Unlike the big boxing match in Las Vegas over the weekend between Oscar De La Hoya and Floyd Mayweather, there was no split decision victory for either the OPRF or Fenwick girls soccer teams when they met last week. So while “Pretty Boy” Floyd was assuredly basking in the glory of his newly acquired junior middleweight championship belt, the Huskies and Friars conversely left matters unsettled, duking it out on the soccer field to the scorecard of a 0-0 tie.
The winner would have received a traveling trophy that goes to the victorious team for the boys game in the fall and the girls game in the spring. Although the trophy remains unclaimed, a likely rematch between OPRF and Fenwick in the semifinals of the Lyons Township Sectional will provide another chance for the rivals to claim the coveted trophy along with neighborhood bragging rights.
“It was a fun game to watch,” Fenwick coach Chris Richter said. “Two cross-town rivals and potential sectional opponents just going at it for 80 minutes. I thought both teams played very well.”
The host Huskies (8-5-2) generated some scoring chances but could not find the back of the net against Fenwick. McKenzie Kula, who leads OPRF with 16 goals on the season, fired six shots on goal, while Colleen Harmon and Casey Blaha each had three shots on Friars goalie Angela Righeimer.
“We came to play with a lot of intensity and pride,” OPRF coach Paul Wright said. “Every game has been an improvement for us. We are growing with a young team. By far, this was our best game of the year. The girls were having some fun out there.”
OPRF goalkeeper Kelsey Rosenquist had 12 saves. Huskies defenders Kate Hennig, Rachel Foran, Marja Anton and Michele Carter also played well in holding Fenwick scoreless.
“We were thinking about the [Fenwick] game the whole season,” OPRF midfielder Alison Colucci said. “It’s something special-a game that we want to win to show who we are. Our goals for the rest of the season are pressure, communication and working together as a team.”
For the Huskies to capture a sectional title, they also will likely have to knock off Lyons Township in addition to Fenwick.
LT, which has knocked out the Huskies in the sectional finals the last four seasons, defeated OPRF 3-0 during a conference game this season.
As for the Friars (5-3-5), they also hope to gain momentum with a strong stretch run in preparation for the playoffs. Fenwick, which has outscored its opponents 21-10 on the year, relies upon the steady play of goalkeeper Angela Righeimer and a versatile, deep defensive backfield featuring senior co-captain Catherine Maloney, Ellie Galvin, Janie Tedesco, Serafina Nuzzo and Laura Yeager. Defensively, the Friars have five shutouts in 12 games.
Candace Ruff (five goals on season) and Erin Tedesco (four goals) lead a balanced offensive attack for the Friars.
“I think we have a lot of talent and we’re doing new things toward building for a strong finish,” Righeimer said. “We have a strong defense and midfield. As long as those are together, everything else will fall into place.”
Two days after their tie with OPRF, the Friars posted a 3-1 win over Mother McAuley at the St. Ignatius tournament. Erin Tedesco, Roxy Cordt and Ruff scored goals to help the Friars advance to the tournament title game, which will be played Thursday against Loyola at Triton College (4:30 p.m.). On Saturday, the Friars take on Trinity at Triton for Senior Day (Noon).
The Huskies, who went 12-12-2 last season and earned a regional championship, visit St. Ignatius on Thursday (4:30 p.m.).
Wright is excited about the possibility of playing Fenwick in the postseason, but offers no disclosure about the Huskies’ plan of attack.
“We have our eyes set on the sectional,” Wright said. “I’m not saying what we could have done better against Fenwick in the [0-0] game because we will see them again.”