Wheaton Knights Girls Soccer Off to Great Start

Two victories in a season may not seem like an accomplishment to some teams.  Last year the two victories the Wheaton Knights girls soccer team won were more than they had won in the previous 3 seasons.  What the school saw in 2012 was been a promising influx of talent coming into the school in various sports.  Current Sophomores Nadja Amaguana, Demi Boumboulis and Melissa Sanchez gave the girls varsity team added skill last year that the team had been lacking which also complimented the talent they had. This year the school is seeing another rising crop of young stars but most of all something they've lacked in several years.  A true Goalie.  Freshman Kendra Clarke proved herself during the teams four scrimmages helping the team to a 2-2 finish.  Much of Wheaton's past teams had used converted field players or goalies that hadn't played in high competition. 

On Friday when the Knights were ready to take the field against Kennedy the butterflies of opening night for much of the team must have seemed more like giant Pterodactyl's.  One week prior Wheaton had beaten the Cavaliers in a physical 3-0 game.  The game had taken on all the hallmarks of a bitter rivalry.  Nothing had changed in the week since.

Both teams were evenly matched and neither team claimed an edge in the first half action.  The Cavs got a break around the 25 minute mark when Junior Forward Katherine Cruz broke into the clear for a shot from the left side which Wheaton Goalie Clarke covered.  The player followed up and kicked the ball from under the goalie setting it free.  Clarke tried to scramble back for the ball but it was easily popped into the net.  That would be the last goal Clarke would yield making 9 saves on 13 shots on the night.  The Knights continued to press but could not answer with a score before the end of the half.

Only 6 minutes into the second half the Knights got their first opportunity.  A Wheaton player was pushed inside the Kennedy box, setting up a PK.  Nadja Amaguana took aim and hit a low shot into the left corner.  Cavalier Junior Goalie Laura Perez played the ball correctly diving for the strike but couldn't get to it in time, just barely making it beyond her out stretched hands. 

The 1-1 tie would be short lived.  Only 1 1/2 minutes later a shot from Wheaton went passed the Kennedy touch line.  The referee called that the ball had grazed a Kennedy player.  Knight's Senior Forward Meghan Culkin took the corner kick and dropped it dead center in the box.  Once again it was Nadja Amaguana breaking through the defense and "one touched" the ball in the net. 

The Knights held on for the remaining 30 minutes to record their first opening day victory in recent memory, 2-1.  The Knights next play at Springbrook Tuesday, September 10th at 7pm.