Senior midfielder Viviana Corona maintained her sense of urgency for Marist.
It’s always a little bit tougher on the psyche when a soccer player hasn’t scored that first goal of the season yet. It’s something that can cause a pause, but that’s not Corona style.
Her initial instinct? Always attack, on defense or offense.
“The ball got passed back to me and I just knew the right thing to do was to keep going,” she said. “There were two defenders in front, but it worked out because I created a shot off the corner.”
Corona cornered the market Monday for her first goal of the spring, powering the visiting RedHawks to a 3-0 nonconference victory over neighborhood rival Mother McAuley in Chicago.
Corona also set up a goal goal by junior forward Mia Sherry in the 73rd minute off a corner kick for Marist (8-1-1), which beat McAuley 2-1 in overtime on March 21 in the Windy City Ram Classic.
Senior goalkeeper Lucy Gray made nine saves for the Mighty Macs (8-5-1).
Corona broke the game open with her goal in the 42nd minute after neither team generated a shot during the first half. Her assist on Sherry’s goal basically sealed the deal.
“She’s a really hard worker and has a really good kick,” Sherry said of Corona. “She brought so much energy to the field. Once we scored that first goal, it brought our dynamic up.
“We just wanted to keep scoring.”
Most significantly, Corona also helped set the stage for the return of senior midfielder Hannah McNeela, her best friend who scored in the 47th minute.
It was McNeela’s first game after missing nearly two full years with a torn ACL and a foot injury.
“I love the dynamic of playing with her in the middle,” McNeela said of Corona. “She’s one of the strongest players on the team and keeps everybody really excited all of the time.
“Vivi’s hilarious — one of the funniest people I know. She always finds the positive in things.”
Corona felt an almost electric surge at seeing McNeela on the field again.
“It was so exciting seeing Hannah play with me, especially starting after being out for so long,” Corona said. “I feel so proud of her after everything she has gone through.”
A four-year starter, Corona is a holding midfielder, a defensive-oriented position that acts as a connective thread between the offensive attack and the back line.
Corona feels very empowered by the role and her two-way play. She was part of the defensive efforts to slow down McAuley’s Calli Edwards, a high-scoring senior forward.
“I love having the ability to see the whole field,” Corona said. “I feel like I have more perspective in the middle. I get to see the forwards or push back and defend. There are many different points of view.”
She’s also the kicking specialist for Marist who takes all the corner kicks and free kicks. Her accuracy and touch is a crucial part of the set pieces run by the RedHawks.
Growing up in Mount Greenwood, Corona began playing in recreational youth leagues.
“I had some family that played soccer, but it was really high school that I fell in love with the sport,” she said. “I love the competition.”
The game opens up all stages of her personal expression, and being able to showcase different sides animates her manner. Playing acoustic guitar is her favorite activity outside of the game.
“I’ve always played different musical instruments, but as I got older, I stuck with the guitar,” she said. “It’s just something I do for myself, and I try to bring the same flair.
“Soccer is really personal and it’s something I’m passionate about.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
