Girls soccer: Michaels achieves goal as Antioch advances
All season long, talented and spirited sophomore Gabby Michaels had been looking to find the back of the net for Antioch's girls soccer team- a quest that eluded her several times despite chances in the regular season.
It seems that the postseason is perhaps better suited to Michaels.
She had the game-winning goal as seventh-seeded Antioch got past No.9 Crystal Lake Central 3-2 in a Class 2A regional semifinal in Antioch on Wednesday night.
The Sequoits (15-5-2) next meet up with second-seeded Wauconda (16-0-1) in the regional final at 11 a.m. Saturday at Antioch. The Bulldogs advanced by handling No. 15 Resurrection 7-0 in the other regional semifinal on Wednesday.
Michaels scored the game-winner in the 73rd minute, breaking a 2-2 tie. It was her first goal of the season, and it was set up by a Karly Monaco free kick.
"When (Monaco) hit that ball, I wanted to cut in behind their defense, be standing at the back post waiting," said Michaels. "I saw the ball go off the goalkeeper's hands - I just ran in and wanted to hit it in.
"It's been very tough. This whole season I've had so many opportunities, and I missed most of them. I have worked on staying over the ball and took a deep breath before I kicked it. I wanted to win for the seniors. We wanted another game. We just didn't want to lose."
Antioch rallied from a 2-1 halftime deficit.
"It's so hard to do, especially in the playoffs," Antioch coach Marni Polakow said. "We knew that we didn't have our best half, or the best game overall. But I knew we had a chance to score in the second half if we could put one in with the wind.
"This does show character, and it's special for the team."
The Sequoits evened the game at 2-2 in the 59th minute when Monaco scored on a penalty kick, after a Tigers defenders was called for handling the ball in the penalty area.
Antioch opened the scoring early in the match, as Ella Roberts hit a 25-yard strike into the corner for a 1-0 lead.
But Crystal Lake Central (7-12-2) picked up goals from Elise Olson in the 20th and 33rd minute to get Tigers ahead 2-1 going into the break.
"Obviously, the wind made it tough for both teams," Crystal Lake Central coach Sarah Fack said. "I thought we left everything on the field. It was an unfortunate result for us. I don't think it shows how well we played out there. Antioch was physical at certain points of the game. It was one of those tough games - teams will come out and capitalize on any opportunities, and they did. (Antioch) got those chances and made them count."