Bolts Charged Up for 2025 Season

Andrew's Paige Swaw (19) shoots the ball against Willowbrook in the Bolts' opening game of the 2025 season, Villa Park, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com

As if the start of any soccer season lacks excitement, the Windy City Classic gives teams a little extra adrenaline boost. Andrew kicked off its WCC tournament by traveling to Villa Park to play Willowbrook.

A warm early evening start saw both teams moving the ball and getting a feel for the speed of their opponent and the spacing of teammates.

Andrew's Emily Crotty (3) passes the ball as the Bolts play Willowbrook, Villa Park, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com

Andrew's Emily Crotty soon settled in and began working the ball to her teammates and making runs to challenge the defense. Her controlled movement and smooth passes kept the ball in the offensive end of the field.

Andrew's Paige Swaw (19) moves the ball past the Willowbrook keeper, Villa Park, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com

Paige Swaw was on the receiving end of some of the passes and had a couple of good scoring chances.

About the mid point of the first half, Crotty found the space to score on a right-footed shot.

Andrew's Emily Crotty (3) powers this shot into the back of the net as the Bolts play Willowbrook, Villa Park, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com

Along with Crotty, Maxine Arvanetes ranged from the frontline back to the midfield to maintain possession and create scoring chances.

Andrew's Maxine Arvanetes (2) controls the ball in the midfield as the Bolts play Willowbrook, Villa Park, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com

The Bolts patiently possessed the ball working the ball outside and slotting through balls up the middle.

Andrew's Emily Crotty, left, scores and gets some congratulations from Grace McGlynn, Villa Park, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com

The Bolts' backline provided support for the mids when it was needed.

Andrew's Kaitlyn Gudyka (11) traps a long Willowbrook pass, Villa Park, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com

Andrew had a comfortable lead at half as they seemed to get every 50-50 ball.

Andrew's Emily Crotty plays a long ball out of the air to get the Bolts back on the attack as they play Willowbrook , Villa Park, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com

The Bolts added to the score early in the second half, as they finished off the Warriors.

Andrew's Paige Swaw (19), Grace McGlynn (17), and Maxine Arvanetes (2) celebrate a T-bolts' goal against Willowbrook, Villa Park, Illinois. | Allen Cunningham FiveStarFrames.com

Next up Andrew plays Joliet West.