Girls soccer roundup: Leon’s hat trick leads St. Charles East to regional crown; SCN, Hinsdale Central among other regional winners
St. Charles East sophomore Mya Leon continued to extend her school record for goals in a season as she earned a hat trick to lead the Saints to a 5-1 victory over Bartlett to win the Class 3A St. Charles East regional.
Sophia Wollenberg also scored twice as the Saints improved to 19-0-5.
“Mya continues to impact matches in big moments,” Saints coach Vince DiNuzzo said. “The players we have on the team is a big reason she is having so much success. The entry balls, through balls and visions from (Lilli) Margewich and (Anika) Dodrill, were spot on today."
Mia Olenek made six saves and had an assist. Dodrill, Margewich, Strotkamp and Leon also had assists.
“It is always special to lift a plaque and we do not take these opportunities lightly,” DiNuzzo said. “The girls are playing really well and we are excited about the opportunity to compete next week.”
The Saints, who have won 13 straight regional titles, will meet St. Charles North on Tuesday in the sectional semifinals back at St. Charles East.
The North Stars (8-6-4) traveled to the Class 3A West Chicago regional title game and beat the host Wildcats 3-0.
Madi Shanahan’s 30-yard free kick gave the North Stars a 1-0 lead. They wouldn’t need any more offense but picked up a pair of insurance goals.
Hinsdale Central (15-6-1) received three goals from Chloe Fisher and two more from Piper Bingham to win its regional 5-1 over Downers Grove South.
“What a great day for soccer,” Red Devils coach Tony Madonia said. “Downers Grove South has a great coaching staff from their freshman coaches all the way to their varsity coach, (Chris) Hernandez, who just got his 100th win this season. They worked hard, and were a respectable opponent. Congrats to them on a great season.”
Emily DiTomasso had two assists and Gabby Gjeldum, Chloe Fisher and Bingham also had assists.
“What a great performance from the entire roster today,” Madonia said. “A lot of players stood out today. We are peaking at the right time. Chloe Fisher scored three, (all-stater) Emily DiTomasso assists and defended unbelievably, (all-sectional) Piper Bingham (West Point) scores two and assists. Even Gabby Gjeldum our goalkeeper, assisted a goal and did not allow any. Our backline and both goalkeepers had great performances. Captain Addie Krogstie, all- sectional player Sloane Kumskis, Hinsdale Central athlete of the year and captain Adriana Giannini, all were outstanding.”
Over in the Class 2A in the Wheaton Academy regional final, the host Warriors (13-5-5) survived Riverside-Brookfield 2-1.
“We are thrilled with the resilience we displayed today,” Warriors coach Maria Selvaggio said. “We had a great game and played smart and composed, possessed the ball very well and created a lot of great chances in front of the goal. Our defense played gritty and cleaned everything up except for one moment. Kudos to Riverside-Brookfield for battling like you should in a regional final. Both teams played very hard and with conviction.”
Selvaggio called the game-winner “a great moment of composure and poise by Addey Nielson to slot the ball perfectly to Gianna Hughes, and a smooth finish by Gianna to bury her breakaway.”
“I’m so proud of all of our girls,” Selvaggio said. “Our backline was led by Paige Wolgemuth, Whitley Fallow, Hailey Weston, and Aubrey Barnett. Our goalkeeper Norah Pennings was a huge presence as well. We are excited for our girls to get to play again Monday in the sectional semifinal (against Nazareth at St. Francis).”
Geneva (13-6-1) received two huge saves from goalkeeper Skyla Rothaar to keep Plainfield East off the scoreboard as the Vikings prevailed 2-0.
Bridget Burke and Lila Clemons scored and Claire Reeve had two assists.
“The girls put together a fantastic 80 minutes of soccer,” Vikings coach Megan Owens said. “Our offense created a multitude of scoring opportunities in the box, our midfield connected well and controlled the run of play, especially in the second half, and our defense did a fantastic job of shutting down their most dangerous player and eliminating other goal-scoring opportunities. The girls played together as one with grit and heart and I couldn’t be prouder of them."
In a pair of Class 1A regional finals of note, Harvest Westminster dropped a 6-0 to host Richmond-Burton and Westmont dropped a 4-0 game to host Trinity.