Wheaton A. scores 12th-round knockout
GK Oster, F Lindquist star in 12-shooter tiebreaker, Warriors gain AA title berth
By Steve Nemeth
NAPERVILLE -- It was impossible not to sweat at the Class 2A state semifinal match between Wheaton Academy and Lemont, and that was not only because of the 84-degree temperature Friday at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium on the North Central College athletic campus.
After 80 minutes of regulation play and 20 more minutes of overtime, a tense 0-0 deadlock went to a shootout.
The initial set of five attempts produced a 3-3 draw. Although the second series was moved to a sudden-victory format, five more attempts by each side still could not break the tie, which then stood at 5-5.
Wheaton Academy finally gained the win with a 7-6 advantage when sophomore Sophia Lindquist accounted for her second goal of the tiebreaker with a definitive strike to her left as the 24th shooter.
Cue the celebration for the Warriors whose triumph advanced them to Saturday’s 1 p.m. championship match against Triad (21-6-0) and the potential to add to their own history as well as that of the IHSA.
Just a year ago, Rochester became the first program in the 28-year history of the girls state tournament to win back-to-back state titles in different classes. The Rockets were the 2015 Class A champions and in 2016 after jumping up a class captured the AA tournament.
Wheaton Academy lost a AA sectional final in 2015 but due to state enrollment numbers dropped to the small school class and took the crown. That win meant they were affected by the IHSA “success adjustment” process, which moved them up to the mid-size class. If the Warriors continue their winning ways with a win over a strong downstate program in Triad, it would be doubly historic.
Yes the Warriors would mirror Rochester’s achievement, however, they’d also became the first school to capture a pair of 2A titles since the three-class system began in 2009. Success on Saturday would mean the school’s fourth overall championship banner to join the commemorations for titles in 2004 (A), 2009 (AA), and last season (A).
On Friday, there were almost as many numbers to keep track of as there were potential heroines.
Rewind to the start of the initial set of the shootout. Lemont (20-2-4) shot first and the Warriors (21-5-0) followed throughout. Warrior goalie Marta Oster -- the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match -- blocked the first Indians attempt from 30-goal scorer Mairead Ruane. Wheaton Academy couldn't take advatage when Emmerson Fuller's shot hit the post.
Lemont’s Niamh Hehir scored to her right while Lindquist converted to the left. Then Indians sophomore Katrina Retzke had the misfortune to hit the crossbar before Maggie Liechty angled her shot under that crossbar into the top of the netting for a 2-1 Warriors lead.
After Lemont’s Carli Bermele converted only to have Izzy McNally do the same, the score stood 3-2 in Wheaton Academy's favor.
Jacqueline Aleman kept the Indians hopes alive going to her left. Lemont keeper Michelle Jerantowski’s new best friend, the crossbar, rejected Holland Kosiek’s tiebreaking attempt. The 3-3 tie necessitated “sudden victory” intensity with five new shooters ready to go to the spot for each side.
Michaela Egan managed to slip the ball just under Oster’s dive as Lemont fans exhaled. Gretchen Pearson went right with the fluidity of someone with a green arrow.
Next Wheaton Academy's Oster made a no-doubt-about-it block on Isabel Silvar, and the Indians were again on the verge of elimination. But Jerantowski’s crossbar buddy sent sophomore A.C. Hardy's follow-up try into the sky.
Oster stonewalled freshman Adriana Patino's shot, and her counterpart Jerantowski returned the favor on Anna Joy Setran's game-winning bid.
Lemont’s physical defender Sarah Knoepfle, who was dinged up in the game, limped to the line and shot wide left. That gave Wheaton Academy its third chance to punch its ticket to the final, however, Jerantowski came up big again with a save on freshman Emma Goebel.
Indians freshman Danielle Irwin followed with a conversion to the right that gave Lemont a 5-4 advantage, but sophomore Sara Brcka’s blast was strong enough to continue into the net despite contact from Jerantowski’s gloved hand.
