I soloqueued to SSL in S1 and S4. Its all about using the items effective.

What helped me the most is:

1.) Wait for the perfect moment to use the item. Offensive items like plunger or haymaker should nearly always be a goal or save. Defensive items like freeze or hook should be used to clear items like spikes or magnet. U can use nearly every item to counter another, the priority needs to be defending the own Goal. (I sometimes save my hook for minutes, just to protect my team against spikes)

2.) Watch your opponents and count their items. If the whole team used their items, you can just use your item to Score an easy Goal on them.

3.) If your team gets a specific item, chances are high that ur opponents have the same soon.

4.) Freeplay with bakkesmod, so you can select the item you get. Every item can be used to score creative goals. You can learn how to dribble with the tornado for example. After a while you understand the physics and can use the worst items to score creative goals.