York continues win streak

Updated: May 12, 2011 10:17PM

York got off to an unexpectedly slow start this season, but those struggles have long since disappeared in the rearview mirror.

The Dukes are rolling into the playoffs on a seven-game winning streak after knocking off visiting Downers South 4-1 Thursday night in a battle of conference champions in Elmhurst. York (17-4-1), which upset Lyons 3-2 in double overtime Tuesday to win its second straight West Suburban Silver title, has now won 14 of its last 15 matches.

“We started off a little slow, but once we started playing as a team and getting our stuff together, working hard at practice, everything just clicked,” York senior midfielder Danielle Vujovic said. “I think our whole mental game was a lot stronger coming into all these games. It helped us perform better.”

West Suburban Gold champion Downers South (17-3-1) had won its last six games and 12 of 13. Despite resting four starters, including Eastern Illinois-bound forward Keri Kujawa, the Mustangs struck first when Jessica Bronke headed home a corner kick from Megan Martin at the 27:12 mark of the first half.

But Vujovic got the equalizer 2:03 later when her 32-yard free kick was too hot for Downers South goalie Amanda Meyers to handle.

Meyers was replaced four minutes later by freshman backup Katelyn Laraia, who didn’t fare much better against Vujovic’s strong leg. Vujovic drilled a 35-yard free kick toward the same spot as her first goal. Laraia dove to save it but gave up a rebound and Angela Bianchi pounced on it to put the Dukes ahead 2-1 with 11:22 remaining in the opening period.

“She has an awesome kick,” Bianchi said of Vujovic. “Her free kicks have always been awesome, but today they showed how awesome they are and she just dominates the middle.”

Downers South coach Barry Jacobson, whose team actually controlled the play for long stretches and outshot the Dukes 12-7 in the first half but blew two wide-open shots, had a different view.

“(The Dukes) are all right,” he said. “When you give them goals, when your goalie can’t stop a 40-yard shot, what do you expect? I thought it was one of the best games we’ve played. We had plenty of chances to score.”

York goalie Anna Bell Lansdowne made five saves in the first half to keep the Dukes in front and the hosts put the game away with two goals late in the second half. Christina Ordonez tallied her 20th goal of the season, taking a pass from Sarah Sassanelli and beating Laraia (seven saves) on a breakaway with 8:48 left. Sam Luke finished the scoring with 3:10 to go when she blasted a 35-yard shot under the crossbar.

“I think we played really well,” Bianchi said. “I think in the beginning (of the year) we were playing well, we just couldn’t get our shots off. Now our shots are finally going in and it’s showing.”

The Dukes are seeded third at their own Class 3A sectional but have beaten top-seeded Lyons and No. 2 seed Oak Park-River Forest.

“I’m very excited,” Vujovic said. “I think we can go very far if we keep this up.”

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