Triad flips Joliet Catholic to grab 3rd AA title
High-arcing throw-in, defense lead Knights to 1-0 win
By Dave Owen
HOFFMAN ESTATES – The goal had an element of mystery. The defense was pure mastery.
Triad’s 1-0 win in the Class AA state finals on Saturday marked the 15th shutout in a row for the Knights (24-0-1).
Most impressively, the latest goose egg came against a Joliet Catholic squad that poured in 115 goals in 19 matches this spring, including seven in Friday’s state semifinal win.
“Like I’ve said before, it starts in the back for us,” Triad coach Matt Bettlach said. “That’s been our strong suit all year. We had to make some adjustments today, because they were leaving three, four and sometimes five girls up-top, so we had to keep girls back. And the girls handled it really well.”
The top target up-top for Joliet Catholic (16-2-1), was senior Morgan Furmaniak, whose 39-goal season included a Class AA record-tying hat-trick in the semifinals. She also notched two assists in the semis.
But despite producing a few skipped heartbeats on free kicks, Furmaniak was generally contained by a Triad defensive effort led by senior Savannah Stauffer.
“Going in to this game we watched film, and we heard sources tell us that she (Furmaniak) was going to be hard to mark, and she was,” Stauffer said.
“But I think as we shut her down and shut their team down. They realized she was the person they couldn’t go to anymore. She wasn’t there. I made her job a lot harder, and she made my job hard. She’s a great person too. I was making some friendly conversation with her. And she’s an amazing player. It was a perfect matchup.”
Furmaniak briefly left the game in the 16th minute after a collision with Stauffer. And even with her rapid return three minutes later, she and her teammates endured just their second shutout of 2021 (after a nil-nil draw with Plainfield North on May 15).
“They were really strong on defense,” said Furmaniak, whose squad also fell to Triad in the 2019 third place match at state. “They knew what we had, and they planned accordingly. They’re a great team. It was a great opportunity to play against them.
“I was getting very frustrated. I’m sure we all were and coach (Oscar Valdez) was. But we kept trying to push through and find our chances.”
Early Joliet Catholic chances included an Emma Gruber 10-yarder just wide of net off a Furmaniak pass in the 4th minute, and a low Furmaniak 28-yard free kick that she lined just wide left in the 14th minute.
Triad’s offense kicked in soon after.
In the 20th minute, a nice 1-v-1 win and clear by Joliet Catholic junior defender Kate Gerdes on Triad attacker Laney Harshany repelled one threat in the box.
But Harshany’s superiority on set pieces would literally flip in the game into Triad’s favor just over four minutes later.
The sophomore’s skill at high-arcing tosses on flip throw-ins was no secret.
“Even a week prior,” Valdez said, “we said in case we meet these guys, this (flip throw-in) is their thing.”
In this case, the flip was a very good thing for Triad.
Harshany’s somersault and high toss sailed into the crease near teammate Gracie Giacoletto. While Giacoletto appeared to miss contact with the ball, the sphere spun past Joliet Catholic goalkeeper Abby Pasternak and into the net for a 1-0 Triad lead.
“I think the goalie got off of her line,” Harshany said. “She went up for it and missed it, and it went in. Once I throw it in, I get diagonal in case the ball comes out and I can either get underneath or be out wide.”
Giacoletto was credited with her eighth goal of 2021, but couldn’t offer much eyewitness testimony to how the play finished.
“In previous games I’ve scored off of Laney’s throw-ins, so I just knew we had to get this in,” Giacoletto said. “It was very exciting. But I’ll be honest, I couldn’t see. My eyes may have been closed as well.”
But one scenario was very clear.
“I knew there was still 60 minutes to play and you can’t let off the gas, but it definitely was relieving,” Giacoletto said. “I was confident in our defense that they weren’t going to let in a goal. It was like ‘Wow, we might have done it right here.’”
