Girls soccer: Eventually, New Trier denies Prospect
New Trier, the top seed in the Glenbrook North sectional, survived a serious examination of their title credentials in the early going.
That was before the Trevians struck for 4 first-half goals to sink No. 8 seed Prospect on Friday night in a Class 3A girls soccer regional final at chilly George Gattas Memorial Stadium in Mt. Prospect.
The defending 3A state champs won their 21st consecutive regional title and a place in next week's sectional semifinals, where they will face either the host Spartans or its long-time rival Glenbrook South at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday.
"It was nice to get the win, but we better come out a lot better than we did tonight," said New Trier junior Nicile Kaspi, who steered in two marvelous one-timers, the first coming when the Trevians (20-2-1) broke open a close match at the half-hour.
"We didn't match the energy Prospect brought in the first 10-15 minutes," said New Trier coach Jim Burnside, "and it cost us. Give them credit, because they showed they wanted to come out and play right from the start."
Sharp on the counter-attack, the Knights (8-10-2) used one up the right side which saw Aly Kolber create a corner, and Shawna Stokes finished the chance by thumping her low drive past keeper Katy Symanietz in the 13th minute.
"(That) goal gave us a lot of confidence, but when New Trier responded a few minutes later to equalize, all that confidence and momentum we had disappeared," said Prospect coach Tom Froats.
The measured play of the Trevians in the first-quarter hour was hence replaced by a more frenetic approach. New Trier got the next four goals - Sydney Park on a long free kick, followed by goals from Hope Baisley, Kaspi and Whitney Hoban, who slotted in a crowd just three minutes before the break.
"That goal before the half could have done us in, but credit our girls for not hanging their heads, and playing with a lot of pride and heart in that second half, which helped us put another in to make it interesting once again," said Froats.
Froats' team showed some life in the attack just before Jalyn Mosley pulled one back in the 64th minute to make it 4-2.
The Mosley goal was inspired by some good work from sophomore Ella Marzolf as well as Faith Fitzsimmons. But when a sublime touch on a half-volley by Kaspi made it 5-2 in the 71st minute, the hopes of coming all the way back ended for Prospect.
Senior Sam Urban put the finishing touches on the Trevians' victory.
"For a while tonight we played one of the best teams in the state very well, and that's something this team should be very happy with," said Froats. "I know that's the way I feel."
Libertyville 2, Fremd 0: The sixth-seeded Wildcats claimed a Class 3A regional title by topping host Fremd.
The same scoring combination worked twice for Libertyville, as Maddie Olson scored both goals with assists from Makenna Yoor.
Libertyville (11-4-1) advances to Tuesday's sectional semifinal at Warren against the host Blue Devils, who handled Stevenson 3-0 on Friday.
Third-seeded Fremd ended its season at 15-5-1.
Barrington 4, Mundelein 0: The top seed in the Warren sectional scored once in the first half and got three more late in the second half to advance to the sectional semifinal round.
Barrington (23-1-0), the Mid-Suburban League champion, advances to meet Lake Zurich at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Warren.
St. Viator 2, Grayslake North 0: The Lions got a pair of second-half goals to claim a Class 2A regional championship on their own field by eliminating the No. 4 seed Knights.
Maureen McGrath and Felicia Moncada scored for fifth-seeded St. Viator.
The Lions next play at 5 p.m. Tuesday in the semifinals of the Deerfield sectional against the winner of Saturday's matchup between Prairie Ridge and Lakes.