Girls soccer: Deerfield wraps up with runner-up state finish

It was a season to remember for Deerfield's girls soccer team. A conference championship, school record for victories and berth in the state championship game.

The Warriors finished up as the state runner-up, as they were shut out by Rochester 4-0 in the Class 2A championship game at North Central College in Naperville on Saturday.

"Number one, that was the best team that we've played all year," Deerfield coach Rich Grady said. "Number two, I'm proud of my team. (Rochester) was really, really good. We had an idea what they were going to do. But they were faster and better than we were.

"We did a lot of things that nobody has ever done at the school before, and I love coaching this group."

The Warriors (22-7-1) had their chances throughout the game, twice knocking shots off the crossbar and once hitting a ball off the post. But behind 30-goal scorers Amanda Williams and Becca Jostes, the Rockets (25-1) were too much to handle.

"Their passing and off-the-ball movement was outstanding," Grady said. "Unless you get your defensive positioning just right, they're going to expose you."

Rochester was playing in its their third straight championship game. The Rockets played their last two in Class 1A and, by one student, moved up to Class 2A this year. They lost in the title game two years ago to Manteno and won it last year over Latin 6-1.

On Saturday, Rochester had to deal with a Deerfield team that had played a predominantly Class 3A schedule and hadn't let up more than two goals in a game all season.

"You're always worried about facing a team like Deerfield," Rochester coach Chad Kutscher said. "Deerfield had a heck of a team. I saw the scores they had all season. They played one heck of schedule. To have the record they had and to get to this point, you have to respect all and fear none.

"I think our experience helped. When you've been in a state title game and most of your starting lineup has been in a championship game, it makes a huge difference."

Rochester scored twice in the first half. Baylee Smith headed in a Williams corner in the 24th minute. Nine minutes later, Jostes made a move between defenders, found space and fired in a shot off a pass from Williams.

Williams added the two other goals, three minutes apart, off passes from Maisyn Garland.

"A lot of people never thought we would this far," Deerfield senior Enya Horgan said. "At the beginning of the year, the seniors set a goal of getting past the sectional and going to state. That we made it here is such an accomplishment. Everybody worked their butts off to get here."