Wave regional champ again
It was as impressive as it was improbable.
After reaching the state quarterfinals in Class A last season, six starters graduated from the St. Edward girls soccer program. Not surprisingly, the youth-infused Green Wave struggled against a top-notch, regular-season schedule this year and entered the Class 1A Westminster Christian as the No. 4 seed with a record of 5-11-2.
But a 6-1 victory against Woodlands Academy and a 4-1 win over top-seeded Willows Academy signaled a playoff rebirth.
With three freshmen and three sophomores in the starting lineup on Tuesday, St. Edward emerged as regional champions with an impressive 3-0 victory over No. 3 Genoa-Kingston (11-11-2).
St. Edward (8-11-2) advances to Friday's 7 p.m. Rockford Christian sectional semifinal against Rockford Lutheran, which defeated host Harvard 6-1 Tuesday.
Was St. Edward simply too young to know any better? Freshman Paige Gannon described it best: "It's not about just freshmen and sophomores; It's the whole team," she said. "That's what gets us that far - that we play as a team. It's not what class you're in, it's what team you're on."
The Green Wave won its second straight regional title on the strength of a goal and 2 assists by senior Brittany Brozek and, a goal and an assist from junior Colleen Kerger and sophomore Mallory Malone's tone-setting goal in the first minute of the match.
The Wave immediately charged downfield after gaining possession and Malone took a pass from Brozek at the left edge of the penalty area. Facing the endline, Malone lofted a tough-angle shot with her left foot over the G-K goalkeeper 37 seconds into the match to stake St. Edward to a 1-0 lead.
Brozek made it 2-0 five minutes into the second half. Standing in the box, the senior booted home a cross from freshman Jordyn Madden.
"It was perfect," Brozek said of Madden's pass. "All I had to do was tap it in."
Senior goalkeeper Taylor Hunsberger kept it 2-0 by stopping the Cogs' best scoring opportunity of the day, a point-blank chance by Kristin Orozco with 20:35 left to play.
"My heart was racing," Hunsberger said. "I just got my hand under it. Luckily, it was there in time. I was definitely pumped from that point."
Kerger iced the victory with 9:45 to play, when Brozek put a corner kick right on her foot in front of the Genoa-Kingston keeper.
Gannon was a key figure in the win. She marked 23-goal scorer Kathryn Graff, holding the senior scoreless on 3 shots. Graff had scored at least 1 goal in nine straight games.
"We talked to Paige about keeping (Graff) outside, keeping her under control, don't let her use her speed on you - slide," said St. Edward coach Tim Brieger, who also complimented the defensive play of stopper Enza Ranallo and sweeper Maggie Duggan. "She's just outstanding. She's the type of player that whatever the team needs she'll do."