Heatherly, Naperville Central defeat Naperville North in 2 OTs

If Naperville Central were going to score, it would probably be off a restart.

True to form, that's exactly what the Redhawks did, defeating cross-town rival Naperville North 1-0 in the second overtime Friday at the Class 3A Naperville North regional final.

Taylor Heatherly scored the game-winner in the 94th minute on a free kick from 44 yards out.

"It's kind of ironic, because for the past, I think, my entire high school career I've always hit balls like that over," the senior said. "So my only thought was I don't care where it goes, just don't hit it over because I knew he" - Heatherly said pointing with her thumb over her left shoulder toward coach Ed Watson - "would totally yell at me.

"He said that (Naperville North goalkeeper Ellie Flessner) was looking into sun so I really tried to focus on getting over the ball, I guess."

Watson called the shot a goalkeeper's nightmare.

"It stays at the top of the bar, and she hits the ball so hard that I wouldn't want to be the goalkeeper making the decision with the sun of what to do," Watson said.

"The shot from distance is a tough ball to handle," Huskies coach Brent Terada said, "but she consistently hits the ball like that. That goal was not a fluke."

Flessner got a hand to it, but it hit the crossbar and bounced barely in.

"Thank you whatever power is out there," Heatherly joked.

The game was a typically physical match between the two archrivals, with neither team getting many good scoring chances. The Redhawks nearly had a goal in the fourth minute when Gina Maddi hit the right post, and the Huskies' Zoe Swift sent a header on frame in the 35th minute, but Redhawks defender Sally Stocchero saved it off the line.

It was a tough way to lose for Naperville North (13-7-2), which probably could have won a regional title in any other sectional in the state.

The Redhawks (16-2-5) advance to host Waubonsie Valley in Tuesday's sectional semifinals.