For the third set of PKs, shooters from the first round were again available.
Lemont’s Ruane took a lead role again and converted.
“We practice PKs, and the coach decides the lineup,” the junior explained. “We had a shootout in Iowa (Tournament of Champions), and I went first there, so I was ready for this one. But I didn’t expect to lead off the third series. I try to zone everything out and simply make up my mind where I’ll blast it.”
When asked to weigh in on the eternal debate over shootouts deciding an outcome, Ruane was diplomatic.
“Right now, it’s not a good feeling,” she said with a head nod. “But the other team probably thinks it's great.”
After putting Wheaton Academy up 3-2, McNally had no qualms about facing the pressure of a must-score situation.
“It doesn’t matter what spot I am in the lineup, I was just determined we’d win,” McNally said. “I’ve done enough PKS that my approach depends on how I feel, or where I think the goalie will go. I was confident and saw a space and simply went for it. We needed to win since Marta saved so many to keep us in it.”
As was the case the first time, McNally parked her try to the right to extend the series.
On Lemont's 12th try, Nehir opted to go left, unlike her earlier right-side conversion, and the try curved wide of the post.
That’s when Lindquist came up with the finish of the match.
“I tried to do what I’ve practiced and practiced, keep my composure, get lined up. With Marta’s amazing saves in mind, I wanted it to be over,” Lindquist said.
So what were the initial feelings?
“Relieved, excited,” she said.
How about her keeper’s point of view?
“You watch how the shooter lines up, and you try to guess which way they’ll go. It’s basically a guessing game,” Oster admitted. “I don’t pay attention to which attempt we’re on, I simply try to react each time and stick my hand on it. It was a fun game.”
Both coaches accepted the outcome.
“I felt like the second half we locked them down and were in the final third knocking on the door enough to deserve a win,” Warriors coach Jeff Brooke said.
“Lemont’s built on a defensive formation that’s tough to break down. And when we did, credit their goalie or their center backs with some big plays.”
As the opening half ticked inside 15 minutes Wheaton Academy was denied on two prime opportunities. Pearson opened the second half with a blast from the left wing and minutes later Erin Teevans made a textbook cross only to have the Indian defense cut it off. With 26:48 to play, Lindquist rocked the crossbar. Four minutes later Pearson made a diagonal attack, and Jerantowski came up big.
Lindquist cranked another attempt off the crossbar at 7:40 and a follow-up header from the Warriors missed. After that, the Indians appeared eager for a potential shootout.
“As a team, we’re comfortable with our goalie, and she had four amazing saves otherwise we’d have lost in regulation,” Ruane noted.
“They were better than us in the run of play,” Lemont coach Rick Prangen acknowledged. “We’ve been a good defensive team all year, and Sarah (Knoepfle) shut down their top gun. We had zero corner kicks and that’s unusual for us. Not getting those hurt, but otherwise we had a good work rate.
“Late in the second half it seemed like they were just reloading, so I thought PKs at least gave us a chance,” Prangen said. “Ultimately they got their just desserts.”
Lemont's fifth state final appearance will not include a title once more. In 2009, Wheaton Academy posted a 3-0 win over Lemont in the championship. The next year the Indians gained a measure of revenge with a 2-0 triumph in the third place contest. Consolation matches in both 2013 and 2015 ended in fourth place showings.
