Shutout streak intact
O’Connor and Sandburg’s ferocious defense posts ninth straight over Lockport
After her team’s ninth straight shutout, junior defender Erin O’Connor described Sandburg’s defense in a way that opponents so far this season likely would agree.
“I would say it’s almost like a brick wall,” O’Connor said. “I think we go full out to every ball 110% every single time, and I really enjoy that because I feel like the whole defensive line is giving that effort to keep the shutout going.”
Sandburg has still not allowed a goal this season. Emily Ibrahim and Rosie Richardson scored goals Thursday to push the Eagles to a 2-0 SouthWest Suburban Blue win over host Lockport.
Sandburg (9-0, 2-0) has outscored opponents 42-0.
O’Connor saw a special defense developing last spring before the season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The expected defensive starters then are all back this year — juniors O’Connor and Richardson, along with seniors Maddy Pertle and Shelby Fuller.
“Just in those three weeks of practicing last year, I was like, ‘Wow, we really have the potential,’ ” O’Connor said. “I knew we were going to be really good.
“So, this year, it’s the same four.
It’s our two outside backs’ last year.
We knew we had to come out and bring it this year.”
After starting as a freshman, O’Connor feels she has matured into a tougher, smarter player.
“I think I’ve just gotten more composed,” she said. “I’m able to control my emotions. I’m able to step to balls I wouldn’t have to stepped to freshman year.”
With six regular-season games left, Sandburg coach Tom Kubowicz said the team has talked about keeping the shutout streak intact the whole way.
“They take pride in this streak and they don’t want it to end,”
“I would say it’s almost like a brick wall,” O’Connor said. “I think we go full out to every ball 110% every single time, and I really enjoy that because I feel like the whole defensive line is giving that effort to keep the shutout going.”
Sandburg has still not allowed a goal this season. Emily Ibrahim and Rosie Richardson scored goals Thursday to push the Eagles to a 2-0 SouthWest Suburban Blue win over host Lockport.
Sandburg (9-0, 2-0) has outscored opponents 42-0.
O’Connor saw a special defense developing last spring before the season was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The expected defensive starters then are all back this year — juniors O’Connor and Richardson, along with seniors Maddy Pertle and Shelby Fuller.
“Just in those three weeks of practicing last year, I was like, ‘Wow, we really have the potential,’ ” O’Connor said. “I knew we were going to be really good.
“So, this year, it’s the same four.
It’s our two outside backs’ last year.
We knew we had to come out and bring it this year.”
After starting as a freshman, O’Connor feels she has matured into a tougher, smarter player.
“I think I’ve just gotten more composed,” she said. “I’m able to control my emotions. I’m able to step to balls I wouldn’t have to stepped to freshman year.”
With six regular-season games left, Sandburg coach Tom Kubowicz said the team has talked about keeping the shutout streak intact the whole way.
“They take pride in this streak and they don’t want it to end,”
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