This time, Wheaton A. on other side
of extra PKs; Triad wins AA title
Warriors stopped by GK King in 7th shootout round
By Patrick Z. McGavin
NAPERVILLE -- The normal rules and order for playing in a state title game were wholly disrupted for Mercedes King. At the worst possible moment, the natural and expected blend of nerves and anticipation was taken over by a sudden fear.
King felt a pop in her back during the pre-game training drills. In severe pain, she suddenly wondered if she was available to play in the biggest game of her life.
“We did not think she’d be able to play,” Triad coach Matt Bettlach said. “Right before our final walk-through, we were trying to stretch her and pop her back out. She was limping.”
King transcended the pain and discomfort by making two-game altering saves as the Knights withstood Wheaton Academy’s tremendous pressure and survived a 7-round penalty kick shootout to win the Class AA state championship Saturday afternoon at North Central College.
Playing keeper is the most psychologically complex position on the field. Once the game went to a shootout after a 0-0 tie, King constructed her own wall.
“I don’t really like everybody coming up to me and talking to me,” King said. “I do kind of push myself away from my teammates, and I like to get into my own head and tell myself that I got this. With them saying all of this stuff, just makes me even more nervous.
“I like to get away and do my own thing.”
King earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor for her superb play.
When junior midfielder Jody Ellis drilled a low ball into the left corner on the seventh shot, the Knights won the PK shootout 5-4 and claimed the Knights’ second state title. Triad took its first AA championship in 2011.
“We try them at the end of practice every time,” Ellis said. “I always go to the left side and try to place it in the corner and get a little bit on the shot so the keeper cannot get to it.”
Senior forwards Sam Bassler and Meaghan Smith, sophomore midfielder Molly Suess and freshman defender Sierra Schlemmer also converted for the Knights.
Senior midfielder Maggie Liechty, senior defender Emmerson Fuller, senior forward Gretchen Pearson and junior forward Erin Teevans recorded successful attempts for the Warriors.
King rose to the challenge by blocking the Warriors’ seventh shooter.
“On the last one, I knew I had to make a save for my team,” King said. “I kept looking at her eyes, because she kept looking right and a lot of times they go the opposite way. I read it right, she kicked it, and I got my hand on it.”
King registered four saves. Her most important action occurred in the 45th minute. After playing on its heels at the start, Wheaton Academy found its shape and orchestrated a more dangerous and exciting attack throughout the second half.
Sophomore forward Sarah Brcka cut through two Knights defenders and slotted a perfect ball to a streaking Teevans on the left edge. Teevans cut toward the middle and blasted a laser that King again aggressively broke on and made the instinctive and spectacular diving stop.
“She kind of took a long touch, so I was going to come out and get it,” King said. “I had to stop and slow down because I realized she could have gotten a good shot out of it. I read it right. She kicked it, and I got my hand on it.”
The bang-bang sequence constituted the best scoring chance for either team in the 100 minutes of regulation and overtime.
“That is one I will really think about,” Teevans said. “She came out far, and I could have taken a touch. I will never forget that one.”
The play symbolized the heartbreak for the Warriors (21-6-0), who dominated the second half only to be deprived of the one defining moment. Star senior forward Gretchen Pearson also had a chance with a short volley in front off of a corner kick that she overhit over the top of the crossbar.
“I honestly don’t know what happened,” Pearson said. “I went to hit it, and I guess my foot was a little high.”
The Warriors reached the state title game for the fourth time in program history, a remarkable accomplishment for the West Chicago private school. Dave Underwood directed the program to state titles in 2004 and last year’s 2-1 double overtime victory over Marian Central in the Class A state championship.
Scott Marksberry directed the Warriors to the 2009 Class AA state title.
Jeff Brooke, a truly gifted young coach, was attempting the rare double of winning state titles with both the boys and girls. His 2014 boys team captured the Class AA state title. In his first year with the girls’ program, Brooke fashioned a quick and skilled team that optimized its offensive capabilities.
“I thought we created a couple of great opportunities in the second half,” Brooke said. “In the first half I thought they had high-level possession. I was very pleased with how we came out in the second half and started making the transition and creating chances.
“I thought we created a couple of good chances that we just did not put away. I will leave by saying that is a really good team that we lost to, the way they played and the discipline they had.”
Triad (22-6-0) posted very impressive regular season wins over Edwardsville, Belleville West and battled gamely in a 1-0 loss against eventual Class 3A third place finisher Collinsville. The Knights defeated two-time state champions Rochester and Glenwood in the sectional and survived state power Sacred Heart-Griffin in a supersectional.
