Girls Soccer: Bolingbrook shuts out Willowbrook
By Tim O’Brien For Sun-Times Media March 15, 2013 10:42PM
Updated: April 18, 2013 6:57AM
With his team searching for an offensive identity, Bolingbrook coach Martin Uscila isn’t looking for any style points.
Just put the ball in the net once, and let the defense do the rest.
“When we work hard, it might not be pretty, but we give ourselves a chance,” Uscila said.
Having posted two shutouts to get to Friday’s semifinals in the Windy City Ram Classic, the Raiders added a third shutout to their resume with a 1-0 home win over Willowbrook.
Bolingbrook will play Fenwick, a 1-0 winner over host Lincoln-Way West, at noon Sunday at Toyota Park for the tournament championship.
Junior striker Rachel Schneider continued her strong play offensively early in the season for Bolingbrook, her goal with 1:19 remaining in the game proving to be the game-winner.
“This is the first year Rachel has played striker for us, and we’re trying to play through her,” Uscila said. “It’s not perfect yet so while we’re working out the kinks we’ll run into some trouble scoring.”
With neither team able to muster any offense, the Raiders finally clicked late. Off a pass from Tyler Holmes at midfield, sophomore Caroline Harvey made her run up the left side of the field before sending a cross into the box.
The perfect pass found Schneider near the far post, the junior finding the net with a shot past Willowbrook goalkeeper Alexis Jones.
“We were trying to play off our defense and get on the attack as quick as possible,” Harvey said. “I just had to turn my hips and make that pass, and I was able to (get the ball into the box).”
The goal was Schneider’s fourth of the season for Bolingbrook (3-0). Goalie Karissa Jones had three saves for the Raiders.
As for playing at Toyota Park on Sunday, Harvey can’t think of a better early season reward.
“It’s definitely an improvement on previous years,” Harvey said. “We have our goals this year, and this is definitely one we’ve been working toward.”
Tiffany Brinkman had two free kicks come up short in the second half for Willowbrook (2-1). Jones made two saves.
