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Girls soccer: Willows Academy stops Christian Liberty

Goals on both sides of the half, the second just moments into the second period, plus a water-tight back line helped give top seed Willows Academy a 2-0 victory over Christian Liberty Academy to capture a Class 1A girls soccer regional title in Arlington Heights on Friday.

With its first regional crown in two years and sixth in program history, the Eagles (11-6-2) advance into Tuesday's sectional semifinal at Marian Central in Woodstock against Elgin's Harvest Christian Academy.

"We've been working on our shooting the past week, and it looks like it really helped us get a very nice win today," said Eagles coach Amy McMahon. "We got off to a great start today with that early goal. I thought that helped us dominate a lot of the play in the first half, and again in the second. And our effort from start to finish was exactly what we wanted to do in order to win this game."

Christian Liberty goalkeeper Becky Davis turned in a terrific performance for the host Chargers to finish up a strong sophomore season.

"Coach (Aaron DeRidder) told us after the game that we left it all out there today, and couldn't play any harder than we did," said Davis. "But the toughest thing about this loss is it was the last game for our seniors."

Willows went ahead at seven minutes when Alexandra Fischer redirected past Davis with a wonderful touch in close after getting a helper from Hannah Kiernan.

"That first goal set the pace for the entire game," said Willows' Mandy Mongoven, who is on her way to St. Louis University next fall with plans to become a physical therapist. We talked about scoring first beforehand, and I feel like that gave us a big advantage today. We went to a new flat-back four formation this season, with the idea that we could connect with our midfield much better playing that way, and it's worked really well for us, especially today."

After the Fischer goal, there was plenty of one-way traffic going for the visitors, who put the Chargers (7-6-0) under pressure with their pace and energy. But DeRidder's back line led by senior Cassie Swiderek did not break again during the first period to help keep the home side withing striking distance.

"(They) had most of the run of play, but despite being in our end all throughout that first half they really only had one or two quality chances, and the reason for that was the desire and hard work our defense gave us, as well as our midifield, who worked just as hard," said DeRidder.

Willow struck again as Fischer and Kiernan fund their way through, this time with Kiernan, a sophomore, finding the back of the net as the Eagles' outside backs kept the ball in the mix long enough to generate the chance in the 42nd minute.

The Chargers' best opportunity in the first quarter-hour of the second period came when a terrific early ball over the top from Maddie Bennett nearly put leading scorer Valerie Karr in on Willows keeper Liz Stangel. But Stangel, sensing trouble before it happened, came off her line quickly enough to win the 50-50 challenge.

Fischer could have made it 3-0 in the 62nd minute with a sensational side half-volley which rattled off the bar.

The Chargers did their best to find their attacking midfielders, Bennett and Sam Amedin, as they attempted to take a bite out of the 2-goal advantage . But Eagles senior Stephanie Sommers, who won nearly every first and second midfield ball, always seemed to be there to slow the Chargers' progress.

"It was one of those days when we just couldn't put one into the back of the net, and (Willows) did when they had the opportunity to do so - so hats off to them for their victory," said DeRidder. "But the same to my team, who I am so proud of for their effort today, and what they have given to the program this season."

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