Rosary's quick goal not enough in sectional loss

Rosary could not have envisioned a quicker start to its second consecutive sectional semifinal berth at Hampshire Tuesday afternoon.

Senior Jessica Janota blocked a Sycamore clearing pass on the Spartans' opening possession deep in their end, caught up with the ricochet and beat the Sycamore keeper with a 20-yard left-footed runner.

Unfortunately for the Royals, its lead 20 seconds into the Class 2A soccer match would be all the offense the squad would muster against the reigning state semifinalist.

Sycamore scored twice in the last two and half minutes of the opening half and added an insurance goal midway through the second half to secure a 3-1 victory.

Rosary had its season come to a close at 11-8-2; Sycamore improved to 17-6-2.

"I was surprised to get (the score) so early in the game," said Janota, who returned to the Royals' lineup after playing club soccer the last two seasons. "I played it well."

The complexion of the match changed dramatically in the last three minutes of the first half, and Rosary would never be able to regain its lost early momentum.

Sycamore junior Rachel Stueber was at the forefront of the match-changing twin developments that closed out the crucial stretch.

In the first instance, Stueber found a crease along the left side and exploited it brilliantly with a perfect chip feed that freshman Lauren Miller buried effortlessly.

"I kind of mentally knew the goal was open," Stueber said. "A perfect volley on the part (of Miller). I was just hoping one of my teammates would be there."

The Spartans' equalizer with 2 minutes, 29 seconds to play before the intermission soon became the appetizer for Stueber, who beat the Rosary defense from point-blank range with four-tenths of a second to play before halftime.

"I usually don't use my left foot," the right-footed Stueber said.

Rosary was unable to match the Spartans' intensity to start the second half, either.

Sycamore had 7 shots before Rosary registered its first offense after the intermission, but Rivera came up with a pair of huge goals to keep the Royals within striking distance.

Janota had the Royals' best opportunity to score 15 minutes into the second half; the senior recruit for Illinois Wesleyan fired a low runner that Sarah Fischer stoned with a diving sprawl.

"The goalie made a good save," Janota said. "It was a good play on both ends."

With 17 minutes to play, Miller iced the match with a right-to-left bender from 25 yards out for her second goal.

"There's not much we could do about that," Rosary coach Kevin Callaghan said of lone second-half score. "It was a great shot. I think (the players) were a little tired. That's no excuse for this level of competition. We have to be ready at all times."