Players professing to love “the big game” are as common as the critical contests themselves, but the goalkeepers for the area’s best soccer teams, such as Schaumburg’s Tracy McArthur, have a more concrete reason than most for looking forward to matchups with especially talented teams.
“Usually when we play I stand around and watch the ball on the other side of the midline,” said McArthur, goaltender for the seventh-ranked Saxons (12-3-2, 9-0). “But I had to work today.”
That was because Schaumburg was facing third-ranked Hoffman Estates (11-3-1, 7-2). And on this day, as she has throughout Schaumburg’s undefeated run through its Mid-Suburban League South Division schedule, McArthur proved equal to the task as the Saxons prevailed 1-0.
McArthur made 10 saves. Jamie Adkins converted a penalty kick with 3:11 gone in the second half for the game’s lone goal.
Also starring defensively for the Saxons were fullbacks Shelly Macumber and Tracy Glexner.
Bolingbrook 4, Bloom Trail 1: Maryanne Mallon, Vita Jackson, Holly Kuhn and Jenielle George scored for Bolingbrook (5-6-4).
Cary-Grove 9, Woodstock 0: Candice Spiniolas had three goals and one assist, Kristy Sheahan scored two goals and had two assists and Jessica Moeller added two goals for Cary-Grove (11-1-1, 9-1) in the Fox Valley.
Farragut 7, Gage Park 0: Alejandra Villegas had a hat trick for Farragut (7-2-2).
Niles North 3, Warren 1: Darlene Abano, Aviva Lazar and Daryn David scored goals in the non-conference victory for Niles North (4-5-1).
St. Viator 4, Fenwick 1: Katie Pope scored twice for St. Viator (13-1).
Tilden 2, Washington 1: Monica Moskueda scored in the first half and Ruth Hurtado had the game-winning goal in the second half for Tilden (6-2-5).
Softball
GCAC Red Tournament: No. 7 Mother McAuley (23-2) defeated Queen of Peace 10-0 in a first-round matchup. Jenny Raftery struck out 10, and Kim Vale drove in two runs for the Mighty Macs.
Thornwood 11, Eisenhower 0: Katie Vinke tossed a one-hitter and Jenny Gricus and Roshelle Lee each went 2 for 3 for No. 5 Thornwood (21-4, 6-1) in the SICA East.
Volleyball
Oak Lawn d. Sandburg: Oak Lawn forged a tie for first in the SICA North with a 15-9, 15-12 upset of No. 8 Sandburg (20-5, 6-1). Mike Konicki led Oak Lawn (24-6, 6-1) with 15 kills and Wes Szyszka added 10 kills and six blocks.
Oak Lawn won the first game with a 12-6 run, but fell behind 7-1 to start game two before rallying to tie it at nine. The Spartans outscored the Eagles 6-3 the rest of the way.
“I thought that this was a very complete game, a very full game for us,” said Oak Lawn coach Jane Surma.
Glenbrook South d. Evanston: Eric Shoemaker slammed nine kills as top-ranked Glenbrook South (20-3, 7-0) triumphed 15-6, 15-5 in the Central Suburban South.
Wheaton North d. Oak Park: No. 2 Wheaton North (21-2-1) prevailed 15-0, 15-4 behind Tim Everswick (six blocks, 21 assists).
New Trier d. Maine East: No. 4 New Trier (22-3, 5-2) cruised in the Central Suburban South 15-8, 15-9 behind Phil Kerewich’s 10 kills and four service aces and Ben Wilson’s five blocks and 15 assists.
Waukegan d. Niles West: Jose Rivera and Kyle Stancil each posted nine kills as No. 6 Waukegan (23-3, 5-2) rebounded from a first-game loss in its 12-15, 15-2, 15-5 Central Suburban South win.
Fremd d. Maine South: Troy Weisgram led Fremd (14-6) to its 15-10, 15-13 non-conference victory with 12 kills.
Lyons d. St. Viator: Eric Pedersen had 10 kills and Dan Klokow added six spikes to lead St. Viator (6-15) to a 15-9, 15-9 victory over Lyons.
Stagg d. Richards: Kris Ames lofted 20 assists and powered three kills as Stagg (16-6, 4-2) prevailed 15-13, 15-5 in the SICA North.
Baseball
Morris 3, Plainfield 2: Ryan McCluckie scored the game-winner on a wild pitch in the eigthh for No. 2 Morris (23-0, 13-0) in the Little Seven.
De La Salle 7, St. Martin de Porres 5: De La Salle (12-14, 7-8) never trailed in its Catholic League victory as Jim Soukup pitched a two-hitter. Soukup (4-2) doubled and tripled and had two RBIs. Mike Cox recorded the save for the Meteors. Jason Judge added two hits.
