The Providence girls soccer team was without the services of senior defender Brittany Ostrowski during Wednesday's match against Mother McAuley in New Lenox.
With Ostrowski sidelined with an injury, the Celtics turned to freshman Lauren Rasmussen. She was part of a defensive unit that was tested as the match wore on, but never budged, as the Celtics held on for a 1-0 victory.
"It was a good victory against a solid team with a lot of good players," Providence coach Dan Potempa said. "They're wel-coached and moved the ball well with good speed. So, to be able to take them 1-0, I'm really proud of my girls to be able to step up and do that."
Providence (2-1-1) scored the game-winner in the first half. Senior Chris Reed took a cross from Hannah Nichols, which wasn't handled by Mother McAuley goalie Steph Bert. Reed played the carom off of Bert and pounded it into the back of the net.
"The goalie kind of bobbled it and then it was to me," Reed said. "I just went in with my shoulder and was almost falling into the net. It was close."
Mother McAuley (0-3-0) had few opportunities in the opening half, but would turn up the intensity in the second half, which resulted in more chances in the final 40 minutes.
"I felt like we picked it up better in the second half, after doing little in the beginning," Mother McAuley sophomore midfielder/forward Cristina Sperando said. "It was just one of those days where we came here and weren't ready."
Sperando said the Mighty Macs battled Sandburg, last year's Class 3A state runner-up, in the season opener before falling 1-0 and hasn't played as well since.
"We were ready to play then, but weren't ready today," she said. "We should've had this one, but we just didn't finish."
The Celtics had a lot to do with Mother McAuley's inability to finish. Defenders Kelly Reed, Emily Persicketti, Claire Zeeman and Rasmussen all protected goalie Megan Hettinger, who posted the shutout.
"I think the whole defense worked as a unit to shut them down," Potempa said. "They had a couple good girls that did a good job and the girls did a good job of shutting them down."
The Celtics only had a handful of solid chances to add to their lead in the second half, including a shot from Chris Reed with 19:11 left that smacked off the right post.
"With Chris Reed on the field, there's always a chance for the Celtics," Potempa said. "I think McAuley had more opportunities than us and showed how dangerous they can be, but we got lucky in the first half, they made one mistake and we made them pay for it."
