Girls tennis: West Aurora's Goheen takes 2nd in state
Following her second consecutive berth to the Class 2A girls tennis state title match, West Aurora senior Maria Goheen geared up for her final high school match against Lake Forest sophomore Kiley Rabjohns.
The field of competitors remaining in the final day of the championship series moved back to the outdoors. The way the lack of real estate mattered in the Friday indoor portion of the tournament, the wind was an issue for all contenders Saturday morning.
With advantage deuce scoring reactivated in state play, Goheen battled, but ultimately fell to the Scout sophomore, 6-3, 6-3.
"Weather was a big effect (Saturday)," Goheen said. "(Rabjohns) played better in the wind. I wish today was indoors with the conditions. I have played (Rabjohns) before but that was a long time ago. I knew she was good and I didn't know what was going to happen."
This was Goheen's first loss in nearly two years and it happened at the end of this year's installment of the tournament. Goheen didn't lose in 2017 with doubles partner Elizabeth Stefanic, but she was bested twice as a singles player against 2017 Class 2A champion Kolie Allen from Glenbard East.
Prior to her runner-up finish, Goheen tallied wins against Stevenson's Ellen Ma (6-0, 6-1), Elk Grove's Jovana Vujanic (6-2, 6-2) and Schaumburg's Emma Tatar on Thursday (6-4, 6-2), and Hinsdale Central's Olivia Oosterbaan (6-2, 7-6, 10-7) and Rockford Auburn's Belen Nevenhoven (2-6, 6-4, 6-4) on Friday.
Goheen wraps up her career as state doubles champion, a three-time state qualifier, a state runner-up in singles, a three-time sectionals champion, an Upstate Eight Conference champion and a Catholic Athletic Conference champion.
"Maria (Goheen) is one of the historical greats of West (Aurora) High tennis and we have a really good tradition," said West Aurora coach Bruce Fraser. "With this type of wind, you need to be resilient and I think she handled it really well."
Goheen transferred schools from Rosary after her freshman year. As a frosh player, Goheen qualified for state, was seeded 9-16 and won three matches in 2015. Goheen didn't play high school tennis as a sophomore.
Goheen's runner-up showing is the highest singles player finish from West Aurora since Michelle Matko in 1997.
The West Aurora standout is not finished in tennis by any means. Goheen (35-1) is bringing her talents to West Point as she has committed to compete on Army's courts in 2019.
"Maria is a really smart player," Fraser said. "I learn from her. When I'm coaching, most times I'll ask her questions to prompt her. She's so experienced that she takes care of herself. I just try to reinforce the plans. Singles (play) is her bread and butter."
"I'll miss the team, the coaches and the environment of high school tennis," Goheen said.