Girls soccer: Wheaton Academy wins state championship
Sophie Lindquist was just a preschooler when Wheaton Academy won its first girls soccer state title with Dave Underwood as coach.
When the team talked about its goal of winning another one before the start of this season, she didn't think she'd be part of such an effort since she started the year as a member of the JV squad.
In what undoubtedly was the defining moment of her time with the Warriors, Lindquist scored in the first overtime of Friday's Class 1A championship against Marian Central at North Central in Naperville and the Warriors made it hold up for a 2-1 victory.
"It was really fun. It's surreal, it was very cool," Lindquist said. "I didn't even know how huge of a possibility it was that we'd make it to the state championship so I'm just proud to be here."
Wheaton Academy (22-3-2) dominated play from start to finish, but as can be the case in soccer, that doesn't necessarily mean one team is going to pull away from the other.
The Warriors outshot Marian Central 16-2, but they were still deadlocked heading into overtime.
They had jumped on the Hurricanes early in the game, scoring just 2:01 into play when Emmerson Fuller found Gabi LaMantia.
"Throughout the whole season we've tried to get the game going right away and set the pace," LaMantia said. "Whenever we get a chance to have a set piece, we want to take advantage. Emmerson has such a great kick and I felt really good about that one."
Marian Central (14-6-2) netted the equalizer with 26:33 left in the second half as Alyssa Sutherland's beautiful header off of Karlie Blaz's corner kicker brought the teams even.
Despite dominating possession the Warriors had to start over.
"Credit to them because they were physical and aggressive and they defended extremely well," Underwood said. "All season long a benchmark for us was our forwards and our ability to get behind opposing defenses and they really limited that."
The Hurricanes couldn't limit Lindquist and Gretchen Pearson, though, with 3:53 remaining in the first overtime.
Pearson's pass caught Lindquist in stride and she buried it. Earlier she felt she missed on a couple chances, but this time she delivered, and in a massive way.
"That was incredible," Underwood said. "What was funny was that she had come off the field earlier really upset because she said she had two great chances and didn't score."
There was never any doubt that Pearson had faith in her freshman teammate.
"I dribbled it a little bit and saw Sophie running up so I sent a pass to her," Pearson said. "I knew she would finish it."
It helped the Warriors finish off an unforgettable season.
"We talked from Day One that our goal is to a win the state championship," Underwood said. "For us to achieve that goal is spectacular."
LaMantia, holding back tears, was at a loss for words afterward.
"It's really amazing to have such amazing teammates to hold you up all the time," she said. "As a senior, I couldn't ask for anything else."
Wheaton Academy, which won its third state title in program history, outscored its seven postseason opponents, 43-4 and finished undefeated in May.