Tigers get goal in OT to edge Dukes in regional finals
By Bill Hupp
For as exciting a game as Friday’s regional title clash between York and Wheaton Warrenville South was, it was decided by a moment that felt almost anticlimactic.
An own goal by the Dukes off a cross played in by WW South’s Caroline Holmes provided the lone score the Tigers would need as they captured the Class 3A York Regional title 1-0 in double overtime.
The winning goal came just after the start of the second overtime. The Tigers (14-5-2) executed a nice play that saw a long ball played down the right wing, which was knocked out by York (14-5-2).
On the subsequent throw-in, Holmes chipped a ball toward goal, looking for a teammate. Instead, it unexpectedly glanced off a York defender who had gotten turned around, caught York goalie Annabelle Landsdowne leaning the wrong way and trickled in at the near post.
The crowd reaction was a little delayed because no one had any idea how the Tigers had scored.
“Ninety percent of goals are scored in the vital area, so we try to tell our kids to play the ball in because you never know what might happen once it’s there,” WW South Coach Guy Callipari said.
“At the end of the day, I thought we were deserving of the victory given that we had created more opportunities in the final third (of the pitch).”
In the first half, it looked like York was going to easily defend their home turf and take home a regional crown.
The Dukes strung passes together and dominated possession as West Virginia-bound Bryce Banuelos was distributing the ball out wide beautifully to teammates Judith Flores, Lizzy Akre, Annalisa Lapo and Alyssa Kovatchis for dangerous crosses in.
Still, the Dukes just couldn’t find that finishing shot to test WW South goalie Abbey Fuster. Kovatchis was one of a few Dukes who seemed willing to let it rip from 30-40 yards out, but Fuster always saw it cleanly.
“I think we did a pretty good job of possessing the ball and they were defending with all 11 players,” York Coach Krzysztof Halupka said. “But time of possession with the ball doesn’t score goals and we had a few great chances.
“The goal {in overtime) was unfortunate, but that’s soccer - it happens. It’s just unfortunate to end our season on this note because we thought we could have gone further.”
With 6:16 left before halftime, it was WW South who nearly took the lead against the run of play. A.J. Jakuszewski took a pass outside the box and fought through three York defenders before trying to chip Lansdowne.
Her attempt had the keeper beat, but glanced off the inside of the right post and the Tigers couldn’t convert the rebound.
After playing 80 minutes of scoreless soccer in regulation, both teams had opportunities in the overtime session. WW South’s Dana Miller was denied a few times by Landsdowne, first on a right-footed shot that she punched over the net, then when she denied a left-footed Miller blast at the near post.
York’s Anne DiCanio had a clean look but rocketed her effort right at Fuster, who was up to the challenge. Then Kovatchis dragged a shot from her preferred left foot just past the right post.
Fuster was brilliant in net, unofficially making 11 saves to preserve the shutout. Her two best came off of set pieces, when York’s Angela Guerino curled in beautiful free kicks that Fuster had to get down to her right to stop them at the far post.
“She was very focused and she has been over the last several games,” Callipari said. “Being honored with all-conference gave her a boost of confidence and she’s shown great leadership.”
It’s the sixth time WW South has won a game 1-0 this season. Callipari’s young Tigers are coming together at the right time and currently on a roll, having gone 8-1-1 in their last 10 matches.
The win was Callipari’s 301st of his career, and gave the Tigers their 16th regional title in program history and first since 2010.
“What we’re starting to develop is some continuity in our play,” Callipari said. “We have 12 underclassman, so the girls didn’t play with much style or rhythm early on because they didn’t know each other.
“But they’ve learned and accepted who they are (as a team), and it isn’t necessarily pretty but they can be very effective in certain parts of the field and get things done.”
York finished 14-5-2 despite a challenging schedule, which pleased coach Halupka after he had graduated two of his scoring stars to Division I programs.
“Girls really stepped up and were scoring goals, and that helped us win,” Halupka said. “To win 14 games and get to the semifinals of the Pepsi Showdown, those are successes. Overall, I think it was a great season, the girls really enjoyed it and I know we as coaches enjoyed it.”
