Girls soccer: Lucier’s strike sends Barrington to sectional title
An early goal from Piper Lucier was enough to give Barrington a 1-0 sectional final victory Saturday afternoon over Lake Zurich at the host Warren Township to send the Fillies into a Tuesday supersectional against Libertyville at 4 p.m. at Barrington Community Field.
The Marquette University-bound Lucier bagged the eventual game-winner from a near impossible angle at the near post, sending her close-range effort high into the far inside netting at seven minutes for her 19th of the season.
"We had a great warmup, and did everything we wanted to do, especially in the first 20-25 minutes, and Piper's goal got us off to the type of start that we had hoped to have," said Fillies keeper Megan Holland, who was flawless between the sticks all throughout to claim shutout No. 17.5.
"(Piper) gave us a great start and the momentum we needed against a great team like Lake Zurich," added senior Madeline Lewis.
Lewis and her midfield teammates Maddie Martin-Johnson, Gabby Masterson and Aybree (AJ) Sanchez dominated the middle of the park through countless tackles and aerial superiority that kept the Bears (17-3-2) from finding any rhythm during the first half.
"Barrington had almost all of the play in the first half (and) maybe could have put another one or two in before the break," said Bears coach Mike Castronova.
"(But) we were a different team in the second half — more energy and much better play in the midfield to help keep the ball in their end for the first 20 minutes or so."
Lucier would play a lovely ball to Gabby Masterson in the 24th minute, and if not for a wonderful save by Bears keeper Erin Bohn, it could have been a two-goal advantage for the Fillies, who are now 18-1-2 on the season.
The Bears looked in charge of this contest right from the opening whistle of the second half with Delilah Swartwood going over the bar from 16 yards, and a free kick from the top of the box from Reilly Novak blocked on the way in by Sanchez.
After staying composed to handle the pressure from their opponents, the Fillies would dodge and shimmy their way into the Bears end to claim a couple of deep throws and corners only to see Bohn save close-range efforts, or the Bears defense led by Sawyer Klein parry the ball out of danger.
"We did really well, defended all of their corners and deep throws. The one we didn't led to the only goal of the game," said Castronova.
"Last year we won so many games because we had 20 and 30 goal scorers. This year it was our defense and Erin Bohn who led the way.
"Credit Barrington. (They) are so well coached, and they play at such a high level, but it's hard to lose to them three years in a row in a sectional final."
"Our play in the first half is what helped set the tone for this game, but we got away from what we do in the second half. Some of that of course was the way Lake Zurich played as well," said Fillies coach Ryan Stengren.
This is Barrington’s 20th sectional title in program history, fifth straight, and 16th in the career for Stengren.