Oswego E. rally falls short vs. hot W. Aurora
West wins group, gains Plainfield Classic semi berth with 2-1 win
By Steve Nemeth
AURORA -- Due to an ominous weather forecast, the Thursday match of the Plainfield Classic between West Aurora and Oswego East became a race against the arrival of thunderstorms.
With East wearing its dark blue jerseys as the designated home team and West Aurora dressed as the visitor, things looked a little odd at Ken Zimmerman Field.
However, beyond the apparel switch and a much-earlier 4:30 p.m. start time, a lot of what took place followed expectations.
Riding the momentum of a win streak, West Aurora held off a late Oswego East comeback bid for a 2-1 victory. It was the seventh-straight triumph for the Blackhawks (7-2-0) while Oswego East (4-5-1) endured a one-goal setback for the fourth time this year.
Speaking of patterns -- as has been the case in all nine matches this season -- West got on the scoreboard first. Audrey Stephens’ goal followed by a second half assist earned her Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match status. That's not too difficult to believe considering the junior forward has had either a goal or an assist in all but one outing this year.
“Audrey is a huge presence for us on-top,” West coach Laura Wagley said. “She works hard to help get possession and uses her teammates as options. She knows she will get double-teamed but remains calm and creates opportunities for us.”
Technically the first real scoring threat belonged to the Wolves as Mikayla Lambert took a cross from the left wing and blasted a shot that West goalie Madison Russell saved. The Blackhawks answered after Sarai Munoz sent a pass from the wing that Olivia McPherson headed high in the 13th minute. Then it was East’s turn as a Sydney Conway corner was headed over by Chloe Noon.
Then at 19:30, Kiara McPherson passed to an open Stephens on the right flank. Aiming for the far left post, Stephens’ high-arching shot caught East keeper Reagan Sanders a little too far off her line. The Wolves’ keeper couldn’t quite reach high enough and West owned a 1-0 lead.
“Getting the first goal has been a big thing for us this year, but more importantly has been holding on to that lead like we did today,” Stephens noted. “Kiara’s pass to me gave me enough time to turn and survey the situation. I was looking far post and hoping to maybe curve it. Fortunately it went in and starting off with a lead was a confidence booster.”
East’s Haley Lewis had a breakaway threat for an equalizer just 3:08 prior to halftime, but Blackhawk Yuvia Ontiveros raced back to clear the ball over a sideline.
While the second half began with West’s Kiara McPherson having a 29-yard blast sail wide left, the Wolves chalked up several tries at an equalizer. Blackhawks goalie Russell gambled, racing out from her goal. It was left to Mackenzie Thompson to make a defensive stop and clear the ball away before anyone from East could poke it home.
Then came a cross by the Wolves through the goal crease that went begging for a redirect in the 49th minute. Maintaining the 1-0 lead for the Blackhawks was a result of freshman Lizzy Kuhn dropping back to block a shot on the goal line and then quickly clear it away.
Having dodged those bullets, West boosted its lead as Stephens set up Tsion White, who tucked a shot inside the left post with 25:12 left in regulation. It was her third goal, all game-winners, while Stephens earned a fifth assist to go with her team-high 11 goals.
“Despite their scoring and the late threat, I was most pleased to see us stay calm under pressure,” Wagley said. “Lizzy, Krystal (Diaz) and Gracie (Prather) especially did a good job of calling out marks, shifting the line and working together to cut off passes.
“We’ve got a huge (nine-member) junior class that are stepping up and helping the younger girls adapt to playing varsity,” Wagley noted. “Tsion’s goal was a real nice contribution. The twins (Kiara and Olivia McPherson) and Gracie are doing a good job winning balls, and they use quick, one-two touch passes to their advantage.”
As one of two freshmen starters, Diaz humbly accepted any praise.
“I don’t mind playing defense or offense or anywhere I’m needed as long as I can play,” Diaz said. “I believe our chemistry continues to get better the more we communicate. Plus we keep improving on connecting passes.”
East’s Noon had a stellar attempt from the right wing that unfortunately for the Wolves curved wide left in the 62nd minute. Tri-captain Allison Adams rocketed a 40-yard free kick that knuckled enough to become a real test for Russell. Conway lasered a try from the left side that again required a Russell save.
The Wolves increased the intensity of their offense and got on the board with 4:43 still to be played. A textbook corner kick by Alex McPhee for her team-best fifth assist was headed home by Madison Frazer.
“Whether it’s practice or a match, I always look to see where she is,” McPhee noted. “The way she’s willing to attack just amazes me. I don’t know anyone who can do what she does in throwing her whole body into the attack. Having the connection work in a game just feels awesome.”
It was the third goal this season for Frazer.
“Sometimes I know we succeeded only when I hear the ball hit the back of the net. I’ll turn my back or twist my body knowing her corners are trying to find my forehead,” Frazer explained. “We like being a dynamic duo when it comes to combining for a goal.
“Today we needed to do a better job of passing and connecting to feet much earlier in the match. We have a lot of players with great feet able to shoot left and right. We simply have to take those chances and finish them throughout the match.”