Starting lineups
Wheaton Academy
GK Maria Oster
D Izzy McNally
D Anna Southard
D Emmerson Fuller
D Holland Kosiek
M Anna Joy Setran
M Maggie Liechty
M A.C. Hardy
F Gretchen Pearson
F Erin Teevans
F Sophia Lindquist
Lemont
GK Michelle Jerantowski
D Katrina Retzke
D Carli Bermele
D Leti Salazar
D Sarah Knoepfle
M Jacqueline Aleman
M Michaela Egan
M Danielle Irwin
M Adriana Patino
F Mairead Ruane
F Isabel Silvar
MVP of the Match: Marta Oster, jr., GK, Wheaton Academy
Officials: Michael Wilson (center); Mark Kener; Scott Taylor; 4th Scott Lichtfuss
Game summary
Wheaton Academy 0, Lemont 0 (WA wins PKs 7-6/12)
1st 2nd OT1 OT2 SH1 SH2 SH3 --- F Records
Wheaton A. 0 0 0 0 3 2 2 (7) --- 1 21-5-0
Lemont 0 0 0 0 3 2 1 (6) --- 0 20-2-4
Shots
WA 4 – 7 – 1 – 3 --- 15
L 2 – 3 – 0 – 0 --- 5
Shots on goal
WA 3 – 3 – 1 – 1 --- 8
L 0 – 1 – 0 – 0 --- 1
Corner kicks
WA 2 – 1 – 0 – 0 --- 3
L 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 --- 0
Saves (goalie)
WA (Oster) 0 – 1 – 0 – 0 --- 1
L (Jerantowski) 3 – 3 – 1 – 1 --- 8
Shootout series #1
Lemont vs. WA goalie Oster Wheaton Academy vs. L goalie Jerantowski
Mairead Ruane shot blocked Emmerson Fuller off right post
Niahm Hehir good inside right Sophia Lindquist good inside left
Katrina Retzke high off crossbar Maggie Liechty good under crossbar
Carli Bermele good inside left Izzy McNally good inside right
Jacqueline Aleman good inside left Holland Kosiek off crossbar and up
Shootout series #2
Michaela Egan good under goalie Gretchen Pearson good inside right
Isabel Silvar shot blocked A.C. Hardy glances off top of crossbar
Adriana Patino shot blocked Anna Joy Setran shot blocked
Sarah Knoepfle wide left Emma Goebel shot blocked
Danielle Irwin good inside left Sarah Brcka blast good to right
Shootout series #3
Mairead Ruane good inside left Izzy McNally good inside right
Niahm Hehir wide left Sophia Lindquist good inside left
GK Oster, F Lindquist star in 12-shooter tiebreaker, Warriors gain AA title berth
By Steve Nemeth
NAPERVILLE -- It was impossible not to sweat at the Class 2A state semifinal match between Wheaton Academy and Lemont, and that was not only because of the 84-degree temperature Friday at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium on the North Central College athletic campus.
After 80 minutes of regulation play and 20 more minutes of overtime, a tense 0-0 deadlock went to a shootout.
The initial set of five attempts produced a 3-3 draw. Although the second series was moved to a sudden-victory format, five more attempts by each side still could not break the tie, which then stood at 5-5.
Wheaton Academy finally gained the win with a 7-6 advantage when sophomore Sophia Lindquist accounted for her second goal of the tiebreaker with a definitive strike to her left as the 24th shooter.
Cue the celebration for the Warriors whose triumph advanced them to Saturday’s 1 p.m. championship match against Triad (21-6-0) and the potential to add to their own history as well as that of the IHSA.
Just a year ago, Rochester became the first program in the 28-year history of the girls state tournament to win back-to-back state titles in different classes. The Rockets were the 2015 Class A champions and in 2016 after jumping up a class captured the AA tournament.
Wheaton Academy lost a AA sectional final in 2015 but due to state enrollment numbers dropped to the small school class and took the crown. That win meant they were affected by the IHSA “success adjustment” process, which moved them up to the mid-size class. If the Warriors continue their winning ways with a win over a strong downstate program in Triad, it would be doubly historic.
Yes the Warriors would mirror Rochester’s achievement, however, they’d also became the first school to capture a pair of 2A titles since the three-class system began in 2009. Success on Saturday would mean the school’s fourth overall championship banner to join the commemorations for titles in 2004 (A), 2009 (AA), and last season (A).
On Friday, there were almost as many numbers to keep track of as there were potential heroines.
