Radloff, West Chicago upend Wheaton North

Updated: March 28, 2011 9:38AM

You won't find Meagan Radloff's name on the list of top soccer players in the Chicago area.

But the West Chicago striker isn't bothered by that. Radloff, an Eastern Illinois recruit, is busy scoring goals like she has done so often over her four-year varsity career.

Radloff showcased her skills again Friday, scoring two goals and barely missing a third as the Wildcats upset previously unbeaten Wheaton North 3-2 in DuPage Valley Conference action at Rexilius Field in Wheaton.

"That was definitely one of the best games we've had," Radloff said. "For the four years I've been here we've never beaten Wheaton North, so we really wanted to get one win against them at least, so it's good that we finally did."

West Chicago (2-1, 1-0) utterly dominated play in the first half with its possession-oriented style. Midfielders Bianca Navejas, Jessica Quinn and Jenny Amaro were dominant and even Radloff did a great job of distributing when she wasn't running onto lead passes.

"It was really good, I thought, especially in the first half," Radloff said. "We just possessed it and got the through balls through the flat four. That's what we practice on, so was good to see that we did it in a game."

Radloff, who scored 26 times last year and has four goals so far this spring, struck first just 4:17 into the contest when she took a short pass from Amaro at the top of the penalty area and booted an 18-yard shot inside the right post.

The visitors extended the lead 10 minutes later on Radloff's second goal. This time it was a long lead pass up the right wing from Navejas which found Radloff on the run with a defender on her hip. Three dribbles and a sharp 20-yard shot later the ball was in the back of the net.

"That was just a great play overall and (Radloff) knows how to finish," Amaro said. "I really appreciate we have her as a team player. She basically knows what to do whenever she has the ball.

"She leads our team. Without her, I don't know how we would do it. Yeah, we have some good players but she just does incredible (things)."

Radloff nearly completed the hat trick with 12:08 left in the first half, ripping a 25-yard free kick off the crossbar. She also made a nifty move on the right endline and sent a cross in front to Andie Lazzerini, whose one-timer sailed high.

But Lazzerini made up for that by giving the Wildcats a 3-0 lead at the 34:37 mark of the second half. The sophomore got free on a breakaway, got around Wheaton North goalie Emily Barry 35 yards from the goal and then got the shot off while being pursued by two Falcons defenders.

Wheaton North (3-1, 1-1), which had scored 14 goals in its first three matches, started to play better after that and scored twice in the final minutes. Isabelle Santana broke the shutout bid by tallying with 4:25 left off a cross from Ashley Oltman and then Kate Wiegman tallied at the 1:22 mark on a rebound after West Chicago goalie Kelsey Myers knocked away a cross from Sidney Sharkey.

"We kind of got scared for a little bit," Radloff said. "We've just got to finish that at the end. We can't let that happen anymore."

Not if the Wildcats want to become more competitive in the top-heavy DVC.

"West Chicago is always overlooked," Radloff said. "We're working our way up. Hopefully West Chicago can get some recognition finally."

If it does, Radloff will be one of the main reasons why.

"The sweet thing about it is the reason you are in coaching is to find somebody who will listen to you and just kind of pay attention, and she's that," West Chicago coach Cesar Gomez said. "Whatever you ask of her, she will play and it's so much fun coaching her. She's going to give her all every game.

"Some people are good, but they want to be good on their own, meaning they don't need the coach's help. She just soaks in whatever we say to her. We will miss her leadership and the fun that she brings."

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