H O N O N E G A H G I R L S S O C C E R
[IHSA STATE TOURNAMENT]
Starting Lineup: Courtney Shelton (c), Taylor Scott, Vicki Booth, Maggie Blackburn, Sam Welcher, Nicole Clewer, Natalie Johnson, Kelsey Carroll (c),
Kate Young, Taylor Giedd, Danielle Mathieu
Non-starters: Tiphane Truax, Ana Hayes, Becca Marion, Kelsey Mathieu, MacKenzie Kelling, (Sabina Welcher), Kori Maville, Kayla Kryder, Kara Pratt,
Carolyn Prescott
Result: 1-0 Final, sudden-death overtime; 0-0 Halftime and End of Regulation
Team Record: 13-4-6 Overall; 6-0-2 NIC-9
sudden-death shootout after a scoreless match. This year would prove to be no less exciting! A battle fully prepared to be waged, the ladies knew of the
energetic midfield that Sycamore would bring to the match, as was fresh in their minds from the 0-0 meeting the two teams had back in April. The game
started with a strong showing from the ladies, with some crisp ball movement and good attacking runs. The best chance of the night was when
freshmen Taylor Giedd had an open look at an empty net, but put the ball over the bar. A half dozen other quality opportunities presented themselves but
to no avail. Halftime score: 0-0. At the break, the ladies were encouraged to do a better job of closing the space that they were providing Sycamore to
opperate in and in doing so would create more opportunities on goal. This would prove true in the 2nd half as the ladies rarely let Sycamore out of their
own half, yet failed to finish at the other end. Numerous corner kicks and throw-ins were for naught, as the score remained even at 0-0. In the overtime
period, both teams battled and Sycamore came away with the best opportunity as they put more pressure on our defense right off the bat. However, the
second overtime would prove to be too much as midway through the overtime, junior Taylor Scott's long throw-in cleared the defense and found a spot in
the back of the net, but not before the goalkeeper had touched the ball (by rule, a goal may not be scored directly on a throw-in unless it has been
touched).. I mixed reaction of overjoy and confusion surrounded the celebration as opposing coaches and line judges wanted clarification, but the
center official made the official motion that the goal would stand. The ladies won in dramatic fashion again and move onto a repeat performance in the
Sectional Final with archrivals Boylan on Thursday night! Nice job ladies... a much deserved victory!!! ~ Coach Eiss
[IHSA STATE TOURNAMENT]
Starting Lineup: Courtney Shelton (c), Taylor Scott, Vicki Booth, Danielle Mathieu, Sam Welcher, Nicole Clewer, Natalie Johnson, Kelsey Carroll (c),
Kate Young, Taylor Giedd, Kelsey Mathieu
Non-starters: Tiphane Truax, Ana Hayes, Becca Marion, Maggie Blackburn, MacKenzie Kelling, (Sabina Welcher), Kori Maville, Kayla Kryder, Kara Pratt,
Carolyn Prescott
Result: 1-3 Final; 1-1 Halftime
Team Record: 13-5-6 Overall; 6-0-2 NIC-9 (2nd)
and with the past history of 2006, the battle between the #1 and #2 seeds in the sectional was lining up to be a good one. With the weather threatening
and a wind advantage to one side, Boylan took the wind and immediately put the ladies on their heels. It took some sorting, but once the girls were able
to find their passing rhythm, suddenly things clicked and in rapid transition. The momentum switched with great scoring opportunities just going wide.
With approximately 12 minutes remaining in the half, freshmen midfielder Nicki Clewer left her wing to run onto a throug ball that caught the entire
backline of Boylan by suprise. One touch finish and suddenly the Indians found themselves in the driving seat with the early lead. The following 10
minutes was a flurry of near misses with the throw-in of Taylor Scott and corner kicks of Sam Welcher always threatening. Unfortunately, as has been
true all season, the finishing touch would go beckoning, thus allowing the opposition to find a foot in the door. That foot came on a misclear in the
backline and a shot that deflected off a defender out of keeper Courtney Shelton's reach with 1:30 minutes left in the half. Halftime score 1-1. The ladies
knew they would be dealing with a more determined Boylan team in half two, but were encouraged to still take the attack to them. The half started out as
expected with some great opportunities for both teams, and an amazing save by Courtney in goal yet again. The best opportunity to score was when
freshmen Taylor Giedd hit a near perfect strike from 25 yards that met the corner of the crossbar and came back into play.... with which Nicki Clewer
narrowly missed on goal again. Boylan secured the lead after Courntey Shelton pulled out a spectacular save, only to have the wet turf fail her and allow
for the ball to come free momentarily, with which they pounce for the 2-1 lead. The ladies seemed to lose some wind in their sails after that but
continued to press on. Ultimately, it was a valiant effort and nothing short of heroic, but it just wasn't enough on this night. Boylan scripted virtually an
identical game as the previous year... going down in the 1st half, only to tie by halftime and take the lead for good 15 minutes into the 2nd. The only
consolation for the ladies was knowing they had left it all on the field, and that someday, the Sectional title would be theirs. I am so proud of this group
and their effort. It took an entire team just to get to this game... that needs to be remembered... and it is a team that can hold it's head high!!! ~