Girls Soccer: Sophomore Erika Smiley’s first high school goal helps send Oswego East to crosstown win

OSWEGO – Sophomore forward Erika Smiley waited a long time to play her first high school soccer game for Oswego East. After missing out on last season, Smiley has been eager to show what she can do.

“It stunk that last year got canceled, but that made this season even more exciting, so it’s OK now,” Smiley said. “It’s been so exciting getting out here and playing with this team. Getting to play Oswego in our second game, we were super excited for it.”

Smiley made her first game against the crosstown rival a memorable one Monday, scoring her first high school goal as the host Wolves topped Oswego 3-1 in a Southwest Prairie Conference game.

“We all played together as a team, so it was nice to get that win,” Smiley said. “I like the friendships and relationships I have with all the girls. Every single time we play and practice, we’re all supporting each other, so it’s fun.”

Oswego East (2-0, 2-0) and the Panthers (1-1, 1-1) were locked in a scoreless game for over 60 minutes before Smiley broke through.

After a scramble in the Wolves’ offensive third, Oswego East senior Alex McPhee chased down the loose ball and played a quick pass to Smiley at the top of the box on the left side of the field.

Smiley tucked a shot inside the far post to give the Wolves the lead.

“I’m really good friends with (McPhee) and we practice that stuff all the time,” Smiley said. “So, to actually do it and finish in a game was so fun, especially since it was the first goal of the game.

“We got a lot of momentum. The same thing happened against Joliet West (a 7-0 win in Thursday’s season opener). We just got the first one and kept going.”

McPhee’s crossing skills came in handy again on the second goal as her dangerous corner kick led to an own goal to make it 2-0 with 22 minutes, 24 seconds to go.

Junior Chloe Noon extended the lead to 3-0 when she intercepted a pass and blasted a high shot from 30 yards into the back of the net with 16:32 left.

“I did a little fake move in the middle and I hit it with my right foot,” Noon said. “I feel most comfortable from far out because I know I have a big shot and I can hit those balls over the keeper.

“It was awesome. I felt like after that goal, we really locked it in and solidified it. We just had to keep our composure from there on the defensive end.”

Sophomore Anna Johnson broke the shutout for Oswego, heading in Sarah Epstein’s cross with 10:42 to go, but that was as close as the Panthers got.

Margaret Leger made eight saves for Oswego.

“We basically controlled the game, but when they had those couple chances, they took them,” Oswego coach Gaspar Arias said. “We gave them one with the own goal. We just didn’t finish our chances. These girls are pretty young and it’s going to take us a bit to get into a rhythm, but we’ll get there.”