Girls soccer: St. Edward snags 1A regional crown

The St. Edward girls soccer team ended its regional drought Saturday when the Green Wave defeated Elgin city rival and No. 4 seed Westminster Christian 7-1 to win the Class 1A Cristo Rey St. Martin regional final in Waukegan.

It's the Wave's sixth regional title in 8 years and eighth overall in 11 years. But this year's was a testament to say the least after St. Edward battled injuries in 2017 and played its first game of this season on April 2, nearly 5 weeks ago.

"If you had asked me (weeks ago) when I had no games in the books we'd be talking in a month you're going to be conference champion and regional champion and only have five losses, you're crazy," said Wave coach Tim Brieger, whose last regional win came in 2015.

"Last year with consistency we were putting in a new starting lineup it seemed like every game so this is kind of nice and it helps tremendously. I think we're seeing the dividends of last year."

Madison Knott and Rachel Martini powered the Wave (15-5-1), who accounted for 6 of the 7 St. Edward goals. Knott totaled 4 and Martini tallied 2. Madalynn Duffy, who also assisted, scored 1 goal as the Wave exploded for 5 in the second half. Maddie Ellsworth totaled 2 assists and Yssa Sto. Domingo and Katie Ellsworth each had one. Goalkeeper Mariel Franco made 4 saves for the Wave, who advanced to the Class 1A Johnsburg sectional Wednesday to face No. 3 seed Regina Dominican in one semifinal at 4:30 p.m.