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Girls soccer: Wheaton Academy places second after title game decided in penalties

When regulation time and two overtime periods in the Class 2A girls soccer championship game ended in a scoreless draw, the outcome became a game of chance.

This time the chances didn't favor Wheaton Academy.

Troy Triad won a seven-round marathon shootout 5-4 to win its second state championship and deny the Warriors' bid for back-to-back crowns.

The loss ended Wheaton Academy's quest to become just the second school to win state titles in two different classes in consecutive years. The Warriors won Class 1A last season.

"We're very proud of the girls," Wheaton Academy coach Jeff Brooke said. "They battled hard, they believed in each other.

"We wanted to get better each and every day. We're thrilled that we got to play to the very last day and play in the game that really matters."

The Warriors (21-6) needed 12 rounds of penalty kicks to get past Lemont 1-0 in Friday's semifinals. That effort took a lot out of them.

"It was both physically and psychologically (tough) because we had played 100 minutes and then gone to (13) PKs and then to do it again (today) was hard," Pearson said. "But we have each other.

"Yesterday our coach told us we were only allowed to rejoice for two hours before focusing on our game for today and I think we all came mentally prepared. We were willing to push our bodies to whatever we needed to do."

Pearson, a Davidson-bound senior, had an opportunity to score with 35:30 left in the second half. Triad goalkeeper Mercedes King was caught out of position on A.C. Hardy's corner kick, but the shot went over the crossbar.

"I honestly don't know what happened," Pearson said. "I was just going up to hit it and I guess my foot was a little too high up."

Eight minutes later, Teevans had a breakaway in the right side of the box but King came out and smothered the shot.

"She came out hard and I could have taken a little touch to the outside," Teevans said. "That's one I'll regret."

But there were no regrets after the shootout, which saw the Warriors battle back twice from deficits after missing their first two attempts high.

Maggie Liechty, Emmerson Fuller, Pearson and Teevans converted to put Wheaton Academy ahead 4-3, but Sierra Schlemmer tied it for Triad (22-6) and, after King stopped Holland Kosiek, Jody Ellis scored to give the Knights the win.

"It was a team effort," Teevans said. "It was no one's fault. Sometimes that's just how it goes.

"Of course we would love to be the first-place team right now, but I wouldn't trade getting first place to not being on this team. I would pick the friendships and relationships I would make over a state championship any day."

It was the sixth state trophy in program history - and first runner-up finish - for the Warriors, who nearly won their fourth state title.

"That's a really good team we lost to," Brooke said. "I don't know if too many people thought we'd be back here after moving up a class. We had great group of 12 seniors that guided the way."

  Wheaton Academy's Emmerson Fuller and Holland Kosiek react after getting their second-place medals after losing to Troy Triad in the Class 2A State Championship game at North Central College in Naperville. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Wheaton Academy's Sarah Brcka controls the ball against Troy Triad's Eryn Fanning in the Class 2A State Championship game at North Central College in Naperville. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Wheaton Academy's Erin Teevans tries to control the ball while surrounded by Troy Triad players in the Class 2A State Championship game at North Central College in Naperville. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Wheaton Academy's Izzy McNally covers her face after the Warriors were defeated by Troy Triad in the Class 2A State Championship game at North Central College in Naperville. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Wheaton Academy teammates surround goalkeeper Marta Oster as Troy Triad celebrates the Class 2A State Championship after a double-overtime shootout game at North Central College in Naperville. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Wheaton Academy's Sophie Lindquist and Troy Triad's Sydney Beach compete for a header in the Class 2A State Championship game at North Central College in Naperville. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Wheaton Academy's Sarah Brcka misses a corner kick that sailed over the defense of Troy Triad goalkeeper Mercedes King in the Class 2A State Championship game at North Central College in Naperville. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Wheaton Academy goalkeeper Marta Oster applauds the effort of teammate Izzy McNally in the Class 2A State Championship game against Troy Triad at North Central College in Naperville. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
  Wheaton Academy's Gretchen Pearson keeps the ball away from Troy Triad's Madeline Keller in the corner in the Class 2A State Championship game at North Central College in Naperville. John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.com
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