Girls Soccer: Teagen Eberle’s goal good enough for Schaumburg win

Updated: April 4, 2012 8:40PM

In a showdown between powerhouse programs, one or two plays is likely to make the difference. Schaumburg seized its best opportunity and never looked back.

Utilizing the open space created by teammates, sophomore forward Alexa Ben found senior midfielder Teagan Eberle, who drilled a left-footer from about 16 yards out in the 27th minute of the first half that carried the No. 7 Saxons past No. 4 Naperville Central 1-0 in the marquee game of the St. Charles East tournament Wednesday.

“I got a great pass from Alex, and I was able to just pop the ball,” Eberle said. “It was great to have the momentum like that, especially because we didn’t have the second half that I would have liked.”

Keeper Brooke Shocker and a stellar defense took care of the rest for the Saxons (7-0). Shocker recorded seven saves in posting her fifth shutout of the year. She made a brilliant diving stop off a free kick from 14 yards out by Redhawks senior midfielder Meredith McEniff in the 22nd minute of the second half.

Shocker also speared a flicked ball off a corner in the first half and made a couple of aggressive plays outside of the net, blocking balls.

“We had great communication out there with my defense and backline,” Shocker said. “I listened to them, like when to come out. There were a couple of times I wasn’t sure if it was the right move, but I did and it turned out it was the right choice.

“You have to trust your teammates.”

Schaumburg coach Greg Charvat praised the collaboration of his two players. “We did a great job of capitalizing on our one great scoring opportunity,” he said.

Ben impacted the game in multiple ways, Naperville Central coach Ed Watson said. “The best player on the field didn’t play for us,” he said. ‘‘[Eberle] made a great shot, above the keeper and below the bar, but Ben was the difference in the game.

“We didn’t have anybody like her to create scoring opportunities.”

Ben’s aggressive, attacking mode of play continually put the Redhawks on the defensive in the first half as Schaumburg enjoyed ball possession throughout the first half. Ben’s drive and kick to Eberle put a strain on the Redhawks’ perimeter they could not counter.

Watson carefully apportioned first-half playing time after his team was involved in a double-overtime 1-0 win over Glenbard East the game before. “It was a little risky but it forced kids that played a lot last night to get some rest in the first half,” he said.

Playing with the wind in the second half, the Redhawks (6-1) controlled the ball and applied tremendous pressure against the Saxons. Shocker simply did not yield. “We had some opportunities, not a lot, to score, but offensively, we just were not sharp,” Watson said.

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