“We also played some of the best teams in Missouri to get us ready for state,” freshman defender Sierra Schlemmer said. “I feel like we had a lot of adrenaline to push us through the game. We got scared a couple of times. They had some good chances, but our defense held. We also thought since they went into a shootout yesterday their legs would be tired, and we wanted to pounce on them.”
Junior keeper Marta Oster was fantastic for the Warriors. She recorded four saves and a spectacular block that pushed the shootout into the second round.
A Warriors team that played two overtimes and what's believed to be a state playoff record 12-round shootout to outlast Lemont in Friday’s semifinal did everything humanly possible.
“The character they showed to come out in that second half after the first half we had was very impressive,” Bettlach said. “They are the ones who made it difficult for us.”
Pearson, Teevans and sophomore forward Sophia Lindquist led the Warriors, who entered the state title game on a stretch of 15 wins in 17 games.
“I am very proud of the girls,” Brooke said. “I think we just wanted to get better each and every game. I don’t know if too many people thought we’d be back here. We had 12 seniors who just kind of guided the way. The girls approached training, conference games, tournament games and the playoffs as a chance to improve and get better.”
Triad made one more play. Wheaton Academy made something just as essential.
“We worked so hard to get to this place, and it is an honor,” Teevans said. “I think of course we would love to be the first place team right now. I would not trade getting first place to not being part of this team.
“I will take the relationships and the friendships that I made over a state championship any day.”
Starting lineups
Triad
GK: Mercedes King
D: Katie Gibbs
D: Maddie Keller
D: Eryn Fanning
D: Sydney Beach
D: Morgan Bohnenstiehl
MF: Jody Ellis
MF: Jordyn Besserman
MF: Erynn Little
F: Meaghan Smith
F: Sam Bassler
Wheaton Academy
GK: Marta Oster
D: Emmerson Fuller
D: Anna Southard
D: Holland Kosiek
D: Izzy McNally
MF: Anne Camille Hardy
MF: Maggie Liechty
MF: Anna Joy Setran
F: Erin Teevans
F: Sophia Lindquist
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Mercedes King, Jr., GK, Triad
Officials: Scott Taylor (center): Mark Kenar; Mark Folta; 4th Chris Kerwood
of extra PKs; Triad wins AA title
Warriors stopped by GK King in 7th shootout round
By Patrick Z. McGavin
NAPERVILLE -- The normal rules and order for playing in a state title game were wholly disrupted for Mercedes King. At the worst possible moment, the natural and expected blend of nerves and anticipation was taken over by a sudden fear.
King felt a pop in her back during the pre-game training drills. In severe pain, she suddenly wondered if she was available to play in the biggest game of her life.
“We did not think she’d be able to play,” Triad coach Matt Bettlach said. “Right before our final walk-through, we were trying to stretch her and pop her back out. She was limping.”
King transcended the pain and discomfort by making two-game altering saves as the Knights withstood Wheaton Academy’s tremendous pressure and survived a 7-round penalty kick shootout to win the Class AA state championship Saturday afternoon at North Central College.
Playing keeper is the most psychologically complex position on the field. Once the game went to a shootout after a 0-0 tie, King constructed her own wall.
“I don’t really like everybody coming up to me and talking to me,” King said. “I do kind of push myself away from my teammates, and I like to get into my own head and tell myself that I got this. With them saying all of this stuff, just makes me even more nervous.
“I like to get away and do my own thing.”
King earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honor for her superb play.
When junior midfielder Jody Ellis drilled a low ball into the left corner on the seventh shot, the Knights won the PK shootout 5-4 and claimed the Knights’ second state title. Triad took its first AA championship in 2011.
“We try them at the end of practice every time,” Ellis said. “I always go to the left side and try to place it in the corner and get a little bit on the shot so the keeper cannot get to it.”
Senior forwards Sam Bassler and Meaghan Smith, sophomore midfielder Molly Suess and freshman defender Sierra Schlemmer also converted for the Knights.
Senior midfielder Maggie Liechty, senior defender Emmerson Fuller, senior forward Gretchen Pearson and junior forward Erin Teevans recorded successful attempts for the Warriors.
King rose to the challenge by blocking the Warriors’ seventh shooter.
“On the last one, I knew I had to make a save for my team,” King said. “I kept looking at her eyes, because she kept looking right and a lot of times they go the opposite way. I read it right, she kicked it, and I got my hand on it.”