Rewind to the start of the initial set of the shootout. Lemont (20-2-4) shot first and the Warriors (21-5-0) followed throughout. Warrior goalie Marta Oster -- the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match -- blocked the first Indians attempt from 30-goal scorer Mairead Ruane. Wheaton Academy couldn't take advatage when Emmerson Fuller's shot hit the post.
Lemont’s Niamh Hehir scored to her right while Lindquist converted to the left. Then Indians sophomore Katrina Retzke had the misfortune to hit the crossbar before Maggie Liechty angled her shot under that crossbar into the top of the netting for a 2-1 Warriors lead.
After Lemont’s Carli Bermele converted only to have Izzy McNally do the same, the score stood 3-2 in Wheaton Academy's favor.
Jacqueline Aleman kept the Indians hopes alive going to her left. Lemont keeper Michelle Jerantowski’s new best friend, the crossbar, rejected Holland Kosiek’s tiebreaking attempt. The 3-3 tie necessitated “sudden victory” intensity with five new shooters ready to go to the spot for each side.
Michaela Egan managed to slip the ball just under Oster’s dive as Lemont fans exhaled. Gretchen Pearson went right with the fluidity of someone with a green arrow.
Next Wheaton Academy's Oster made a no-doubt-about-it block on Isabel Silvar, and the Indians were again on the verge of elimination. But Jerantowski’s crossbar buddy sent sophomore A.C. Hardy's follow-up try into the sky.
Oster stonewalled freshman Adriana Patino's shot, and her counterpart Jerantowski returned the favor on Anna Joy Setran's game-winning bid.
Lemont’s physical defender Sarah Knoepfle, who was dinged up in the game, limped to the line and shot wide left. That gave Wheaton Academy its third chance to punch its ticket to the final, however, Jerantowski came up big again with a save on freshman Emma Goebel.
Indians freshman Danielle Irwin followed with a conversion to the right that gave Lemont a 5-4 advantage, but sophomore Sara Brcka’s blast was strong enough to continue into the net despite contact from Jerantowski’s gloved hand.
For the third set of PKs, shooters from the first round were again available.
Lemont’s Ruane took a lead role again and converted.
“We practice PKs, and the coach decides the lineup,” the junior explained. “We had a shootout in Iowa (Tournament of Champions), and I went first there, so I was ready for this one. But I didn’t expect to lead off the third series. I try to zone everything out and simply make up my mind where I’ll blast it.”
When asked to weigh in on the eternal debate over shootouts deciding an outcome, Ruane was diplomatic.
“Right now, it’s not a good feeling,” she said with a head nod. “But the other team probably thinks it's great.”
After putting Wheaton Academy up 3-2, McNally had no qualms about facing the pressure of a must-score situation.
“It doesn’t matter what spot I am in the lineup, I was just determined we’d win,” McNally said. “I’ve done enough PKS that my approach depends on how I feel, or where I think the goalie will go. I was confident and saw a space and simply went for it. We needed to win since Marta saved so many to keep us in it.”
As was the case the first time, McNally parked her try to the right to extend the series.
On Lemont's 12th try, Nehir opted to go left, unlike her earlier right-side conversion, and the try curved wide of the post.
That’s when Lindquist came up with the finish of the match.
“I tried to do what I’ve practiced and practiced, keep my composure, get lined up. With Marta’s amazing saves in mind, I wanted it to be over,” Lindquist said.
So what were the initial feelings?
“Relieved, excited,” she said.
How about her keeper’s point of view?
“You watch how the shooter lines up, and you try to guess which way they’ll go. It’s basically a guessing game,” Oster admitted. “I don’t pay attention to which attempt we’re on, I simply try to react each time and stick my hand on it. It was a fun game.”
Both coaches accepted the outcome.
“I felt like the second half we locked them down and were in the final third knocking on the door enough to deserve a win,” Warriors coach Jeff Brooke said.
“Lemont’s built on a defensive formation that’s tough to break down. And when we did, credit their goalie or their center backs with some big plays.”