The Angels tried to quickly answer with a prolonged threat in the 26th minute. A nice block of a Triad end-line clear attempt by Joliet Catholic ’s Kailyn Terry set up teammates Kendall McLeod and Gruber for consecutive shot attempts in the box.
But otherwise, chances in the late stages of the first half were dominated by Triad.
Stauffer’s steal near midfield and run produced a 35-yard shot over frame in the 36th minute, and Triad’s Carson Bohnenstiehl followed with a nice 50/50 ball win and 25-yard drive just over the net 1:35 before halftime.
“That’s one heck of a team in Joliet,” Bettlach said, “and after we scored it was nice, but you knew that wasn’t going to be the end of the game.
“And they had a few chances, but our girls stood their ground against a very good, physical team. I couldn’t be more proud of our defensive effort, especially in the second half.”
Furmaniak’s uncle J.J. Furmaniak had a major league baseball stint with the Pirates and A’s 15 years ago. She threatened twice early in the second half with soccer’s version of the home run.
She powered a 36-yard free kick over the net with 34:40 left, then created another dangerous chance six minutes later when she was again fouled. But her ensuing 31-yard free kick was blocked by the Triad wall, and an Angels foul on the rebound bid denied that threat to tie.
In between those Furmaniak shots, a strong Terry run and Emy Diaz left side shot was denied by a Stauffer block and Triad clear.
“Our goal today was keep going at them, don’t let up, be relentless,” Stauffer said. “Persevere. We write that on our shoes every game.
“It majorly showed throughout the whole season, going undefeated. And we can finally talk about it now.”
But before the unbeaten state title was written in ink, Joliet Catholic was also relentless.
With 24:40 left, a McLeod corner kick produced a 10-yard Furmaniak line-drive header that was grabbed by Triad goalkeeper Reagan Chigas.
On an Angels send to the box with 18:15 to go, the ball came loose in a race for the sphere between Furmaniak and goalkeeper Chigas. Gruber gained possession, but her shot attempt chipped over the net.
The final minutes were just as frenetic.
Furmaniak powered a 45-yard free kick wide right with 7:50 left. Then on Breanna Ciemny’s throw-in with 2:30 to play, Gerdes sent a 20-yard running touch wide left.
While Triad’s defense was the big story Saturday, Gerdes’ extra effort on the Joliet Catholic backline was also impressive. On multiple plays she took on bigger opponents in the physical match, but steals and denied shot attempts were often the outcome.
“I’m 4-foot-11,” Gerdes joked. “I’m used to being thrown on the ground.”
Triad also threatened on second half set pieces. A Stauffer 50-yard free kick led to a Gabbie Wood right-side dribble-drive, and Pasternak save with 6:30 to go. Then two minutes later, a Kinlee Lippert 30-yard free kick went wide.
“They (Triad) know how to hold the ball, they pass very well,” Gerdes said. “They’re very good at their game. Usually we were able to shut it down. But number 9 (Harshany) stepped up that one time, and that won them the game.”
The Angels fought to the end.
A Gruber end-line threat with 1:40 to go was denied by Chigas at the left post, followed by a McLeod corner kick. On a battle at the top of the box with 40 seconds left, a whistle and red card call on Joliet Catholic provided one last unexpected twist.
“We had our chances,” Furmaniak said, “but they didn’t fall like we wanted them to. A lot of things weren’t going our way, but we kept fighting. We kept pushing. … It didn’t go like we wanted it to.”
Said McLeod: “It was a physical game. At the end of the day we worked hard, and it was an unlucky goal. But we pushed hard and played good. Second place isn’t that bad.”
Very good in fact, especially for a program that reached state for the first time in 2019 (placing fourth), won its first finals game in the semis and finished below .500 as recently as 2017.
“Joliet Catholic girls’ soccer had never been to the state final,” Gruber said. “A lot of things didn’t go our way this game, but I’m still super proud of our team making it this far. It was an honor to be here and play Triad, a really good team. Our whole season was really memorable, and we made a lot of history.
