Focused St. Viator advances to sectional
Unable to completely forget about a heartbreaking loss two years ago in the sectionals to Deerfield, St. Viator captains Kayne Stanley and Lauren Kohn made sure their younger teammates knew exactly how painful it was to concede 3 late goals in a 4-3 loss to end their 2013 girls soccer season.
So when Ashley Anne Steadman gave the Lions (16-3-0) a 2-goal advantage 12 minutes from time against the same Deerfield program, the Lions' two captains made sure their team stayed focused. The result was a 2-0 Lions victory, sending St. Viator into its own Class 2A sectional Wednesday night against No. 2 seed Grayslake North.
"Oh yeah, it's been a topic of conversation with all of the players who weren't around then," said Stanley, a key figure along with Kohn in this regional championship match on the turf at Adams Stadium in Deerfield.
"For us who were in that game," said Kohn, "you still remember having a big lead - then not. So we told everyone it wouldn't happen again today."
The No. 3-seeded Lions emerged this time thanks in part to a stingy backline, quality play through the middle of the park and some terrific work between the sticks from freshman Anna Johnston, whose back-to-back saves during a dangerous sequence kept Deerfield from drawing even.
"Anna doesn't play anywhere near a freshman. She's composed, athletic and is very capable of making a big save when you need it most," said St. Viator coach Mike Taylor.
In a match that opened so quickly, St. Viator seemed to weather the warm conditions well.
"That's why we kept trying to keep fresh legs out there," said Taylor. "I thought for the most part we did well with that, and except for a couple of times when I left someone in a little too long, I thought the girls held up well during a pretty intense 80 minutes of soccer."
The Warriors (15-8-2) withstood some early pressue before getting into the game with more play through standout senior center midfielder Mirelle Haas. She found Margot Sylvan at 22 minutes, but the junior was unable to get enough pace on her attempt to truly test Johnston, who saved easily.
At the tail end of the Lions best build-up thus far, which was played through Kohn, Molly Murphy and Michelle Trovato, Emma Henry went wide of keeper Sari Eisen, who was unable to control a ball inside the 6. It spilled freely to Murphy, who calmly fired past Eisen at 35 minutes to send the Lions into the break with a 1-0 lead.
"Big goal for us, yes," said Taylor. "But we created some other chances, and just didn't finish. We'll have to get better at that as the playoffs go on."
A lively second-period start from the Lions resulted in Henry stinging the gloves of Eisen with a 42nd-minute corner, beginning a dominant spurt for St. Viator.
Trovato's enterprising run pried open the Warriors in their own end but was finally thwarted by a well-timed tackle from Shae Feldman in the 56th minute.
Shortly after, Johnston made her mark on the match - first with a save against Sarah Neal, and moments later by elevating to push what seemed a sure goal from Erin Rosenzweig over the bar.
"Anna has made some amazing saves for us this season," said Stanley.
Sixty second later, Steadman gave her club some breathing room when she finished a lovely helper from Kohn.
"Two world-class saves, and some very good soccer all throughout, and we're back home at our place on Wednesday - and that's where we want to be," Taylor said.