesca Van
D- Tori Tompkins
D- Jessica Miller
D- Jennie Nailor
D- Becca Salerno
MF- Erin Hanson
MF- Ale Alonso
MF- Anna Sall
MF- Molly Salerno
MF- Michelle Montes de Oca
F- Natalie Nagrant
Officials: Bill Niemeyer (center); Jay Cummins; Trevor Falk.
MVP of the Match: Paige Thiel, GK, Prospect.