ST. CHARLES – St. Charles North needed just seven minutes to score.
After that, it was a battle where the lead was never shaken.
The North Stars held off a fierce attack from St. Charles East on Tuesday night in the Tri-Cities with a 1-0 win over their crosstown rival.
The North Stars moved on from a 3-0 loss to Wobonies Valley on Saturday. North coach Brian Harkes said the win over their crosstown rival was a complete team effort.
“I think our team showed a lot of trust in each other and gave us effort and energy all night long,” Harkes said. “So we knew there was going to be a lot of energy just because it was a crosstown classic, but the girls stepped up and executed when needed.”
Laney Stark scored the winning goal seven minutes into the game. After a foul forced the North Stars into the left corner, Julianna Park found Stark in the box and Wisconsin vs. Green Bay goal deflected the shot with her belly, sending the ball into the back of the net to give the North Stars the lead. . .
Starc said, “We haven't been able to score many goals lately, so I think this goal changed the game from the beginning.'' “I think that goal right after that created a mentality that we can win the game.”
After the early goal, North (8-2-4, 2-1 Duquesne Conference) had a simple goal: keep East from tying the score in the final 73 minutes. Harks said winning 50-50 balls and controlling the aerial duel was a big key to the victory, but in the end it was the defense and goaltending that secured the win.
“Our backline and goalie were very disciplined and calm all night,” Harkes said. “Even when there were a lot of bodies in the box, the goalkeeper went out to make a simple play, which I thought was great.
East (12-2-3, 2-1) suffered its first loss since March 19, when it lost 3-0 to Crystal Lake Central. During that losing streak, the Saints went 10-0-2.
“We competed today, but overall I think they outplayed us,” Saints coach Vince DiNuzzo said. “We took a step back today, but that game could have gone either way. I think they outplayed us, but the game wasn't night and day.”
Coach DiNuzzo said that although the undefeated streak ended against a crosstown rival, many starters got their first taste of playing against a crosstown rival.
“You don't realize how big a moment this is for these kids, but it means so much to them,” DiNuzzo said. “These few minutes will help our young starters move forward, hopefully when we meet again.”