Tigers fall to St. Francis 1-0
By Chris Walker
Photos courtesy of Diana Fowee

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St. Francis sophomore Andrea Ravlin hadn't scored a goal this season prior to Thursday night's match against Wheaton Warrenville South at Benedictine University in Lisle.

Of course, that wasn't such a big deal since the Spartans had only played twice.

What was noteworthy was the fact that the Spartans had never beaten the Tigers - ever.

Ravlin netted her first tally of the young season and it was all that the Spartans needed to come out victorious against Wheaton Warrenville South for the first time in program history.

"The kids told me that it's the first time they've ever beaten them so I think it's legit," St. Francis coach Jim Winslow said. "We played very well in the first half and we earned the 1-0 game."

The Tigers won last year's meeting, 2-0, and cruised to a 5-1 victory in 2010.

"I don't think we'd ever lost to them," Callipari said. "But it doesn't mean that it can't happen. That's why you play the game."

The effort of the Spartans also impressed Callipari.

"They looked like they were confident on the ball and poised," he said. "They had an understanding of where people were and what they need to do and we were doing a lot of chasing and that's not typical of this match-up, so maybe the tide has turned a little bit because St. Francis is in a good place.

"They have good players in key positions and the rest really work hard for them and they sacrifice for each other. I think our girls are maybe little green in that department."

Ravlin wasn't set up for her goal in any way; it was more of her own creativity and athletic ability that gave the Spartans what they needed.

"I just needed to get around my defender and once I did it, I chipped it past the goalie," she said.

Sometimes all it takes is that one big play to make the difference.

"Our defender kind of got pushed off the ball a bit and didn't recover," Callipari said. "She definitely didn't have second defender support, so we got torn apart a bit, gave her a clear shot and she made the best of it."

The Spartans have made the best of their early-season schedule. They'll head into their own Springfest tournament, which begins on Monday, with a perfect 3-0 record and a flawless sheet as they have yet to surrender a goal.

"They've been great," Winslow said of his defenders. "They're playing an important part in what we hope to do."

Juniors Meg Wagner, Kate Rohbak and Ally Mastroianni have led the defense, while standout Taylor Bucaro has played a crucial role in the midfield. Bucaro, nursing a quad injury, didn't play on Thursday even though Bowling Green State interim coach Kellie Evans was on-hand to watch her play.

"We missed what she does for us on the attack, but it's not worth pushing the quad issue," Winslow said. "The group has been great. Meg and Kate are back from last year and Ally's new. They're coming along very well."

Their stingy play hasn't come as a surprise to Mastroianni.

"We've switched things up from last year and Kate Robak is saving us all the time," she said. "We've got some new players and different systems but we're also solid all over the field: the defense, a good midfield and the forwards."

For a while, it appeared as if the match might only last a little more than one half.

Officials enforced a lightning delay with 33:50 remaining in the second half, so players, coaches and fans found shelter in their cars or in other buildings on campus. Meanwhile, players, coaches and fans from Benet and Glenbard West, who were arriving for a boys lacrosse game scheduled for after the soccer match, also were forced to frantically find shelter.

Suddenly, the stadium was empty and no one was to be found.

Approximately and hour later, officials finally gave the clearance for the match to continue but there was one big problem - where were all the players and coaches hiding? Finally, after one of the officials blew his whistle in the direction of the two parking lots, the players and coaches trickled out of their cars or whatever nearby place they found that allowed them to keep dry, and the match continued.

Wheaton Warrenville South (0-1-2) was hoping the lengthy break would rejuvenate the team, but they never could find an equalizer. Their best chance came with 26:50 remaining when Dana Miller spanked a shot off of Ditusa's hands and the crossbar.

"I think the girls were excited because it would've been deflating to not have the chance to equalize and lose 33 minutes," Callipari said. "They played fairly inspired but there was no rhyme or reason to our play. We didn't play like there was 33 minutes. We played like there was only two minutes on the clock and we were predictable."

With players battling aches and pains and a busy tournament coming up next week, Winslow was concerned with how the Spartans would respond after the delay.

"The crappy part about it is we're a little dinged up and we had played well in the first half," he said. "Then you have a lengthy break and you're wet and you get back our there and don't know what it's going to be like."

While the Spartans have gotten off to a great start, the Tigers are still searching for some consistency with some returning players, as well as players coming back from injuries and an influx of six talented freshmen.

"There's a lot of growing pains and you just have to be patient," Callipari said. "There's not much rhythm or continuity in our play right now, but we have a lot of talent on the field and it's working through those predicaments."