W. Chicago, 'big fish' prove
too much for Streamwood
Kirkwood rules the pond in 3-1 victory
By Mike Garofola
STREAMWOOD -- A Karen Ibarra goal and late first-half strike from Stephanie Mata helped West Chicago earn a well-deserved 3-1 win over Streamwood on Tuesday to level the Wildcats' overall record to 4-4-0, while moving J. Cesar Gomez's side to 2-0-0 in the Upstate Eight Conference.
With Millennium Field bathed in afternoon sunshine, the Wildcats started brightly, putting some quality half-chance efforts on frame during the first quarter hour, while the home side struggled with some tight play due to a two-week layoff after its season opening victory over Dundee-Crown.
"I think we had a lot of rust on our game for most of the first half, (which) is expected after just training (and) not playing for so long," admitted Streamwood coach Matt Polovin. "(That) and the fact that West Chicago came into today's game already having seven games under its belt and looking a lot more comfortable on the ball, and with its possession (also) made us look a little bit slower and out of sync."
Polovin expected plenty of tempo and high-percentage possession from his guests, and the Wildcats didn't disappoint. With Maddie Aguilar, Alexa Vega and Mata proving a lively bunch in the midfield, their counterparts were unable to inspire any type of attack. They were forced to defend this trio -- who would target and connect with leading scorer Kayla Kirkwood.
"I tell the girls that Kayla is our big fish -- but all of the 'little' fish around her will get their chances if they work with her, and with and without the ball," said Wildcats coach Gomez.
Kirkwood, who came into this match with seven goals, was a constant thorn in the side of the Sabres. Chicagoland Soccer's MVP of the match held the ball with ease before finding her mates, creating and, at her most dangerous times, running at the Sabres' back line with pace and power. Kirkwood put quality shots on frame and at keeper Yasmine Resendiz, who was strong between the sticks for Polovin.
"Kayla is a load up top, and she do so many things whether she has the ball or not, but if not for the job that Esmeralda (Navarro) did, she might have had a couple of goals and the score might not have been as close," admitted Polovin, who beamed when talking of the freshman center-back, and another rookie, Alex Bonilla, who make up one-half of the Sabres back line.
"They're the future for us back there, and along with Resendiz, who's a sophomore, and one of two very good keepers we have (the other is Nathalie Guindon), things are looking good for us," Polovin said.
"Esmeralda did a great job out there for us. (Marking) someone as big, strong and fast as Kirkwood is not easy," chimed Tawny Carroll and Alondra Blanco, who know the value of a stout defense, especially this season.
"This team is so young," Carroll explained. "There are only three seniors on our roster and eight freshmen and sophomores combined, so it's going to take some time for all of this to come together."
Gomez has watched the failure of his club to finish its chances come back to haunt them, including a disappointing 1-0 loss to Schaumburg in the Wildcats' second match of the season.
"This is a team that possesses well, and can get forward and attack, but we haven't been as sharp as we need to be in the final third, and it's cost us goals far too many times. But today we did a little bit better of a job finishing," Gomez said.
West Chicago created four corners in the first 25 minutes, all sent in with some nice pace and purpose off the left foot of Vega, but the Sabres defended all of them well.
With the Wildcats enjoying most of the run of play in the early exchanges, the warning signs for trouble were clear to see for Polovin and his staff.
At 19 minutes, the visitors finally broke through. Kirkwood's marauding run and carry up the right side found her enough time and space to send a superb early ball to the back post, where Ibarra's clinical finish left Resendiz little chance to stop her well-struck shot.
"That was a beautiful goal," Gomez said with a smile.
With the Wildcats' confidence growing after the Ibarra goal, the Sabres found themselves having more and more trouble getting out of their own end, while defending more than they would have liked.
"You could tell all of those games they have played compared to us really made a difference in their overall play in that first half," offered Blanco, a sophomore who wore the captain's armband for Polovin along with Carroll.
Vega and Mata would each threaten -- forcing Resendiz to save their attempts at the young keeper -- while a well-timed tackle from Navarro likely stopped Marli Welch from getting in on Resendiz at 25 minutes.