“Our goal was set higher this year (than 2019),” Gruber added. “Two years ago we weren’t expecting anything here, but this year we knew what to expect. I’m so proud of everyone.”
That emotion understandably floods the Triad squad as well.
“I’m obviously so proud of my team and myself,” Giacoletto said, “but I’m sad that it’s my last game with everybody. I love this group of people so much. It’s exhilarating to be able to say that we’re state champs.”
Triad heads back to the St. Louis area with its third state trophy since 2017, and third Class AA title to match 2011 and 2017 triumphs.
“My sister (Madysin) did this (won Class AA) four years ago when she was a senior,” Stauffer said, “and she’s been blowing up my phone texting me, saying ‘I’m so excited for you.’
“I finally get to feel what she felt. We played great teams (including a 2-0 win over Class 3A champ O’Fallon), and to be able to finish out the season like this is a great feeling. Now we get to go on the bus for four hours and not be sad. Celebrate, sing, dance.”
And while Triad rejoices, Joliet Catholic has few regrets.
“The girls played awesome,” Valdez said. “I couldn’t ask for anything better than that.
“Troy (Triad) is a really good team. “They had a good line in the back. We had our chances. A couple in the beginning and the whole thing would have changed, but we can talk about that one throw-in all day long.”
Starting lineups
Triad
GK Reagan Chigas
D Avery Bohnenstiehl
D Emily Rosenthal
D Savannah Stauffer
D Brynn Presley
M Gracie Giacoletto
M Kinlee Lippert
M Ezra Wilder
F Carson Bohnenstiehl
F Maddie Milligan
F Laney Harsahany
Joliet Catholic
GK Abby Pasternak
D Natalie D’Andrea
D Kate Gerdes
D Brynn Higgins
M Emy Diaz
M Kendall McLeod
M Alaina Wildenradt
M Breanna Ciemny
F Kailyn Terry
F Emma Gruber
F Morgan Furmaniak
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Savannah Stauffer, sr. D, Triad
Scoring summary
First half
T- Gracie Giacoletto (Laney Harshany throw-in), 24th min
Second half
No scoring
High-arcing throw-in, defense lead Knights to 1-0 win
By Dave Owen
HOFFMAN ESTATES – The goal had an element of mystery. The defense was pure mastery.
Triad’s 1-0 win in the Class AA state finals on Saturday marked the 15th shutout in a row for the Knights (24-0-1).
Most impressively, the latest goose egg came against a Joliet Catholic squad that poured in 115 goals in 19 matches this spring, including seven in Friday’s state semifinal win.
“Like I’ve said before, it starts in the back for us,” Triad coach Matt Bettlach said. “That’s been our strong suit all year. We had to make some adjustments today, because they were leaving three, four and sometimes five girls up-top, so we had to keep girls back. And the girls handled it really well.”
The top target up-top for Joliet Catholic (16-2-1), was senior Morgan Furmaniak, whose 39-goal season included a Class AA record-tying hat-trick in the semifinals. She also notched two assists in the semis.
But despite producing a few skipped heartbeats on free kicks, Furmaniak was generally contained by a Triad defensive effort led by senior Savannah Stauffer.
“Going in to this game we watched film, and we heard sources tell us that she (Furmaniak) was going to be hard to mark, and she was,” Stauffer said.
“But I think as we shut her down and shut their team down. They realized she was the person they couldn’t go to anymore. She wasn’t there. I made her job a lot harder, and she made my job hard. She’s a great person too. I was making some friendly conversation with her. And she’s an amazing player. It was a perfect matchup.”
Furmaniak briefly left the game in the 16th minute after a collision with Stauffer. And even with her rapid return three minutes later, she and her teammates endured just their second shutout of 2021 (after a nil-nil draw with Plainfield North on May 15).
“They were really strong on defense,” said Furmaniak, whose squad also fell to Triad in the 2019 third place match at state. “They knew what we had, and they planned accordingly. They’re a great team. It was a great opportunity to play against them.
“I was getting very frustrated. I’m sure we all were and coach (Oscar Valdez) was. But we kept trying to push through and find our chances.”
