Warriors master math of least resistance

AURORA -- Several significant numbers sprung from the Waubonsie Valley soccer field Thursday night.

Numbers like 50 - as in the Warriors extending their unbeaten streak to 50 games (48-0-2). Or three - as in the Warriors securing three consecutive Upstate Eight Conference titles for the first time. Or two - as in the Warriors completing two unbeaten regular seasons in a row.

But the most significant of all the numbers may be 1,249 - as in the Warriors going 1,249 minutes without allowing a goal until St. Charles East forward Ellen Bartindale scored Thursday.

Still, it's likely the Warriors are thinking the most important number really was the final score, 2-1 - as in a 2-1 victory over the visiting Saints. Waubonsie (18-0-1, 10-0 UEC) got first-half goals from Rachel Bostick and Megan Green, then held on for the final 34 minutes after Bartindale's goal.

"It kind of hurts," Waubonsie goalie Claire Hanold said of giving up her first goal in 16 games and fourth of the season. "After they scored we played scared. We'll definitely take a positive from it that we have to constantly play defense and learn from our mistakes."

Hanold earned redemption in the 76th minute, making a diving save to preserve the win. Bartindale took a pass from Kari Nitti and moved down the right side before ripping a shot to the near post from 15 yards.

The way the first half went, it was surprising Hanold would be needed to make a key save in the closing minutes. Yet the Saints (10-7-1. 6-3-1), who were coming off a 2-0 loss to Neuqua Valley on Tuesday, continued battling despite being down 2-0 at halftime.

Bostick put the Warriors ahead in the fourth minute on a play started with a Bri Rodriguez free kick from 25 yards. The ball carried into the goal area where Bostick headed it past Zoie Samaan, who finished with six saves.

Green gave Waubonsie its two-goal lead in the 34th minute, getting an assist from Jessica Blake. Rodriguez started that play, too, with a long run before dishing the ball to Blake, who moved it farther down to Green.

But Bartindale got the Saints back into in the 46th minute, scoring on a header after Kerry Savage worked the ball down the right side.

"We walked out of here last time after having our heads handed to us," Saints coach Pat Feulner said of last season's 4-0 loss at Waubonsie. "So this was a heck of a lot better than that. We had them on the ropes."

The Warriors open defense of their Class AA state championship Wednesday in the Plainfield North Regional.