Mata ran onto a neatly played ball from Vega and redirected her left-footed blast from in close to double the West Chicago advantage in the 33rd minute.
"We were in a little bit of trouble at that point, but we came back and finished strong for the last four or five minutes before the break. I think that really helped us come out with more confidence and urgency in the second half," Polovin said.
Just before intermission, Carroll and Karina Nevarez worked some magic up the left side that ended with the Sabres senior Carroll firing straight at keeper Emma Gaggioli. Moments later, the same duo was at it again, forcing Gaggioli to extend to stop Carroll one more time.
The best effort of this sequence by the home side came two minutes from time with Blanco putting Carroll in closer -- again forcing Gaggioli to turn away her attempt. On the other end, Resendiz's athletic kick save on a drive from Alli Oglanian kept the visitors from adding to its lead after 40 minutes.
Gomez had to make a change between the sticks when it appeared Gaggioli may have suffered a concussion during those final few minutes of the first period, sending in his talented back line star Jessie Maldonado for the second half.
"It's tough losing a keeper like Emma," Gomez said. "We feel very badly for her. (It's) a tough break, but we hope the news on her return soon is a good one."
Streamwood drew closer with a 49th-minute goal, which came at the end of a lightning center channel run from Kaila Ford. Her one-timer from just outside the six finished a lovely helper from Carroll from the left side.
"When (Streamwood) scored that early second-half goal, you look back at the two or three quality chances we had and wonder if it will cost you later," Gomez said. "But I told the girls to keep working and creating, and sooner or later the goals will come. They did today."
Oglanian and Kirkwood would get close shortly thereafter. The game began to open up as the Sabres searched for the equalizer.
West Chicago, and in particular Kirkwood, would not be denied. Kirkwood found the back of the net from close range after a defensive mistake gave the striker enough room and space to collect her eighth goal of the season.
"You saw how important (Esmeralda) Navarro is to us on that third goal," Polivin said. "She came out for an instant to get her sore ankle checked, and Kirkwood immediately took advantage. That's why I think our young backline is going to be a really good one when it all comes together for us."
West Chicago's Stephanie Mata was proud of her mates, and the 80-minute effort they turned in Wednesday.
"I thought we were a little quicker, and better with the ball today. Especially in that first half when it looked like the experience we had from playing so many games was a big difference," said the affable Wildcats senior.
"There's been a lot of improvement from that first game against Hinsdale Central (a 7-0 loss) to (today) -- not only in the way we possessed and passed, but also in the way we won 50-50 balls, defended and worked to find open spaces and our teammates.
"We're lucky to have a big powerhouse forward up top with Kayla, because she opens up so much for the rest of us in the final third."
Gomez concluded: "It's good to get to 4-4-0 on the season, especially after a couple of tough losses.
"Our back line did very well today, even with us moving Maldonado back in goal. Our freshman (Genesis Garcia) was very good today back there and the rest of the group did want they had to do to help keep their chances to just a few on the day."
West Chicago will continue its busy schedule with a match on the road at East Aurora today, while the Sabres take on state power St. Charles East on Thursday.
"We made some good strides from our opener two weeks ago, so we'll see what we've got against one of the best on Thursday," Polovin said. "I know the girls will be ready to come out and play. That's something you can count on for sure."
Starting lineups
West Chicago
GK - Emma Gaggioli
D - Kimmy Diaz
D - Jessie Maldonado
D - Genesis Garcia
D - Vicky Cantu
MF - Maddie Aguilar
MF - Stephanie Mata
MF - Alexa Vega
MF - Katie Reitz
F - Kayla Kirkwood
F - Alli Oglanian
Streamwood
GK- Yasmine Resendiz
D - Stephanie Corona
D - Esmeralda Navarro
D - Stephanie Corona
D - Alex Bonilla
MF - Cassie Adan
MF - Alondra Blanco
MF - Kaila Ford
MF - Karina Nevarez
F - Tawny Carroll
F - Shonali Pierce-Vazquez
MVP of the Match: Kayla Kirkwood, F, West Chicago
Officials: Steve Jablo, Jay Cummins and Dan Mitchell
too much for Streamwood
Kirkwood rules the pond in 3-1 victory
By Mike Garofola
STREAMWOOD -- A Karen Ibarra goal and late first-half strike from Stephanie Mata helped West Chicago earn a well-deserved 3-1 win over Streamwood on Tuesday to level the Wildcats' overall record to 4-4-0, while moving J. Cesar Gomez's side to 2-0-0 in the Upstate Eight Conference.
