Hinsdale South downs Glenbard South

Hinsdale South needed a little luck to complete a dominating performance.

The Hornets converted a penalty kick midway through the second half against an injury plagued Glenbard South for the game's only goal in the Class 2A St. Francis sectional semifinal on Wednesday.

Despite the 1-0 scoreline, the Hornets (18-6-1) didn't step off the gas pedal, keeping the Raiders - who were missing five players due to injury - locked in its defensive half thanks to a good possession game and the ability to attack on the wing.

Glenbard South (13-7-2) had one of the best chances of the first half, and its only real chance of the game in the first 10 minutes.

Senior midfielder Michaela Miglio played a ball into space for an onrushing Julia Rausch for a breakaway, but Hornets goalkeeper Jean Cote cut down the angle, forcing the ball wide.

From then on the Raiders weren't able to beat Hinsdale South's offsides trap, thanks to sweeper Sarah Warren, who had an outstanding defensive performance for her side.

"I think we had more pressure most of the time but they're dangerous. up front, but we have Sarah in the back and Sarah can run people down," said Hornets coach Pat Wolf. "(She's a) smart player back there. She's a really good communicator."

The only thing that was missing for Hinsdale South's plethora of chances was a goal.

Tess Sobol and Cali Vanderplow came close a couple of times in the first half coming from the wing but couldn't get enough shot power to trouble Raiders goalkeeper Jackie Wescott.

The Hornets found their goal in the second half after continually putting pressure on the Glenbard South backline.

Once again coming from the wing, midfielder Michelle Blecha put a cross in that hit a Glenbard South defender in the hand, earning a penalty kick.

Senior captain Mary Claire Ladd stepped up and confidently slotted her shot into the bottom right corner just past a diving Wescott, who came up afterward with an injury.

"She actually had that save, but her leg cramped on the drive and she didn't get there," said Glenbard South coach Glen Eggert. "She had it guessed right but she just didn't get the extension she would normally. So she would have typically made that but she got the cramp right after she drove that leg, so that was unfortunate."