Girls soccer: Geneva blanks Glenbard West for regional crown
Patience, poise and persistence finally paid off for Geneva's girls soccer team Friday night.
Held without a goal during the first 40 minutes, the top-seeded Vikings (20-1-1) remained calm, cool and collective before finally taking control midway through the second half during their 2-0 Class 3A regional championship victory over 9th-seeded Glenbard West (10-9-3) at Burgess Field.
Sophomore forward Jenna Dominguez scored a pair of goals within a 2-minute, 10-second span as the Vikings captured their second consecutive regional title and fifth in the past six years.
Geneva advances to the Hoffman Estates sectional Tuesday at 6 p.m. to face the winner of Saturday's St. Charles East vs. Conant final at Conant.
Vikings coach Megan Owens offered her team a brief history lesson during the halftime intermission.
"We talked about all the teams we've beaten and all the things we've accomplished this season," said the coach. "Our only loss coming to New Trier (1-0) - the three-time state champs. We knew we just had to maintain our composure and keep working and then it would happen."
"We started to freak out a little bit (at halftime) because of last season," said Dominguez. "We talked about staying focused and trying to finish our chances."
Dominguez, who missed a golden opportunity when her penalty kick sailed wide of the net just 4 minutes into the game, ripped a 15-yard blast into the upper corner of the net to give the Vikings a 1-0 lead in the 54th minute.
"I tried to cross it originally and then it just kind of flew in," said Dominguez, who added her second goal of the game and 18th of the season with 23:32 remaining.
"That first goal was beautiful," said Glenbard West coach Morgan Kasperek. "I don't know if we could have stopped it no matter what."
Senior keeper Emma Harkleroad made 8 saves, including a pair of solid first-half stops, as the Vikings recorded their 16th shutout in 22 games.
"It was a little intense (in the first half) but I feel like we handled the pressure well," said Harkleroad. "We were able to play with the wind against us. We're fast and I felt like that was a huge advantage for us with the wind in the second half."
It was a fitting way for Geneva's seniors - Maddy Rapach-Lagowski, Emily Hauser, Jenni Santacaterina, Molly McGavin, Leah Groven, Cali Stephenson, and Harkleroad to celebrate their home finale.
"It felt incredible to win our last game on our home field before I go off to college," said Harkleroad.
"We wanted to end on a positive note on our home field," said Owens. "We kept creating opportunities and finally put it away. They've accomplished a lot of great things this season."
The Hilltoppers' best offensive chances included a header from Bailey Wallace that was stopped by Harkleroad and a shot from Emma Burke that landed just wide of the net.
"I honestly thought in the first half we played right with them," said Kasperek. "I couldn't ask for more from this group tonight. I really thought they played one of their best games. Geneva is a great soccer team."