Girls Soccer: Romeoville Blanks Eisenhower, Wins Fourth Straight

The Romeoville High School girls soccer team dominated in the time of possession column Monday night en route to another win, but like all good coaches, Adele Wallace wanted more from her team.

“Well, we didn’t finish.  That’s why we didn’t get more goals, but that’s one thing we need to work on, finishing more," the Romeoville coach said. "But we were pressing the ball and keeping the ball down on their half."

The Spartans had plenty of opportunities to score but were happy to come away with a 2-0 win over a struggling Eisenhower team. 

Jessica Kurczaba struck first for Romeoville, scoring on a breakaway after taking a pass from Vanessa Nyarko with 24:33 remaining in the first half. 

The Spartans had other chances to put the ball in the net during the opening half, but Vicky Arriola sailed two shots high and one that drilled the goalpost. Amara Markovic also had an open drive towards the Cardinal goal, but couldn’t get the shot off before the halftime buzzer sounded.

Romeoville also wasted several opportunities early in the second half, which could have put away the game for good.

Eisenhower Coach Cheryl Vacca said she liked how her team is coming along and  said the Cardinals' defense kept them in it.

“Our team is improving a little bit every game, we’re getting better and better with each game.  It’s just a matter of getting together with teamwork,” Vacca said. “I think we were clearing the ball well, that’s the main thing we were doing well.”

Eisenhower's best scoring chance came with 23:21 left in the game when Kassandra Lopez had a free kick from the sideline. Lopez sent the ball towards the goal but just missed over the top of the crossbar. 

A Romeoville goal with just more than a minute left—this one from Yasmine Canue, who took control of a loose ball near the Cardinal goal and sent it into the net—secured the victory for good.

The Spartans have won four out of its first five games this season—its only loss to Bolingbrook in the Spartans' season opener in the RomeoBrook Tournament—and Wallace said she has been pleased early on. 

“I think they are really working well as a team, they have a real good attitude, they are starting to feel where each other’s positions work best and they’re playing better as a team,” Wallace remarked. “ Right now we’re 4-1, so we’ve had a good start.”