SOUTH HOLLAND | If the early bird gets the worm, the early goals in this game get the win.
Illiana Christian used two goals in the first 10 minutes of the match to gain a 2-0 victory over Beecher on Saturday afternoon at Paarlberg Park.
Emma Pawlowski and Kristen Corral each scored for the Vikings. Neither team was able to get much offense generated after the initial scoring, and the teams played the majority of the match to a draw.
"It wasn't a very pretty game," Illiana Christian coach AJ Turkstra said. "Not much possession went on today which is frustrating. We're happy to get the 2-0 victory."
Pawlowski gave the Vikings the early lead off a cross from Alex Clausing. Clausing was credited with the assist. Corral, a freshman standout, scored a minute later.
"Emma's goal motivated me," Corral said. "I just took the shot and it went in. We're bonding a lot and I think that helps anytime with your teammates when you know how they like to play."
Beecher (7-8) was without senior center midfielder Stephanie Hall, and it was an uphill battle the entire day for the Ladycats without the heart of their team.
"The first half we were adjusting," Beecher coach Dawn Compton said. "We had some people out of position and I think the second half we played a lot better."
Illiana Christian keeper Mallory Fulton finished with two saves in the match while Beecher keeper Roxanne Milan finished with four. The Vikings (12-3-1) continue their winning ways and Turkstra is liking what he sees out of his 2012 squad.
"We possess well in the midfield," Turkstra said. "We try to use the touch lines a lot and we try to use the width of the field a lot. That's what we tend to be good at."
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