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, MacKenzie Kelling, 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, Maggie Blackburn, (Sabina Welcher), Kori Maville, Kayla Kryder, Kara Pratt,
Carolyn Prescott
Result: 2-1 Final; 1-0 Halftime
Team Record: 11-4-6 Overall; 6-0-2 NIC-9
be hit with showers, and certainly this was the case as the skies opened up just around kick off. The rain coupled with the tight field dimensions made
for a very difficult start for both teams, however it did not take long for the ladies to find the net. On the 1st corner kick of the game, sophomore Sam
Welcher found a sophomore Natalie Johnson free for the open header in the net at the 2 minute mark. The very next dead ball Sam Welcher hit off the
crossbar and the ensuing corner just missed its mark again. Unfortunately for the ladies, 6 more corner kicks could not produce anymore results, and
the lead only remained 1-0 at the break. The second half proved to be more successful at figuring out the pitch, as it was equally as much of an
adversary as the opponent was. Once the ladies starting understanding how to play on this fast small surface, the opportunities on goal started to
increase with regularity. Midway through the half, freshmen Taylor Giedd found the net on a breakaway to seal the victory for the ladies... or at least, that
is what we thought. More insure goals would have been nice, but Marengo hit a one-touch ball from about 30 yards out that caught everyone by suprise,
even themselves I think, and suddenly it was a 1 goal game with 10 minutes remaining. Our ladies rose to the challenge and made sure the result
would stand, coming away with a deserved 2-1 victory. A much tighter game in the scoreline as the game actually would indicate, but a win that sees
them through to the next round... a meeting with home side Woodstock Marian for the Regional Final on Friday. Great job ladies!!! ~ Coach Eiss
[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 PK shootout; 0-0 Halftime and End of Regulation
Team Record: 12-4-6 Overall; 6-0-2 NIC-9
met, and walking into a "hostile" environment in that it was literally a home game for the opponent was somewhat of an unique test as well. The game
had all the billings of a great matchup... Woodstock Marian with an impressive 15-4-1 record, having gotten shortended in the seeding meeting, and
with 10 seniors leading the team, we eager to prove they deserved more respect and were out to see to it that they move on. Our ladies seemed ready
for the challenge and so the match began immediately with a battle. The conditions were much more favorable than the previous match and now that
the ladies had a chance to get to know the pitch, the field was less of a concern. The flat back 3 formation with an offside trap that the ladies prepared
against with Marian was a problem at times, but the ladies were prepared to face it. The chances were there for the girls to take the early lead on an
open goal miss and a couple other chances that went beckoning, but the half ended 0-0. The second half saw more opportunities for the ladies to
capitalize but only to be denied by a unjust bounce and a last minute touch of the keeper's glove, both on attempts from junior Kate Young.
Unfortunately, the result was stand and this meant the game came down to sudden-death overtime... first team to score wins the match. The first
overtime period saw two quality opportunities for both teams, as goalkeeper Courtney Shelton stopped two point blank shots in the closing minutes;
the second half saw Hononegah unable to put the game away after numerous chances at goal. This would mean the game would now be decided on
Penalty Kicks. Having been in two shootouts already this season, the coaching staff felt very confident in our ability to maintain our poise in the PK
shootout. Kickers Danielle Mathieu, Tiphanie Truax, Ana Hayes, Becca Marion, and Taylor Giedd had all proven themselves capable and confident in
this situation so off they were sent to secure the victory for us. The last kick for insurance would be awarded to Courtney Shelton in case it went to
sudden-death penalties. As it played out, two chances were missed/blocked by both teams and the 1st round ended 3-3. Sudden death it was!
Knowing how close Courtney had come to saving the last kick in the 1st round, I was confident that the moment would be ALL hers... and sure enough,
a monster save by Court set up her glorious last kick that would send us through to the Sectional semifinal on Tuesday!!! What a dramatic game, one
that could have been won in regulation, but as true to the rest of the year, the ladies had to make it quite interesting!!! Well done girls... amazing!!
Special shoutout to Captain Courntey Shelton for her heroics on this night!!!! Off to face Sycamore in the Sectional semifinal on Tuesday at the Harlem
Sectional. ~ Coach Eiss
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