Early Joliet Catholic chances included an Emma Gruber 10-yarder just wide of net off a Furmaniak pass in the 4th minute, and a low Furmaniak 28-yard free kick that she lined just wide left in the 14th minute.
Triad’s offense kicked in soon after.
In the 20th minute, a nice 1-v-1 win and clear by Joliet Catholic junior defender Kate Gerdes on Triad attacker Laney Harshany repelled one threat in the box.
But Harshany’s superiority on set pieces would literally flip in the game into Triad’s favor just over four minutes later.
The sophomore’s skill at high-arcing tosses on flip throw-ins was no secret.
“Even a week prior,” Valdez said, “we said in case we meet these guys, this (flip throw-in) is their thing.”
In this case, the flip was a very good thing for Triad.
Harshany’s somersault and high toss sailed into the crease near teammate Gracie Giacoletto. While Giacoletto appeared to miss contact with the ball, the sphere spun past Joliet Catholic goalkeeper Abby Pasternak and into the net for a 1-0 Triad lead.
“I think the goalie got off of her line,” Harshany said. “She went up for it and missed it, and it went in. Once I throw it in, I get diagonal in case the ball comes out and I can either get underneath or be out wide.”
Giacoletto was credited with her eighth goal of 2021, but couldn’t offer much eyewitness testimony to how the play finished.
“In previous games I’ve scored off of Laney’s throw-ins, so I just knew we had to get this in,” Giacoletto said. “It was very exciting. But I’ll be honest, I couldn’t see. My eyes may have been closed as well.”
But one scenario was very clear.
“I knew there was still 60 minutes to play and you can’t let off the gas, but it definitely was relieving,” Giacoletto said. “I was confident in our defense that they weren’t going to let in a goal. It was like ‘Wow, we might have done it right here.’”
The Angels tried to quickly answer with a prolonged threat in the 26th minute. A nice block of a Triad end-line clear attempt by Joliet Catholic ’s Kailyn Terry set up teammates Kendall McLeod and Gruber for consecutive shot attempts in the box.
But otherwise, chances in the late stages of the first half were dominated by Triad.
Stauffer’s steal near midfield and run produced a 35-yard shot over frame in the 36th minute, and Triad’s Carson Bohnenstiehl followed with a nice 50/50 ball win and 25-yard drive just over the net 1:35 before halftime.
“That’s one heck of a team in Joliet,” Bettlach said, “and after we scored it was nice, but you knew that wasn’t going to be the end of the game.
“And they had a few chances, but our girls stood their ground against a very good, physical team. I couldn’t be more proud of our defensive effort, especially in the second half.”
Furmaniak’s uncle J.J. Furmaniak had a major league baseball stint with the Pirates and A’s 15 years ago. She threatened twice early in the second half with soccer’s version of the home run.
She powered a 36-yard free kick over the net with 34:40 left, then created another dangerous chance six minutes later when she was again fouled. But her ensuing 31-yard free kick was blocked by the Triad wall, and an Angels foul on the rebound bid denied that threat to tie.
In between those Furmaniak shots, a strong Terry run and Emy Diaz left side shot was denied by a Stauffer block and Triad clear.
“Our goal today was keep going at them, don’t let up, be relentless,” Stauffer said. “Persevere. We write that on our shoes every game.
“It majorly showed throughout the whole season, going undefeated. And we can finally talk about it now.”
But before the unbeaten state title was written in ink, Joliet Catholic was also relentless.
With 24:40 left, a McLeod corner kick produced a 10-yard Furmaniak line-drive header that was grabbed by Triad goalkeeper Reagan Chigas.
On an Angels send to the box with 18:15 to go, the ball came loose in a race for the sphere between Furmaniak and goalkeeper Chigas. Gruber gained possession, but her shot attempt chipped over the net.
The final minutes were just as frenetic.
Furmaniak powered a 45-yard free kick wide right with 7:50 left. Then on Breanna Ciemny’s throw-in with 2:30 to play, Gerdes sent a 20-yard running touch wide left.