Oswego East’s opponent for Saturday’s final day of the Plainfield Classic is Bolingbrook at 1 p.m. at Plainfield Central. The Wolves follow that with a Monday visit to Yorkville and then two group-play contests in the Naperville Invitational before aiming to improve on a 2-0 Southwest Prairie Conference start.
As the Group IV winner, West Aurora advances to Saturday’s 1 p.m. semifinal against Group III winner and Chicagoland Soccer’s 19th -rated team Waubonsie Valley. On Thursday, the Warriors defeated York 4-3 behind a pair of Meg Burling goals plus one strike each from Grace Setter and Roxana Zieba.
After the Plainfield Classic, the Blackhawks hope to improve on a 2-0-0 Upstate Eight Conference ledger -- six of their final seven matches are league meetings.
Starting lineups
West Aurora
GK Madison Russell
D Laeticia Mbene
D Lizzy Kuhn
D Gracie Prather
D Isela Chavez
M Sarai Munoz
M Krystal Diaz
M Yuvia Ontiveros
F Kiara McPherson
F Audrey Stephens
F Olivia McPherson
Oswego East
GK Reagan Sanders
D Sydney Biala
D Madeline Kastel
D Allison Adams
D Katie Olivas
M Haley Lewis
M Madison Frazer
M Taylor English
M Mikayla Lambert
M Chloe Noon
F Sydney Conway
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Audrey Stephens, jr. F, West Aurora
Officials: Trey McClure (center), Itzel Ochoa, Casey Trocewicz
Game summary
West Aurora 2, Oswego East 1
WA 1 1 --- 2 (7-2-0)
OE 0 1 --- 1 (4-5-1)
Scoring
First half
WA --- Stephens 18-yard high archer from right flank inside left post (K. McPherson assist), 19:30 gone
Second half
WA --- White10-yard shot tucked inside near left post (Stephens assist), 54:38 gone
OE --- Frazer 12-yard header from left of center off corner kick (McPhee assist), 75:17 gone
Overall shots
WA 4 – 5 --- 9
OE 3 – 8 --- 11
Shots on goal
WA 1 – 3 --- 4
OE 1 – 5 --- 6
Saves (goalie)
WA (Russell) 1 – 2 (WA defenders 2) 4 --- 5
OE (Sanders) 0 – 2 --- 2
Corner kicks
WA 0 – 0 --- 0
OE 1 – 1 --- 2
Offsides
WA 0 – 0 --- 0
OE 0 – 1 --- 1
West wins group, gains Plainfield Classic semi berth with 2-1 win
By Steve Nemeth
AURORA -- Due to an ominous weather forecast, the Thursday match of the Plainfield Classic between West Aurora and Oswego East became a race against the arrival of thunderstorms.
With East wearing its dark blue jerseys as the designated home team and West Aurora dressed as the visitor, things looked a little odd at Ken Zimmerman Field.
However, beyond the apparel switch and a much-earlier 4:30 p.m. start time, a lot of what took place followed expectations.
Riding the momentum of a win streak, West Aurora held off a late Oswego East comeback bid for a 2-1 victory. It was the seventh-straight triumph for the Blackhawks (7-2-0) while Oswego East (4-5-1) endured a one-goal setback for the fourth time this year.
Speaking of patterns -- as has been the case in all nine matches this season -- West got on the scoreboard first. Audrey Stephens’ goal followed by a second half assist earned her Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match status. That's not too difficult to believe considering the junior forward has had either a goal or an assist in all but one outing this year.
“Audrey is a huge presence for us on-top,” West coach Laura Wagley said. “She works hard to help get possession and uses her teammates as options. She knows she will get double-teamed but remains calm and creates opportunities for us.”
Technically the first real scoring threat belonged to the Wolves as Mikayla Lambert took a cross from the left wing and blasted a shot that West goalie Madison Russell saved. The Blackhawks answered after Sarai Munoz sent a pass from the wing that Olivia McPherson headed high in the 13th minute. Then it was East’s turn as a Sydney Conway corner was headed over by Chloe Noon.
Then at 19:30, Kiara McPherson passed to an open Stephens on the right flank. Aiming for the far left post, Stephens’ high-arching shot caught East keeper Reagan Sanders a little too far off her line. The Wolves’ keeper couldn’t quite reach high enough and West owned a 1-0 lead.
“Getting the first goal has been a big thing for us this year, but more importantly has been holding on to that lead like we did today,” Stephens noted. “Kiara’s pass to me gave me enough time to turn and survey the situation. I was looking far post and hoping to maybe curve it. Fortunately it went in and starting off with a lead was a confidence booster.”
East’s Haley Lewis had a breakaway threat for an equalizer just 3:08 prior to halftime, but Blackhawk Yuvia Ontiveros raced back to clear the ball over a sideline.
While the second half began with West’s Kiara McPherson having a 29-yard blast sail wide left, the Wolves chalked up several tries at an equalizer. Blackhawks goalie Russell gambled, racing out from her goal. It was left to Mackenzie Thompson to make a defensive stop and clear the ball away before anyone from East could poke it home.
