Girls Soccer: Sluggish Glenbrook South offense puts pressure on defense

Updated: April 10, 2012 7:04PM

Senior Keeley Nolan can define pressure.

That’s when your team scores just 12 goals in nine games, and you play on defense.

It’s up to Nolan and her defensive linemates to keep Glenbrook South in games, and so far they’ve helped the Titans get off to a 3-2-4 start.

Scoring was a problem a year ago, and those struggles have continued into this season. Eight of the team’s goals have come in two matches.

“It’s like a broken record,” coach Seong Ha said. “We have the opportunities, but we are not cashing in.”

Glenbrook South took 23 shots in a 1-all tie Saturday with Warren.

“We had plenty of breakaway opportunities, but we couldn’t execute and couldn’t finish,” Ha said. “The girls are trying to keep their spirits up, but they know they are snake-bitten right now. I can’t see this lasting forever, given the laws of probability.

“It’s been tough on our defense,” Ha said. “They can’t really give up more than a goal right now for us to win.”

Nolan, a four-year varsity veteran, is directing a unit that features two sophomores and a junior.

“She runs the show back there,” the coach said. “She leads by example and is definitive in her decision-making. We’ve had great field marks in the past, and she’s filling in that role this year.”

Junior Ally Wojick and sophomores Taylor Fuderer and Madison Krug also have anchored the last line of defense.

“As young as we are back there, I’m surprised how well we’ve handled all of this,” said Ha, whose team had allowed only five goals through nine games.

Glenbrook South was scheduled to start the Pepsi Showdown on Tuesday against Lake Zurich. The winner plays today (Thursday). Action continues Saturday at Schaumburg’s Olympic Park.

The Titans reached the tournament semifinals each of the last two seasons.

“It’s like a state tournament, and we want to play with that same sense of urgency,” Ha said. “Hopefully, things turn around quickly for us.”

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