Early score sparks Lions in sectional semifinal victory

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By Curt Herron

Nothing takes some of the pressure off of a postseason match against a team you've already beaten like an early score.

And that's exactly what Lyons Township got when it met St. Ignatius in its own Tuesday's Class 3A Sectional semifinals.

The Lions, who beat the Wolfpack 2-1 on March 30, added two more first half scores to grab a 3-0 advantage at the break.

Then the defense took over and kept their opponents off of the scoreboard as LT claimed a 3-0 victory at Bennett Field.

Lauren Moberg put the hosts up for good just 4:06 into the match and Kelsey Holbert scored shortly before an own goal.

As a result of the win, coach Bill Lanspeary's Lions (17-4-1) advance to Friday's 7 p.m. sectional championship match.

There they'll meet Oak Park-River Forest (14-7-1), which moved on following a 2-1 win over Morton in the other semifinal.

The Lions beat the Huskies 1-0 when the two teams met on May 6 in a West Suburban Conference Silver Division matchup.

This marks LT's 13th sectional final appearance during the past 15 seasons, with the lone exceptions being 2002 and 2009.

Lyons defeated OPRF six straight times in sectional play from 2003 to 2008, with the first five being in title matches.

The Lions have now won four straight and seven of their last eight matches, with all of the victories being by shutout.

LT's lone loss in that stretch came when York rallied for a 3-2 double overtime win in the the WSC Silver title match.

Click to hear coach Bill Lanspeary interview

St. Ignatius only had one shot on goal late in the first half and another early in the final half against Renata Butikas.

Lyons' defense of Steph Condon, Elise Gordon, Sarah Mazur and Ari Kowalski prevented the Wolfpack from get much started.

With that as a backdrop, it's understandable why the Lions' score before everyone was even settled in was so important.

The go-ahead score was set up when Coco Corrigan raced toward the net and keeper Nora Benson tried to stop her efforts.

Instead of seeing the threat get halted, the junior passed over to an open Moberg, who put in a shot from close range.

Click to hear Coco Corrigan interview

LT kept the pressure up during the initial 20 minutes of play and had a couple of other good scoring opportunities.

Hope Spangler had a grounder deflected away by the keeper and Katie Nasenbenny bounced a shot that was also halted.

Following a stretch of 10 minutes which featured few thrills, the hosts opened things up with two more quick scores.

With less than 11 minutes left in the first half, Nasenbenny fired a free kick against a wall of Wolfpack defenders.

The ball deflected away toward Holbert, who got free in front of the net to score with 10:25 left before the break.

Then just 2:08 later, Mackie Furlong sent a ball toward the Wolfpack net which went off a defender for an own goal.

St. Ignatius finally put a shot on goal with just over three minutes left but Butikas stopped Jackie Gawne's attempt.

Moberg had one more good chance to add a score before the break but her line drive in the final minute was hauled in.

Click to hear Sarah Mazur interview

Although it was unable to find the net during the final 40 minutes of play, LT had plenty of chances to add to its lead.

Lauren Grissim was stopped in the first half minute after the break and Nasenbenny sent a try wide a short time later.

Emma Meyering, Holbert and Mazur were all denied on short shot attempts and Condon's corner kick was lined to the keeper.

Adding attempts following the midway point of the second half were Abby Pasquinelli, Juliet Lusson, Furlong and Spangler.

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