Warriors can't recover from Cougars' three quick goals

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By Curt Herron

Lincoln-Way West faced enough adversity just going up against a good Plainfield South squad in an opening-round matchup in the Plainfield North Invite on Monday.

Then the Warriors found out that South would have a strong wind advantage at its back during the opening 35-minute half in the match at Lincoln-Way West.

While West held the Cougars at bay for the first 20 minutes, it allowed three scores within a 4:04-span just after that and wasn't able to recover.

South added one more goal before the break and another shortly afterward as it went on to capture a 5-0 victory over the Warriors in New Lenox.

It was the sixth win in the last seven matches for the Cougars (9-4-2), who play Queen of Peace on Wednesday back at Lincoln-Way West.

Meanwhile, the Warriors (4-10) dropped their sixth match in the last seven as they prepare for a Wednesday meeting with Addison Trail.

While five different players scored goals for South, one individual had a hand in three of those scores.

That was senior Sarah Johnson, who contributed assists on the Cougars' first, third and fifth goals of the match.

Taylor Schwebke enjoyed a fairly easy afternoon in the net as she recorded the shutout victory for South.

Click to hear South coach Kevin Allen

Although South had nearly all of the good chances during the initial 35-minute half, West nearly grabbed the early lead.

Three minutes in, Kara Winans seemed to be on her way to getting a close shot on goal but defender Alayna Stepanovsky broke the play up.

Over the next few minutes, Katie Hamilton sent a bouncer to keeper Ashley Sichak and Lindsey Zagar had her liner cleared by Kalin Winans.

Shortly after that, Alex Truhlar curved a corner kick that Sichak had to punch away before stopping a long attempt from Hamilton.

The Cougars finally broke through with 14:58 left in the first half when Truhlar sent a liner that went off the fingers of West's keeper.

Then 3:37 later, Abby Banks got a long shot into the wind and it took a big bounce and went into the net to make it a 2-0 score.

It only took South 26 seconds to add another goal as Johnson sent a pass to Hamilton, who bounced in a short shot attempt.

South concluded its first half flurry with 3:18 to go when Jaime Langlois took a cross from Zagar and connected from close range.

Click to hear West coach Jeff Theiss

There was very little drama during the second half as the Cougars were content to play a possession game.

West enjoyed a strong wind advantage but seemed demoralized by the deficit and wasn't able to capitalize.

The Cougars actually had most of the good scoring chances during the second half, of which there were few.

Just two minutes into the new half, the Warriors had what was arguably their best chance of the afternoon.

Cori Brennan managed to get off a threatening line drive, but the attempt was hauled in by Schwebke.

South completed the scoring with 26:27 left when Zagar sent in a floater, following a pass from Johnson.

The visitors had a few chances after that, with the best coming about 15 minutes later on a free kick from Danni Dame.

It was the second straight shutout and fifth in sixth matches for South, which has nine goals in its last two matches.

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