Women’s First Team Snags UWS Conference Title with 4-1 Win Against Crystal Lake Force

Andi Revesz
Jun 29
4 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

The Edgewater Castle Women’s First team defeated Crystal Lake Force for the second time this season Saturday afternoon in a 4-1 win, holding their undefeated reign, winning the conference regular season title and claiming a home game in the United Women's Soccer League Midwest Conference.

The ECFC Women's First Team celebrates after a goal. (Photo: Nicholas Balabanoff)

Goals:

ECFC: Hamm 8’, Egan 53’, Stephens 57’, Stephens 82’

CLF: Collins 15’

First Half

Crystal Lake took the first shot on target of the match in the third minute, caught by ECFC’s goalkeeper Cynthia Waller in her debut match. Closing out the third minute, Crystal Lake took a corner kick, deflected by Skyler Beirker in the penalty zone.

Kily Egan took a corner kick in the seventh minute, which was hit out of the zone by a Crystal Lake defender. Following a Crystal Lake foul in the eighth minute, Lauren Hall took a free kick and passed to Kelsey Hamm. Her shot from the left side arched right into the right side of the net, giving the Rooks a 1-0 lead.

Kelsey Hamm kicks the ball past a Crystal Lake Force player. (Photo: Nicholas Balabanoff)

Following dominant ball control from the Rooks with a save, shot and corner kick, Waller crept out of the box to attempt to save Crystal Lake’s Kelly Collins’ shot. Waller lost control of the ball and left an open net for Collins to score the first Crystal Lake goal, tying the match 1-1 in the 15th minute.

Crystal Lake’s goalkeeper stopped a shot from Katharine Stephens, resulting in another corner kick shot by Egan. In the 21st minute, Danielle Boudahk received a yellow card after a physical battle down the sidelines and a disagreement with the referee.

Crystal Lake maintained possession and took multiple off-target shots. The Rooks were able to keep up with the Force with attempts of their own.

After a water break halfway through the first half, the Rooks picked up momentum and gained control, but were still frustrated by Crystal Lake’s press, waiting for the Rooks to make a mistake.

With four minutes of uneventful extra time, the teams went into halftime tied at one.

Jocelyn Leigh sends the ball over the middle, past a Crystal Lake Force defender. (Photo: Nicholas Balabanoff)

Second Half

The Rooks opened the second half with possession, where a cross from Joceyln Leigh found an open area of no players. A shot from Stephens near the middle left side of the box went into the net, but was called off due to a foul called on Leigh.

A Rooks corner kick in the 48th minute was headed away and over the net, resulting in another corner kick. Emily Olsen took a free kick from the top of the penalty box in the 49th minute and went under the wall of defenders, who didn’t jump and blocked the shot.

Olsen took another free kick, this time farther back. Crystal Lake’s goalkeeper deflected the shot, causing it to go over the net for another Rooks corner kick.

In the 53rd minute, Egan received a pass from Scout Murray on the right side of the field. While Stephens was in front of the net, Egan’s shot sailed into the left back corner off the crossbar, giving the Rooks a 2-1 advantage.

Kily Egan fights past a Crystal Lake Force player. (Photo: Nicholas Balabanoff)

To close out the 56th minute, Egan took another corner kick for the Rooks. After several attempts by Edgewater to score and Crystal Lake to clear, Stephens found a clearing and shot the ball into the back of the net. The Rooks took a 3-1 lead with Stephens’ fourth goal of the season.

In the 62nd minute, Stephens and Leigh each had a shot attempt saved by the Force’s keeper. To finish out the minute, Murray’s shot was again deflected by the goalkeeper, going over the net and out of bounds for a Rooks corner kick.

The Rooks continued to dominate in the second half with multiple shots. In the middle of the 82nd minute, Bella Sescniak threw in the ball to Cam Sengstock. After a brief tussle, Stephens found an opening in the net and, at the top of the box, scored her second goal of the match. Her goal gave the Rooks a 4-1 lead and the win.

Katharine Stephens takes a shot. (Photo: Nicholas Balabanoff)

With their 7-0-0 record, the Women’s First Team claimed the regular season title of the UWS Midwest Conference. At the conclusion of the regular season, the Rooks will host the Divisional Final Saturday, July 12th.

The women’s first team head out on the road for their next match against Indiana United, who they defeated 4-1 at the beginning of the season. Kickoff is scheduled for July 2nd at 6 p.m. at Dowling Park in Hammond, Indiana.