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Wheaton Academy, WW South share Wheaton Cup

Frustrated and satisfied? Can that be right?

At times during Saturday's soccer game between Wheaton Warrenville South and Wheaton Academy, players on both sides felt plenty of each of those emotions. And when the contest ended in a 2-2 draw, both sides had to be feeling more of the same.

Warriors sophomore Crystal Thomas, who scored a pair of pretty goals, admitted that it was tough to see the visiting Tigers (13-3-3) answer the second of Thomas' scores - late in the second half - just 21 seconds after she had broken a 1-1 tie. Not only did Nicole Lapetina's well-placed penalty kick tie the score at 2-2 with six minutes left, but it also meant the two schools ended in a tie for the Wheaton Cup and will share the annual neighborhood trophy this next year.

"It was frustrating," said Thomas, who tallied a goal in each half. "We play for victory and Wheaton South came back as soon as we scored. (The Tigers) kept their heads up. But we'll be ready next time. We'll learn from this."

What the Warriors learned in West Chicago is that they can play with the much-larger WW South soccer program. After the Tigers scored on an own goal just more than a minute into the contest, Wheaton Academy (10-3-1) not only didn't get rattled, but the hosts had a slight edge in play the rest of the first half, which ended in a 1-1 tie after Thomas notched her first goal with 7:20 left before intermission.

On the equalizer Meghan Grant flashed some fancy footwork while keeping the ball alive near the goal line and passed the ball to Thomas, who turned past a defender and rifled a shot to the upper right corner of the net past Tigers goalkeeper Kelsey Graham.

After the score remained 1-1 for more than 42 minutes of play, Thomas paired with Caley Kopp for a nice give-and-go that led to a score and the first Warriors lead of the day.

"My teammates just gave me great passes," Thomas said. "It was very important for us to keep our heads up after they scored first. We kept fighting and it paid off."

But WW South answered immediately after Thomas' second strike, driving deep into Warriors territory. When Dana Miller was taken down in the box, Lapetina left little doubt when her ensuing PK shot landed in the upper right corner outside the reach of Warriors goalkeeper Emily Mulder.

"I think that's the first time we've responded that quickly," Lapetina said. "It's obviously a good thing heading into the playoffs."

Warriors sweeper Christi Dithrich did not start because of an injury, but after sitting the first 30 minutes she entered the game and helped her team play the DVC co-leaders to a draw.

"You don't want a tie, but it was an exciting game to be a part of," Wheaton Academy coach Scott Marksberry said. "South's a good team and we were a little hobbled, so I was pleased with the performance."