Then came a cross by the Wolves through the goal crease that went begging for a redirect in the 49th minute. Maintaining the 1-0 lead for the Blackhawks was a result of freshman Lizzy Kuhn dropping back to block a shot on the goal line and then quickly clear it away.
Having dodged those bullets, West boosted its lead as Stephens set up Tsion White, who tucked a shot inside the left post with 25:12 left in regulation. It was her third goal, all game-winners, while Stephens earned a fifth assist to go with her team-high 11 goals.
“Despite their scoring and the late threat, I was most pleased to see us stay calm under pressure,” Wagley said. “Lizzy, Krystal (Diaz) and Gracie (Prather) especially did a good job of calling out marks, shifting the line and working together to cut off passes.
“We’ve got a huge (nine-member) junior class that are stepping up and helping the younger girls adapt to playing varsity,” Wagley noted. “Tsion’s goal was a real nice contribution. The twins (Kiara and Olivia McPherson) and Gracie are doing a good job winning balls, and they use quick, one-two touch passes to their advantage.”
As one of two freshmen starters, Diaz humbly accepted any praise.
“I don’t mind playing defense or offense or anywhere I’m needed as long as I can play,” Diaz said. “I believe our chemistry continues to get better the more we communicate. Plus we keep improving on connecting passes.”
East’s Noon had a stellar attempt from the right wing that unfortunately for the Wolves curved wide left in the 62nd minute. Tri-captain Allison Adams rocketed a 40-yard free kick that knuckled enough to become a real test for Russell. Conway lasered a try from the left side that again required a Russell save.
The Wolves increased the intensity of their offense and got on the board with 4:43 still to be played. A textbook corner kick by Alex McPhee for her team-best fifth assist was headed home by Madison Frazer.
“Whether it’s practice or a match, I always look to see where she is,” McPhee noted. “The way she’s willing to attack just amazes me. I don’t know anyone who can do what she does in throwing her whole body into the attack. Having the connection work in a game just feels awesome.”
It was the third goal this season for Frazer.
“Sometimes I know we succeeded only when I hear the ball hit the back of the net. I’ll turn my back or twist my body knowing her corners are trying to find my forehead,” Frazer explained. “We like being a dynamic duo when it comes to combining for a goal.
“Today we needed to do a better job of passing and connecting to feet much earlier in the match. We have a lot of players with great feet able to shoot left and right. We simply have to take those chances and finish them throughout the match.”
Oswego East’s opponent for Saturday’s final day of the Plainfield Classic is Bolingbrook at 1 p.m. at Plainfield Central. The Wolves follow that with a Monday visit to Yorkville and then two group-play contests in the Naperville Invitational before aiming to improve on a 2-0 Southwest Prairie Conference start.
As the Group IV winner, West Aurora advances to Saturday’s 1 p.m. semifinal against Group III winner and Chicagoland Soccer’s 19th -rated team Waubonsie Valley. On Thursday, the Warriors defeated York 4-3 behind a pair of Meg Burling goals plus one strike each from Grace Setter and Roxana Zieba.
After the Plainfield Classic, the Blackhawks hope to improve on a 2-0-0 Upstate Eight Conference ledger -- six of their final seven matches are league meetings.
Starting lineups
West Aurora
GK Madison Russell
D Laeticia Mbene
D Lizzy Kuhn
D Gracie Prather
D Isela Chavez
M Sarai Munoz
M Krystal Diaz
M Yuvia Ontiveros
F Kiara McPherson
F Audrey Stephens
F Olivia McPherson
Oswego East
GK Reagan Sanders
D Sydney Biala
D Madeline Kastel
D Allison Adams
D Katie Olivas
M Haley Lewis
M Madison Frazer
M Taylor English
M Mikayla Lambert
M Chloe Noon
F Sydney Conway
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Audrey Stephens, jr. F, West Aurora
Officials: Trey McClure (center), Itzel Ochoa, Casey Trocewicz
Game summary
West Aurora 2, Oswego East 1
WA 1 1 --- 2 (7-2-0)
OE 0 1 --- 1 (4-5-1)
Scoring
First half
WA --- Stephens 18-yard high archer from right flank inside left post (K. McPherson assist), 19:30 gone
Second half
WA --- White10-yard shot tucked inside near left post (Stephens assist), 54:38 gone
OE --- Frazer 12-yard header from left of center off corner kick (McPhee assist), 75:17 gone
Overall shots
WA 4 – 5 --- 9
OE 3 – 8 --- 11
Shots on goal
WA 1 – 3 --- 4
OE 1 – 5 --- 6
Saves (goalie)
WA (Russell) 1 – 2 (WA defenders 2) 4 --- 5
OE (Sanders) 0 – 2 --- 2
Corner kicks
WA 0 – 0 --- 0
OE 1 – 1 --- 2
Offsides
WA 0 – 0 --- 0
OE 0 – 1 --- 1