Carmel comes back to top Palatine
Galla sisters combine of go-ahead goal in 4-2 win
By Rusty Silber
MUNDELEIN -- Trying to get out and practice has been the hard part for a number of teams with the preseason cold weather and tough conditions. But getting a chance to get outside and play has been rewarding.
The Carmel offense sure feels that way. The Corsairs have started to find their groove, and that led to a 4-2 win over visiting Palatine in a nonconference match Monday night.
Carmel (2-1-0) has an attacking type of team that works together finding ways to score.
"I like our firepower. I like that our attack is strong right now," Carmel coach Ray Krawzak said. "We have a lot of combinations which create a lot of things. We're working on getting that timing and chemistry, know the pass that's coming before it comes. Know the pass that's played before it comes to you. With more games and more practice, the decision-making will get faster. We're just going through the process of playing a game. Working it around the defense will help us improve."
Carmel has a younger team than last year, but they still have quality returning players who provide experience and leadership. Grambling State-bound Zenaya Barnes who scored her first goal of the season Monday night, is one returner up-top who shows her ability and leads by example.
"I think we have a lot to work on, but we're gradually getting better as a team," Barnes said. "We're working to get better from each position starting from the back to the mids to the forwards. We do have a young team this year, which is good, because we will have the experience in the future. We still need to work on getting to know each other as players on and off the field. Once we get to know each other, then we should play well."
Liz Galla scored the eventual game-winning goal on a header off a cross from her sister Sarah that had put the Corsairs ahead 3-2 in the 55th minute.
Liz Galla had played the majority of the season last year in the back. This year she has moved up more in the attacking part of the field. It has added a lot in the Corsairs ability to score goals. Her start-of-the-week effort earned Chicagoland Soccer's MVP of the Match accolade.
"I knew I had to get up and down (the field), that's my role," said Liz Galla, who scored her first goal of the season. "I knew Sarah had a strong foot, and I had to get there. I knew there was a player in front of me, and I had to get behind her. (The ball) was in the air, I had to get over her or behind her. I tried to find a good spot, and it just went in."
Liz Galla had played at outside back. She is enjoying the change of scenery.
"I do like being up there more," Liz Galla added. "I know we have a lot more people up there with stronger legs. I just try to get up there as much as I can."
Barnes added the insurance goal for the Corsairs in the 72nd minute with a shot that found its way into the back of the net off an assist from Lucy Tarcha.
Carmel took the lead in the fifth minute. Sarah Galla sent a low, line cross from the left side that went off a Palatine defender and found the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
Olivia Pullin made it 2-0 in favor of the Corsairs in the 18th minute. She took control of the ball beyond midfield and then she tactically beat a couple of Pirates' defenders and scored on a breakaway.
Palatine (1-1-0) cut the lead in half in the 37th minute. Melanie Simon stepped up from her center back spot and hit a 40-yard kick under the crossbar.
"I'm comfortable hitting kicks like that," Simon said. "We always say to go to the edge of the six, and I try to aim. But it obviously took its own direction into the back of the net. Set plays are a help for us -- corner kick, throws and free kicks. When I can get the ball into the box it definitely helps."
Simon assisted on the second Pirates' goal that tied the game at 2-2 in the 42nd minute. She sent a long service down the left wing where Ashley Donselaar took control. The Pirates sophomore beat a Corsairs' defender with a nifty move and fired a shot off the crossbar and behind the goal line.
Palatine nearly took the lead a couple minutes later with a couple of shots in succession off the crossbar and then off the post.
The Pirates effort was there, even though they couldn't score the rest of the way.
"It wasn't a technical issue, (Carmel) obviously has better technical players than us," Palatine coach Willie Filian said. "In order for us to be in games like that, we have to be ready to compete. We need to tackle better and compete for every ball.
"We did have a better second half. It was nice to see, but we have a lot to work on and clean up. We have to seize the opportunity and take advantage of the momentum. A team like (Carmel), you allow them time and space on the ball, they will pick you apart."
The Pirates also played the match without Shelby Donofrio who sat out because of a concussion suffered in the Pirates season-opening 2-0 win versus Boylan.
Next up for Palatine is Huntley on Saturday, while Carmel travels to play Cary-Grove on the road Thursday.
Starting lineups
Palatine
GK-Amaya Rivera
D-Grace Marion
D-Melanie Simon
D-Ashley Donselaar
D-Victoria Simons
MF-Julianna Mandarino
MF-Jennifer Lopez
MF-Brianna Curylo
MF-Serena Escalona
F-Caden Bargowski
F-Olivia Radtke
Carmel
GK-Taylor Zelich
D-Caitlin Teehan
D-Morgan Smola
D-Maddy Splitt
MF-Liz Galla
MF-Mia Salvi
MF-Olivia Pullin
MF-Olivia Salvi
F-Zenaya Barnes
F-Sarah Galla
F-Lucy Tarcha
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Liz Galla, so., MF Carmel
Referee: Paul McMahon
Assistant referees: Alex Mavros and Mike Conklin
Scoring summary
Carmel 4, Palatine 2
Palatine 1 1 -- 2
Carmel 2 2 -- 4
First half
Carmel-Sarah Galla (unassisted) 5'
Carmel-Olivia Pullin (unassisted) 18'
Palatine-Melanie Simon (unassisted) 37'
Second half
Palatine-Ashley Donselaar (Simon) 42'
Carmel-Liz Galla (Sarah Galla) 55'
Carmel-Zenaya Barnes (Lucy Tarcha) 72
Galla sisters combine of go-ahead goal in 4-2 win
By Rusty Silber
MUNDELEIN -- Trying to get out and practice has been the hard part for a number of teams with the preseason cold weather and tough conditions. But getting a chance to get outside and play has been rewarding.