With Millennium Field bathed in afternoon sunshine, the Wildcats started brightly, putting some quality half-chance efforts on frame during the first quarter hour, while the home side struggled with some tight play due to a two-week layoff after its season opening victory over Dundee-Crown.
"I think we had a lot of rust on our game for most of the first half, (which) is expected after just training (and) not playing for so long," admitted Streamwood coach Matt Polovin. "(That) and the fact that West Chicago came into today's game already having seven games under its belt and looking a lot more comfortable on the ball, and with its possession (also) made us look a little bit slower and out of sync."
Polovin expected plenty of tempo and high-percentage possession from his guests, and the Wildcats didn't disappoint. With Maddie Aguilar, Alexa Vega and Mata proving a lively bunch in the midfield, their counterparts were unable to inspire any type of attack. They were forced to defend this trio -- who would target and connect with leading scorer Kayla Kirkwood.
"I tell the girls that Kayla is our big fish -- but all of the 'little' fish around her will get their chances if they work with her, and with and without the ball," said Wildcats coach Gomez.
Kirkwood, who came into this match with seven goals, was a constant thorn in the side of the Sabres. Chicagoland Soccer's MVP of the match held the ball with ease before finding her mates, creating and, at her most dangerous times, running at the Sabres' back line with pace and power. Kirkwood put quality shots on frame and at keeper Yasmine Resendiz, who was strong between the sticks for Polovin.
"Kayla is a load up top, and she do so many things whether she has the ball or not, but if not for the job that Esmeralda (Navarro) did, she might have had a couple of goals and the score might not have been as close," admitted Polovin, who beamed when talking of the freshman center-back, and another rookie, Alex Bonilla, who make up one-half of the Sabres back line.
"They're the future for us back there, and along with Resendiz, who's a sophomore, and one of two very good keepers we have (the other is Nathalie Guindon), things are looking good for us," Polovin said.
"Esmeralda did a great job out there for us. (Marking) someone as big, strong and fast as Kirkwood is not easy," chimed Tawny Carroll and Alondra Blanco, who know the value of a stout defense, especially this season.
"This team is so young," Carroll explained. "There are only three seniors on our roster and eight freshmen and sophomores combined, so it's going to take some time for all of this to come together."
Gomez has watched the failure of his club to finish its chances come back to haunt them, including a disappointing 1-0 loss to Schaumburg in the Wildcats' second match of the season.
"This is a team that possesses well, and can get forward and attack, but we haven't been as sharp as we need to be in the final third, and it's cost us goals far too many times. But today we did a little bit better of a job finishing," Gomez said.
West Chicago created four corners in the first 25 minutes, all sent in with some nice pace and purpose off the left foot of Vega, but the Sabres defended all of them well.
With the Wildcats enjoying most of the run of play in the early exchanges, the warning signs for trouble were clear to see for Polovin and his staff.
At 19 minutes, the visitors finally broke through. Kirkwood's marauding run and carry up the right side found her enough time and space to send a superb early ball to the back post, where Ibarra's clinical finish left Resendiz little chance to stop her well-struck shot.
"That was a beautiful goal," Gomez said with a smile.
With the Wildcats' confidence growing after the Ibarra goal, the Sabres found themselves having more and more trouble getting out of their own end, while defending more than they would have liked.
"You could tell all of those games they have played compared to us really made a difference in their overall play in that first half," offered Blanco, a sophomore who wore the captain's armband for Polovin along with Carroll.
Vega and Mata would each threaten -- forcing Resendiz to save their attempts at the young keeper -- while a well-timed tackle from Navarro likely stopped Marli Welch from getting in on Resendiz at 25 minutes.