As the opening half ticked inside 15 minutes Wheaton Academy was denied on two prime opportunities. Pearson opened the second half with a blast from the left wing and minutes later Erin Teevans made a textbook cross only to have the Indian defense cut it off. With 26:48 to play, Lindquist rocked the crossbar. Four minutes later Pearson made a diagonal attack, and Jerantowski came up big.
Lindquist cranked another attempt off the crossbar at 7:40 and a follow-up header from the Warriors missed. After that, the Indians appeared eager for a potential shootout.
“As a team, we’re comfortable with our goalie, and she had four amazing saves otherwise we’d have lost in regulation,” Ruane noted.
“They were better than us in the run of play,” Lemont coach Rick Prangen acknowledged. “We’ve been a good defensive team all year, and Sarah (Knoepfle) shut down their top gun. We had zero corner kicks and that’s unusual for us. Not getting those hurt, but otherwise we had a good work rate.
“Late in the second half it seemed like they were just reloading, so I thought PKs at least gave us a chance,” Prangen said. “Ultimately they got their just desserts.”
Lemont's fifth state final appearance will not include a title once more. In 2009, Wheaton Academy posted a 3-0 win over Lemont in the championship. The next year the Indians gained a measure of revenge with a 2-0 triumph in the third place contest. Consolation matches in both 2013 and 2015 ended in fourth place showings.
Starting lineups
Wheaton Academy
GK Maria Oster
D Izzy McNally
D Anna Southard
D Emmerson Fuller
D Holland Kosiek
M Anna Joy Setran
M Maggie Liechty
M A.C. Hardy
F Gretchen Pearson
F Erin Teevans
F Sophia Lindquist
Lemont
GK Michelle Jerantowski
D Katrina Retzke
D Carli Bermele
D Leti Salazar
D Sarah Knoepfle
M Jacqueline Aleman
M Michaela Egan
M Danielle Irwin
M Adriana Patino
F Mairead Ruane
F Isabel Silvar
MVP of the Match: Marta Oster, jr., GK, Wheaton Academy
Officials: Michael Wilson (center); Mark Kener; Scott Taylor; 4th Scott Lichtfuss
Game summary
Wheaton Academy 0, Lemont 0 (WA wins PKs 7-6/12)
1st 2nd OT1 OT2 SH1 SH2 SH3 --- F Records
Wheaton A. 0 0 0 0 3 2 2 (7) --- 1 21-5-0
Lemont 0 0 0 0 3 2 1 (6) --- 0 20-2-4
Shots
WA 4 – 7 – 1 – 3 --- 15
L 2 – 3 – 0 – 0 --- 5
Shots on goal
WA 3 – 3 – 1 – 1 --- 8
L 0 – 1 – 0 – 0 --- 1
Corner kicks
WA 2 – 1 – 0 – 0 --- 3
L 0 – 0 – 0 – 0 --- 0
Saves (goalie)
WA (Oster) 0 – 1 – 0 – 0 --- 1
L (Jerantowski) 3 – 3 – 1 – 1 --- 8
Shootout series #1
Lemont vs. WA goalie Oster Wheaton Academy vs. L goalie Jerantowski
Mairead Ruane shot blocked Emmerson Fuller off right post
Niahm Hehir good inside right Sophia Lindquist good inside left
Katrina Retzke high off crossbar Maggie Liechty good under crossbar
Carli Bermele good inside left Izzy McNally good inside right
Jacqueline Aleman good inside left Holland Kosiek off crossbar and up
Shootout series #2
Michaela Egan good under goalie Gretchen Pearson good inside right
Isabel Silvar shot blocked A.C. Hardy glances off top of crossbar
Adriana Patino shot blocked Anna Joy Setran shot blocked
Sarah Knoepfle wide left Emma Goebel shot blocked
Danielle Irwin good inside left Sarah Brcka blast good to right
Shootout series #3
Mairead Ruane good inside left Izzy McNally good inside right
Niahm Hehir wide left Sophia Lindquist good inside left