University School Girls Soccer Wins in Eastside Cup Tourney Consolation Game

The University School girls’ soccer team defeated Port Washington 2-0 Saturday morning to take third place in the Eastside Cup tournament held at Shorewood High School.

Things were far different for the Wildcats than they had been the previous night when USM lost to Nicolet in the tournament’s opening round.  Although the morning was a bit moist, Saturday’s game was not played in the hard driving rain that the skies unloaded on the teams Friday night. Also, USM coach Jason Rienzi said, “We played far better soccer than we did last night.”  Referring to soccer skills that lead to success such as tight marking, constant communication, movement off the ball, and ball support, Rienzi added, “It’s a simple game, really, if you do the little things right.  Today we took care of the details.”

The details led to USM’s first goal early in the game.  Senior midfielder Elena Noyes one-touched a short pass to the sideline to her classmate forward Paige Costakos.  Costakos smartly let the ball run past her then hustled to get it.  As a Port Washington defender approached, Costakos leaned in, spun past, and sped into the penalty area.  The defender tripped her, and Costakos was awarded a penalty kick.  As cool as a morning breeze, Costakos stepped to the line and crisply drilled a low shot past Port Washington’s sophomore goalie Hayley Seitz at 4:46.

USM scored its second goal later in the first half.  Costakos moved the ball down the right side and forwarded it to freshman Amber Baker who was making a diagonal run to space.  Baker collected the ball deep in the Port Washington end and turned and gunned a shot toward the net.  It hit Seitz’s hands and rolled off toward the net.  Alertly, Noyes was heading to net and she tapped the ball across the goal line at 9:31.

There was no more scoring, but Wildcats kept the pressure on the Pirates throughout the remainder of the game.  “We could have scored a few more,” said Rienzi, “but we played good soccer.  We’re looking a lot better as a team.”

In the game Seitz made nine saves.  USM’s freshman goalkeeper Abby Wigdale made two saves and recorded her first varsity shutout.

Port Washington’s record fell to 2-4 with the loss.  USM’s record is now 4-3.  The Wildcats play again at 4:30 p.m. on Monday when Kenosha Christian Life comes to USM for a non-conference game.