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Girls Soccer: Carmel’s Orth records hat trick in win over Fenwick
Carmel's Ashley Orth (No. 22) is congratulated by a couple of teammates after scoring a goal in Monday's 4-0 win over visiting Fenwick. She finished with a hat trick. | Michelle LaVigne~Sun-Times Media
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Updated: May 28, 2012 8:28AM
They came in together, and they want to depart with something of significance left behind.
Their names are Ashley Orth, Shannon Jung, Caitlin Jung, Sarah McHugh and Maggie Karich — and they represent the Carmel girls soccer team’s Class of 2012. As juniors in 2011, they helped Carmel finish second in the East Suburban Catholic Conference, a meager half-game behind champion Fenwick.
Now, in the stretch run of their final season, they have the opportunity to achieve something they’ve wanted since they were freshman.
“Win conference,” said Orth, a forward. “We want to go out with (a championship).”
The Corsairs (9-2-1 overall, 4-0-1 conference) took another stop toward that goal on Monday, easily beating Fenwick 4-0 at home. Orth was outstanding, scoring three goals — including two in the final 15 minutes — as Carmel pulled away from the outmanned Friars.
With a week off between games, Carmel took advantage of the extra practice time and worked on their attack, focusing more on ball movement and multiple touches.
“If we can get more touches, it forces the defense to react, which creates lanes for us,” said Carmel coach John Halloran. “We’ve been working on it a lot.”
It paid off against Fenwick, as the Corsairs were able to create chance after chance in the goalie box.
In playing club soccer the last two years for GLSA (Greater Libertyville Soccer Association), Orth refined her skills. Always a playmaker, she learned to be more patient and wait for scoring situations to develop, rather than push the attack on her own.
“I’m sharing more,” said Orth, who’s second on the team in goals this year with five. “Before, I would just make runs, but now I understand what my teammates are doing.”
And five seniors — Karich, McHugh, Orth and the Jung sisters — want to leave the same footprint: conference champion.
Recap: Monday’s win over Fenwick set up a match with undefeated Nazareth on Saturday for the conference lead.
“I guess the conference championship goes through La Grange,” Halloran said.
Carmel shut out Mundelein 3-0 on April 16.
The Corsairs appear to be peaking at the right time. A balanced scoring attack is led by Meegan Johnston and Bri Carlson, with six goals each.
Northern Iowa-bound McHugh continues her stellar play, winning balls in the air and clearing the line from her position as field general of the defense.
“She’s a vocal leader, but in a good way. The kids respect her — she’s put the time in,” Halloran said. “She’s matured into her role.”
Nazareth is coming off a 3-3 tie with Benet, a team Carmel beat 2-1 earlier in the season.
“We have to play our game,” Halloran said regarding his team’s showdown with Nazareth. “We play a very non-traditional style — tight in the back — and look to find counters.”
Off the notepad: The Corsairs played with backup goalie Jenna Bauer on the field Monday. Starter Katie Larson is battling a head injury, but she hopes to play on Saturday.
On the schedule: Carmel visits Nazareth at noon Saturday.