While Triad’s defense was the big story Saturday, Gerdes’ extra effort on the Joliet Catholic backline was also impressive. On multiple plays she took on bigger opponents in the physical match, but steals and denied shot attempts were often the outcome.
“I’m 4-foot-11,” Gerdes joked. “I’m used to being thrown on the ground.”
Triad also threatened on second half set pieces. A Stauffer 50-yard free kick led to a Gabbie Wood right-side dribble-drive, and Pasternak save with 6:30 to go. Then two minutes later, a Kinlee Lippert 30-yard free kick went wide.
“They (Triad) know how to hold the ball, they pass very well,” Gerdes said. “They’re very good at their game. Usually we were able to shut it down. But number 9 (Harshany) stepped up that one time, and that won them the game.”
The Angels fought to the end.
A Gruber end-line threat with 1:40 to go was denied by Chigas at the left post, followed by a McLeod corner kick. On a battle at the top of the box with 40 seconds left, a whistle and red card call on Joliet Catholic provided one last unexpected twist.
“We had our chances,” Furmaniak said, “but they didn’t fall like we wanted them to. A lot of things weren’t going our way, but we kept fighting. We kept pushing. … It didn’t go like we wanted it to.”
Said McLeod: “It was a physical game. At the end of the day we worked hard, and it was an unlucky goal. But we pushed hard and played good. Second place isn’t that bad.”
Very good in fact, especially for a program that reached state for the first time in 2019 (placing fourth), won its first finals game in the semis and finished below .500 as recently as 2017.
“Joliet Catholic girls’ soccer had never been to the state final,” Gruber said. “A lot of things didn’t go our way this game, but I’m still super proud of our team making it this far. It was an honor to be here and play Triad, a really good team. Our whole season was really memorable, and we made a lot of history.
“Our goal was set higher this year (than 2019),” Gruber added. “Two years ago we weren’t expecting anything here, but this year we knew what to expect. I’m so proud of everyone.”
That emotion understandably floods the Triad squad as well.
“I’m obviously so proud of my team and myself,” Giacoletto said, “but I’m sad that it’s my last game with everybody. I love this group of people so much. It’s exhilarating to be able to say that we’re state champs.”
Triad heads back to the St. Louis area with its third state trophy since 2017, and third Class AA title to match 2011 and 2017 triumphs.
“My sister (Madysin) did this (won Class AA) four years ago when she was a senior,” Stauffer said, “and she’s been blowing up my phone texting me, saying ‘I’m so excited for you.’
“I finally get to feel what she felt. We played great teams (including a 2-0 win over Class 3A champ O’Fallon), and to be able to finish out the season like this is a great feeling. Now we get to go on the bus for four hours and not be sad. Celebrate, sing, dance.”
And while Triad rejoices, Joliet Catholic has few regrets.
“The girls played awesome,” Valdez said. “I couldn’t ask for anything better than that.
“Troy (Triad) is a really good team. “They had a good line in the back. We had our chances. A couple in the beginning and the whole thing would have changed, but we can talk about that one throw-in all day long.”
Starting lineups
Triad
GK Reagan Chigas
D Avery Bohnenstiehl
D Emily Rosenthal
D Savannah Stauffer
D Brynn Presley
M Gracie Giacoletto
M Kinlee Lippert
M Ezra Wilder
F Carson Bohnenstiehl
F Maddie Milligan
F Laney Harsahany
Joliet Catholic
GK Abby Pasternak
D Natalie D’Andrea
D Kate Gerdes
D Brynn Higgins
M Emy Diaz
M Kendall McLeod
M Alaina Wildenradt
M Breanna Ciemny
F Kailyn Terry
F Emma Gruber
F Morgan Furmaniak
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Savannah Stauffer, sr. D, Triad
Scoring summary
First half
T- Gracie Giacoletto (Laney Harshany throw-in), 24th min
Second half
No scoring