The Naperville North High School varsity girls soccer team opened their 2022 season by defeating Barrington High School on Monday. 

The Huskies (1-0) defeated the Broncos (0-1) with a final score of 2-0. 

The first half finished 0-0 after the Huskies battled through high pressure and an aggressive defense from Barrington. Despite this, the team stayed on offense, creating many opportunities on goal. The half came to a stark halt however, when a member of the Barrington team collided into the back of senior Lucy Iverson’s head. An ambulance was called for the Barrington player, while Iverson sat out the rest of the game. Head coach Steve Goletz explained how senior Peyton Hegner stepped up to the plate despite the injury.

“Lucy gets knocked out early, and Lucy is somebody we lean on so much in the back, and for Peyton to step in and do an unbelievable job defensively, but also score the first goal was special,” Goletz said.

The Huskies came out swinging in the second half, scoring their first goal, a header by Hagner, only a minute in. The team continued their strong half by pushing off Barrington’s defense and moving the ball swiftly on the field. The second goal scored by senior Olivia Anderson solidified the team’s win. Anderson discussed what surprised her about Barrington’s play and how the team persevered through.

“I think we were expecting a lot of what [Barrington] did, it just was their individual excellence that kind of put us into a shock, but we recovered well… and just continued to work hard,” Anderson said.

The team showed a strong connection throughout the game by constantly communicating with each other on and off the field. With 14 returning varsity members, the team is starting off their season with a strong bond. Hegner believes it is one of the reasons for the team’s success. 

“We are really close because it’s a lot of the same girls from last year [and] a lot of seniors, so we all know each other really well…Our connection [is] really strong and we play for each other,” Hegner said.

The strong start to the season made the team hopeful and excited for future games. Goletz talked about what they learned in this game for the rest of the season.

“To shutout a team like Barrington is a really good start to the season,” Goletz said. “I told them that win or lose [the game] doesn’t make our season. It gives us an idea of where we need to be to compete with some of the best teams in the state, but we can’t let our foot off the pedal.” 

The girls will play their next game against Downers Grove South on Saturday, March 19. Kickoff is scheduled for 12 p.m. at home.