The Carmel offense sure feels that way. The Corsairs have started to find their groove, and that led to a 4-2 win over visiting Palatine in a nonconference match Monday night.
Carmel (2-1-0) has an attacking type of team that works together finding ways to score.
"I like our firepower. I like that our attack is strong right now," Carmel coach Ray Krawzak said. "We have a lot of combinations which create a lot of things. We're working on getting that timing and chemistry, know the pass that's coming before it comes. Know the pass that's played before it comes to you. With more games and more practice, the decision-making will get faster. We're just going through the process of playing a game. Working it around the defense will help us improve."
Carmel has a younger team than last year, but they still have quality returning players who provide experience and leadership. Grambling State-bound Zenaya Barnes who scored her first goal of the season Monday night, is one returner up-top who shows her ability and leads by example.
"I think we have a lot to work on, but we're gradually getting better as a team," Barnes said. "We're working to get better from each position starting from the back to the mids to the forwards. We do have a young team this year, which is good, because we will have the experience in the future. We still need to work on getting to know each other as players on and off the field. Once we get to know each other, then we should play well."
Liz Galla scored the eventual game-winning goal on a header off a cross from her sister Sarah that had put the Corsairs ahead 3-2 in the 55th minute.
Liz Galla had played the majority of the season last year in the back. This year she has moved up more in the attacking part of the field. It has added a lot in the Corsairs ability to score goals. Her start-of-the-week effort earned Chicagoland Soccer's MVP of the Match accolade.
"I knew I had to get up and down (the field), that's my role," said Liz Galla, who scored her first goal of the season. "I knew Sarah had a strong foot, and I had to get there. I knew there was a player in front of me, and I had to get behind her. (The ball) was in the air, I had to get over her or behind her. I tried to find a good spot, and it just went in."
Liz Galla had played at outside back. She is enjoying the change of scenery.
"I do like being up there more," Liz Galla added. "I know we have a lot more people up there with stronger legs. I just try to get up there as much as I can."
Barnes added the insurance goal for the Corsairs in the 72nd minute with a shot that found its way into the back of the net off an assist from Lucy Tarcha.
Carmel took the lead in the fifth minute. Sarah Galla sent a low, line cross from the left side that went off a Palatine defender and found the back of the net for a 1-0 lead.
Olivia Pullin made it 2-0 in favor of the Corsairs in the 18th minute. She took control of the ball beyond midfield and then she tactically beat a couple of Pirates' defenders and scored on a breakaway.
Palatine (1-1-0) cut the lead in half in the 37th minute. Melanie Simon stepped up from her center back spot and hit a 40-yard kick under the crossbar.
"I'm comfortable hitting kicks like that," Simon said. "We always say to go to the edge of the six, and I try to aim. But it obviously took its own direction into the back of the net. Set plays are a help for us -- corner kick, throws and free kicks. When I can get the ball into the box it definitely helps."
Simon assisted on the second Pirates' goal that tied the game at 2-2 in the 42nd minute. She sent a long service down the left wing where Ashley Donselaar took control. The Pirates sophomore beat a Corsairs' defender with a nifty move and fired a shot off the crossbar and behind the goal line.
Palatine nearly took the lead a couple minutes later with a couple of shots in succession off the crossbar and then off the post.
The Pirates effort was there, even though they couldn't score the rest of the way.
"It wasn't a technical issue, (Carmel) obviously has better technical players than us," Palatine coach Willie Filian said. "In order for us to be in games like that, we have to be ready to compete. We need to tackle better and compete for every ball.
"We did have a better second half. It was nice to see, but we have a lot to work on and clean up. We have to seize the opportunity and take advantage of the momentum. A team like (Carmel), you allow them time and space on the ball, they will pick you apart."
The Pirates also played the match without Shelby Donofrio who sat out because of a concussion suffered in the Pirates season-opening 2-0 win versus Boylan.
Next up for Palatine is Huntley on Saturday, while Carmel travels to play Cary-Grove on the road Thursday.
Starting lineups
Palatine
GK-Amaya Rivera
D-Grace Marion
D-Melanie Simon
D-Ashley Donselaar
D-Victoria Simons
MF-Julianna Mandarino
MF-Jennifer Lopez
MF-Brianna Curylo
MF-Serena Escalona
F-Caden Bargowski
F-Olivia Radtke
Carmel
GK-Taylor Zelich
D-Caitlin Teehan
D-Morgan Smola
D-Maddy Splitt
MF-Liz Galla
MF-Mia Salvi
MF-Olivia Pullin
MF-Olivia Salvi
F-Zenaya Barnes
F-Sarah Galla
F-Lucy Tarcha
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Liz Galla, so., MF Carmel
Referee: Paul McMahon
Assistant referees: Alex Mavros and Mike Conklin
Scoring summary
Carmel 4, Palatine 2
Palatine 1 1 -- 2
Carmel 2 2 -- 4
First half
Carmel-Sarah Galla (unassisted) 5'
Carmel-Olivia Pullin (unassisted) 18'
Palatine-Melanie Simon (unassisted) 37'
Second half
Palatine-Ashley Donselaar (Simon) 42'
Carmel-Liz Galla (Sarah Galla) 55'
Carmel-Zenaya Barnes (Lucy Tarcha) 72