WATERMAN - After being rained out on Wednesday, the Indian Creek girls soccer team was able to topple Hinckley-Big Rock 2-0.
Perhaps the rain was a blessing for the T-Wolves. Indian Creek (9-3-2) was supposed to have been finishing a stretch where they played three games in three days on Wednesday before a violent thunderstorm crashed the party.
T-wolves senior Olivia Muetze scored both of her team's goals in the second half en route to victory.
"We just talked over [halftime] about doing what we did in practice yesterday and keeping our intensity up," Muetze said. "We had a four-day break [from practice] because of our games Monday and Tuesday. ... They were a little rough. Having practice Thursday and this game before regionals is going to help us a lot."
Indian Creek will have five days to rest up and practice before they meet their first opponent in the Class 1A Aurora Central Catholic regional. T-wolves coach Scott McClure highlighted some points of emphasis for his bunch headed into the post-season.
"I think we are trying to be more aggressive with the ball," McClure said. "I want us to be a little more aggressive when we are attacking, playing defense trying to get the ball. Sometimes, the real good teams are good at using their bodies to shield the ball. We're trying to get that down and go into it with a little more intensity.
The Royals (1-8-4) had just 11 players in the game, but coach Kirsten Kubala said their scrapping nature and resolve kept them in the game for a majority of it.
Kubala noted the improvements that her team made in this contest from the last time these two rivals faced one another.
"The teamwork and communication improved," Kubala said. "We had no subs. Our last half of the season, we haven't had any subs except maybe one for any game. We have five people permanently injured the rest of the season. They've really hung in there. Our freshmen have been phenomenal, especially our goalie [Tanner Prellberg]. We have three people who haven't played before and they're starting. I am so proud of them."
By the numbers: The contest was shortened to 30-minute halves instead of the usual 45-minute halves because a large number of Royals players had to play in their ensemble for concert band.
Beyond the stats: Prellberg played a very nice game in net for the Royals. She also showcased that she has a mighty leg herself, flipping field position more than once. With the wind at her back, Prellberg sent a drop kick 10-12 yards over midfield on a fly, making the T-Wolves have to play back on their heels after she saved a shot.
They said it: "We just needed to focus on a couple different looks with the ball, try and work on quicker passing plays, in and through, try and work the outsides and work it back through," T-wolves coach Scott McClure said of high second half adjustments.
Up next: The Royals will play Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. against Stillman Valley in the Class 1A Oregon Regional. The T-Wolves will play the winner of Plano and Rosary in the Class 1A Aurora Central Catholic Regional, Wednesday at 4:30 p.m.