King registered four saves. Her most important action occurred in the 45th minute. After playing on its heels at the start, Wheaton Academy found its shape and orchestrated a more dangerous and exciting attack throughout the second half.
Sophomore forward Sarah Brcka cut through two Knights defenders and slotted a perfect ball to a streaking Teevans on the left edge. Teevans cut toward the middle and blasted a laser that King again aggressively broke on and made the instinctive and spectacular diving stop.
“She kind of took a long touch, so I was going to come out and get it,” King said. “I had to stop and slow down because I realized she could have gotten a good shot out of it. I read it right. She kicked it, and I got my hand on it.”
The bang-bang sequence constituted the best scoring chance for either team in the 100 minutes of regulation and overtime.
“That is one I will really think about,” Teevans said. “She came out far, and I could have taken a touch. I will never forget that one.”
The play symbolized the heartbreak for the Warriors (21-6-0), who dominated the second half only to be deprived of the one defining moment. Star senior forward Gretchen Pearson also had a chance with a short volley in front off of a corner kick that she overhit over the top of the crossbar.
“I honestly don’t know what happened,” Pearson said. “I went to hit it, and I guess my foot was a little high.”
The Warriors reached the state title game for the fourth time in program history, a remarkable accomplishment for the West Chicago private school. Dave Underwood directed the program to state titles in 2004 and last year’s 2-1 double overtime victory over Marian Central in the Class A state championship.
Scott Marksberry directed the Warriors to the 2009 Class AA state title.
Jeff Brooke, a truly gifted young coach, was attempting the rare double of winning state titles with both the boys and girls. His 2014 boys team captured the Class AA state title. In his first year with the girls’ program, Brooke fashioned a quick and skilled team that optimized its offensive capabilities.
“I thought we created a couple of great opportunities in the second half,” Brooke said. “In the first half I thought they had high-level possession. I was very pleased with how we came out in the second half and started making the transition and creating chances.
“I thought we created a couple of good chances that we just did not put away. I will leave by saying that is a really good team that we lost to, the way they played and the discipline they had.”
Triad (22-6-0) posted very impressive regular season wins over Edwardsville, Belleville West and battled gamely in a 1-0 loss against eventual Class 3A third place finisher Collinsville. The Knights defeated two-time state champions Rochester and Glenwood in the sectional and survived state power Sacred Heart-Griffin in a supersectional.
“We also played some of the best teams in Missouri to get us ready for state,” freshman defender Sierra Schlemmer said. “I feel like we had a lot of adrenaline to push us through the game. We got scared a couple of times. They had some good chances, but our defense held. We also thought since they went into a shootout yesterday their legs would be tired, and we wanted to pounce on them.”
Junior keeper Marta Oster was fantastic for the Warriors. She recorded four saves and a spectacular block that pushed the shootout into the second round.
A Warriors team that played two overtimes and what's believed to be a state playoff record 12-round shootout to outlast Lemont in Friday’s semifinal did everything humanly possible.
“The character they showed to come out in that second half after the first half we had was very impressive,” Bettlach said. “They are the ones who made it difficult for us.”
Pearson, Teevans and sophomore forward Sophia Lindquist led the Warriors, who entered the state title game on a stretch of 15 wins in 17 games.
“I am very proud of the girls,” Brooke said. “I think we just wanted to get better each and every game. I don’t know if too many people thought we’d be back here. We had 12 seniors who just kind of guided the way. The girls approached training, conference games, tournament games and the playoffs as a chance to improve and get better.”
Triad made one more play. Wheaton Academy made something just as essential.
“We worked so hard to get to this place, and it is an honor,” Teevans said. “I think of course we would love to be the first place team right now. I would not trade getting first place to not being part of this team.
“I will take the relationships and the friendships that I made over a state championship any day.”
Starting lineups
Triad
GK: Mercedes King
D: Katie Gibbs
D: Maddie Keller
D: Eryn Fanning
D: Sydney Beach
D: Morgan Bohnenstiehl
MF: Jody Ellis
MF: Jordyn Besserman
MF: Erynn Little
F: Meaghan Smith
F: Sam Bassler
Wheaton Academy
GK: Marta Oster
D: Emmerson Fuller
D: Anna Southard
D: Holland Kosiek
D: Izzy McNally
MF: Anne Camille Hardy
MF: Maggie Liechty
MF: Anna Joy Setran
F: Erin Teevans
F: Sophia Lindquist
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Mercedes King, Jr., GK, Triad
Officials: Scott Taylor (center): Mark Kenar; Mark Folta; 4th Chris Kerwood