Mata ran onto a neatly played ball from Vega and redirected her left-footed blast from in close to double the West Chicago advantage in the 33rd minute.
"We were in a little bit of trouble at that point, but we came back and finished strong for the last four or five minutes before the break. I think that really helped us come out with more confidence and urgency in the second half," Polovin said.
Just before intermission, Carroll and Karina Nevarez worked some magic up the left side that ended with the Sabres senior Carroll firing straight at keeper Emma Gaggioli. Moments later, the same duo was at it again, forcing Gaggioli to extend to stop Carroll one more time.
The best effort of this sequence by the home side came two minutes from time with Blanco putting Carroll in closer -- again forcing Gaggioli to turn away her attempt. On the other end, Resendiz's athletic kick save on a drive from Alli Oglanian kept the visitors from adding to its lead after 40 minutes.
Gomez had to make a change between the sticks when it appeared Gaggioli may have suffered a concussion during those final few minutes of the first period, sending in his talented back line star Jessie Maldonado for the second half.
"It's tough losing a keeper like Emma," Gomez said. "We feel very badly for her. (It's) a tough break, but we hope the news on her return soon is a good one."
Streamwood drew closer with a 49th-minute goal, which came at the end of a lightning center channel run from Kaila Ford. Her one-timer from just outside the six finished a lovely helper from Carroll from the left side.
"When (Streamwood) scored that early second-half goal, you look back at the two or three quality chances we had and wonder if it will cost you later," Gomez said. "But I told the girls to keep working and creating, and sooner or later the goals will come. They did today."
Oglanian and Kirkwood would get close shortly thereafter. The game began to open up as the Sabres searched for the equalizer.
West Chicago, and in particular Kirkwood, would not be denied. Kirkwood found the back of the net from close range after a defensive mistake gave the striker enough room and space to collect her eighth goal of the season.
"You saw how important (Esmeralda) Navarro is to us on that third goal," Polivin said. "She came out for an instant to get her sore ankle checked, and Kirkwood immediately took advantage. That's why I think our young backline is going to be a really good one when it all comes together for us."
West Chicago's Stephanie Mata was proud of her mates, and the 80-minute effort they turned in Wednesday.
"I thought we were a little quicker, and better with the ball today. Especially in that first half when it looked like the experience we had from playing so many games was a big difference," said the affable Wildcats senior.
"There's been a lot of improvement from that first game against Hinsdale Central (a 7-0 loss) to (today) -- not only in the way we possessed and passed, but also in the way we won 50-50 balls, defended and worked to find open spaces and our teammates.
"We're lucky to have a big powerhouse forward up top with Kayla, because she opens up so much for the rest of us in the final third."
Gomez concluded: "It's good to get to 4-4-0 on the season, especially after a couple of tough losses.
"Our back line did very well today, even with us moving Maldonado back in goal. Our freshman (Genesis Garcia) was very good today back there and the rest of the group did want they had to do to help keep their chances to just a few on the day."
West Chicago will continue its busy schedule with a match on the road at East Aurora today, while the Sabres take on state power St. Charles East on Thursday.
"We made some good strides from our opener two weeks ago, so we'll see what we've got against one of the best on Thursday," Polovin said. "I know the girls will be ready to come out and play. That's something you can count on for sure."
Starting lineups
West Chicago
GK - Emma Gaggioli
D - Kimmy Diaz
D - Jessie Maldonado
D - Genesis Garcia
D - Vicky Cantu
MF - Maddie Aguilar
MF - Stephanie Mata
MF - Alexa Vega
MF - Katie Reitz
F - Kayla Kirkwood
F - Alli Oglanian
Streamwood
GK- Yasmine Resendiz
D - Stephanie Corona
D - Esmeralda Navarro
D - Stephanie Corona
D - Alex Bonilla
MF - Cassie Adan
MF - Alondra Blanco
MF - Kaila Ford
MF - Karina Nevarez
F - Tawny Carroll
F - Shonali Pierce-Vazquez
MVP of the Match: Kayla Kirkwood, F, West Chicago
Officials: Steve Jablo, Jay Cummins and Dan Mitchell