Reese's dual role helps lift Warriors in 1-1 tie with Streamwood
By Gary Larsen

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Never fear, Louisa’s here.

When Willowbrook goalkeeper Shanti Lindberg collided with a Streamwood player just three minutes into Wednesday’s contest and had to leave the game, Warriors coach Pete Montgomery had a no-brainer decision to make.

“Louisa Reese was our starting goalkeeper when she was a freshman,” Montgomery said. “She decided she wanted to be a field player so she’s been a midfielder for us for the past two years.”

Senior captain Reese put on Lindberg’s gloves and didn’t miss a beat, keeping the Sabres out of net until halftime. Lindberg returned to net in the second half, kept the slate clean, and Reese went back to work at midfield.

“I always loved playing the field and you get a different kind of rush there,” Reese said. “I kind of got burnt out of goalkeeping. It’s nice every once in a while but I like playing on the field. I can have a different impact on the team at midfield.”

Streamwood scored on the play that knocked Linberg from the game but Willowbrook’s Natalie Wolski scored in the game’s second half in Streamwood to earn the 1-1 tie. The tie put the Warriors’ season record at 2-2-1 for the season and Montgomery likes what he’s getting from his team thus far.

“We haven’t been able to possess or attack the last two years the way we’ve been able to so far this season,” he said. “We’re attacking more and we’re playing more offense.”

Reese attributes the incremental step forward for her program to the experience that younger players are now bringing to the table.

“I think it’s been a higher soccer IQ on the team,” Reese said. “More and more players are playing club, and technically we’re at a higher level than we’ve been. We have really good chemistry and we’ve added players that bring real positive energy this year.”

Near the end of the first half on Wednesday, another Warrior went down to injury, but the team showed guts in the face of losing another one of its players. “I’m really proud of the resiliency they showed,” Montgomery said. “We had to shuffle players around but they adapted to it and kept playing hard.”

With Lindberg back home in net for the second half, the Warriors’ girls in back helped keep Streamwood from finding the net a second time.

“(Sophomore defender) Lauren Carroll is just tough as nails,” Montgomery said. “I’ve told her that if I played on one of our opposing teams, hers is the last face I’d want to see out there. She’s tough, physical, fast and strong and she does an outstanding job back there. And Claire Criscione is really maturing into the stopper spot, in terms of playing tough defense and then helping us transition into the offense.”

There’s a common sentiment that coaches often express for their steadiest players, and Montgomery expressed that sentiment after Wednesday’s game for senior marking backs Andy Escallier and captain Marissa Yepez.

“They’re real calm, steady players. They’re not flashy, they’re not going to bring the ball out of the back and go on a 70-yard run, but they just get the job done,” Montgomery said. “One of the biggest compliments I can give to them is that I can forget about them on the field.  I don’t have to worry about whether they’re getting it done or not. I’m so confident in them that I never worry about them.”

Willowbrook began winning more battles at midfield in the second half against Streamwood, which translated to more offensive push onto the Sabres’ half of midfield.

“Natalie Wolski was an important part of that, and Claire Criscione coming out of the back to the midfield was essential for our possession, and having Louisa back on the field in the second half was the biggest difference,” Montgomery said.

“Louisa brings everything to the table – energy, skill, and girls look to her to set the tone on the field,” Montgomery said. “She’s aggressive, she wins head balls, wins first touches, and that’s what she did throughout the second half. She’s a catalyst for us and we miss her when she’s not there.”

“We’re a better team with Shanti in the goal and Louisa on the field.”