In shootout, Allen, Mundelein finally stop Carmel
Keeper Nikki Allen was the penalty shootout hero Tuesday night.
No. 12-seed Mundelein (12-8-2) held its collective nerve together to defeat its cross-town rival - No. 5 Carmel - 1-0 in a spectacular regional opener at Palatine.
The Mustangs, who advanced to Friday's final against No. 4 Fremd, prevailed 3-2 on spot kicks after 120 minutes had failed to produce a goal. The dramatic finish enabled the Mustangs to snap a three-year losing streak to the Corsairs (16-4-1).
"Finally," said Mustangs coach Dave Ekstrom immediately after Allen had denied both Kassidy Brown and Lauren Bowles, before the Corsairs' Lauren Lehman struck her attempt up and over the woodwork to start a mad celebration by the Mustangs and their fans.
"I really thrive on pressure, but I have to admit to having butterflies all throughout the match because of how big a match this was and how hard both sides were playing all night," Allen said.
Carmel enjoyed the better of the play from the onset with a rampant attack that appeared ready to put this match away early.
But after absorbing the first 10 minutes of pressure, the Mustangs settled in and slowly began to narrow the gap in possession near the half-hour mark.
Brown unloaded a missile at Allen at 11 minutes, the Corsairs' best chance of the first half.
Carmel keeper Maddie Allen pushed a Gabby Will drive around the post just before intermission.
After the break, each side turned up the energy and urgency to strike first, which would lead to plenty of terrific play on both sides of the ball from each club. The action featured memorable efforts from players such as Carmel's Alex Hauserl and Mundelein sweeper Michelle Rowley, who stood out as the team leaders and elite players.
With time ebbing away in regulation, each side had countless chances to break the scoreless match.
The Corsairs dominated the final 10 minutes before OT but were unable to dent the net. Jackie Janssen and Lehman got close but could not score.
It was more of the same in the first extra period for the Corsairs, until a long ball by the Mustangs' Kim Carroll slipped through to find Will. If not for an alert and quick retrieval by Ogrino, Will would have had an open net.
Carroll, Nathalie Mathis and Ashley Begrowicz easily converted in the shootout to help the Mustangs build a 3-1 lead.
"In my first three years (here) Carmel had ended our season, it felt great to finally put an end to that," Allen said.
"Tonight was just a great high school soccer match by two very good clubs," Ekstrom said. "It's just a shame that someone walked out of here with a loss."