Memorable, magical moments will ultimately define Hersey's season

The bitterness will linger awhile before it fades and is eventually replaced by better memories.

Which is how it should be since Hersey's girls soccer program has never been in a better place.

The ending was bitter as Hersey's best season ever wasn't finished until Carmel standout Sara Petermann completed a hat trick and a 3-1 victory with 30 seconds to play in Monday night's supersectional at Buffalo Grove.

And Carmel will join the Class AA Elite Eight for the first time this weekend instead of Hersey.

"I hope this doesn't define us," Hersey coach Brad Abel said of the team's third loss in 26 matches. "We had a great year and the seniors were absolutely amazing in this program."

Five seniors who all earned all-conference honors -- relentless defender Rosie White, Western Michigan-bound striker Jackie Drees, forward Sarah Stoltzner, midfielder Chelsea Santora and defender Amanda Slove -- brought a different definition to the Hersey program.

Champions.

For the first time in the Mid-Suburban League.

For the first time in a regional against a perennially powerful Lake Zurich program.

For the first time in a sectional -- in heart-stopping penalty kicks to beat perennial power Fremd for a third time in one season.

And the school got swept up in the excitement with tremendous student turnouts and another large contingent on hand on a Memorial Day holiday at Buffalo Grove.

The Huskies had high hopes of leaving there with another unfamiliar piece of hardware to add to their trophy case.

They were also up against a Carmel team in a familiar place after losing 3-1 to Fremd in the supersectional last year.

And Carmel delivered a jolt just six-plus minutes in when Petermann drilled a free kick from 25 yards.

"The free kick killed us," Abel said. "I don't think we were able to recover and it's been awhile since we haven't had the lead."

Hersey did answer as sophomore Kathryn Korff continued her magic of finding the net in every postseason match.

But Petermann was eventually racing down the left side toward her match-winning goal and 36th of the season.

"We had trouble with their speed, without a doubt," Abel said. "(Petermann and Kassidy Brown) are phenomenal players.

"We haven't seen anyone that fast and they gave us a little bit of trouble."

Hersey's last quality chance came with about three minutes left when junior standout Kristen Gierman's free kick bounced around in close and White's shot was deflected out of danger.

So close to the Elite Eight for a program that has come so far.

"We did it for each other," a devastated White said of this season's incredible run. "That's all you can do."

And that's why Hersey did so much in a magical season.