Mustangs score late to force draw with Huskies

By Matt Le Cren

If there is one thing fans can count on when Downers Grove South and Naperville North face each other, it's physical play.

That was the case again Saturday night in Downers Grove, when the two teams combined to pick up five yellow cards and several injuries.

But in between all the stoppages of play there was quite a bit of entertaining soccer and the final result was a 2-2 tie.

"It was very physical, one of the most physical ones we've played," Naperville North forward Rycke Guiney said.

"[We're] upset. We lost our best winner in the air, which is Adrienne Schertz. She got taken out twice."

Schertz, who hopes to be ready for the Huskies' contest with Waubonsie Valley on Monday, was the only player not able to come back in the game.

But even without her, Naperville North (4-0-2) was able to control most of the action in the second half, outshooting the Mustangs 12-5 after the hosts managed a 9-6 edge in the first half.

Guiney put the Huskies ahead 2-1 with 31:07 left in the second half.

Her corner kick was booted by a defender but the ball did not clear the penalty area and Guiney ran onto the ball and scored from 12 yards out.

Naperville North continued to pour on the pressure and had several chances to extend the lead.

With 23:00 remaining, freshman Zoe Swift made a great move around a defender but her shot was kicked out by a charging Meyers.

Thirty seconds later, Guiney sent a long free kick to Christa Szalach, whose header hit the underside of the crossbar. Swift’s rebound went wide left.

Guiney, who unleashed seven shots after intermission, barely missed high on two other occasions and Meyers made a pair of diving saves before the Mustangs stunned everyone by scoring against the run of play.

Downers South junior midfielder Lauren Rusk made a run up the middle, moved to her right to get away from a defender and launched a running 20-yard shot under the crossbar to tie the game with 4:29 left.

"She hit a bomb," Naperville North coach Brent Terada said. "It was well hit. She made a great run up the field. We didn't react well and then she was able to take advantage. Good for her."

"We knew we had to work hard and I think we all knew we could get back," Rusk said. "I got the ball and I was dribbling. I made a move on her and shot. I didn't think I was going to (be that open)."

The Huskies came into the game having started the year with five consecutive shutouts, but their vaunted defense was tested immediately.

Just a minute into the contest, Megan Martin's corner kick skipped untouched into the crease, where Sarrah Ludwig got to it right in front of Huskies keeper Ellie Flessner. Ludwig's shot hit Flessner square in the chest.

But the Mustangs were just getting started. The hosts had another great chance in the 26th minute when Ludwig sent a long ball up to Keri Kujawa, who headed the ball forward past a defender and into the clear.

Flessner moved to her right to protect the far post but Kujawa shot too soon, allowing Flessner to get back in position to make the diving stop.

After Rusk just missed on two long shots, the Huskies drew first blood with 7:39 left in the opening half when a free kick from Guiney on the left wing found Szalach on the far post for a short header and a 1-0 lead.

But the Mustangs quickly got the equalizer when Martin boomed a 40-yard free kick over Flessner’s head at the 5:36 mark.

"Our defense has been doing really great," Guiney said. "[Getting scored on] is bound to happen and we gave up two. The first goal was a good goal – it was a great shot.

"The second shot; good one, too. We just have to stay with our marks. We'll figure it out and get ready for Monday."

"It was going to happen eventually," Terada said. "I thought we were better in the run of play, but a physical game is what you expect.

"They took a chunk out of probably five of our kids. But I don't blame the other team. It's more the officiating letting it get to that point."

While Guiney said the Huskies must do a better job of finishing their opportunities, Downers South coach Barry Jacobson was pleased with how Meyers, who had four saves, and the back line of Kimmy Grimmer, Jacquelyn Thate and Jess Pikul, held their ground.

"They didn't really bust our back line but one time," Jacobson said. "[Swift] made a nice move and Amanda made a great save on her. Other than that, they really didn't get behind us. The two goals they scored were nice balls."

The two teams could meet again in Class 3A sectional play, so Jacobson was happy with how the Mustangs matched the Huskies' intensity.

"We came out and played hard," he said. "They're a very good team but I thought our kids played right with them. I thought it was probably one of the better games we've played.

"Two weeks in a row we've played the top two teams in the state and we've been right there with them. Playing teams like Neuqua Valley and Naperville North are going to bring it out of you and we have to match it. I was very proud of them."