Halftime talk sparks Lions in ESCC win at Providence

By Curt Herron

The message delivered by coaches Mike Taylor and T.J. King at halftime of Saint Viator's match at Providence Catholic Wednesday was clear.

Things weren't acceptable in the opening half and that type of play wasn't going to get the Lions far if they had postseason aspirations.

Saint Viator's performance during the following 40 minutes suggests that everyone understood clearly what their coaches had to say.

The Lions scored three goals within a 3:46 span to turn a narrow 3-2 halftime lead into a 6-2 advantage in the match in New Lenox.

Two late Saint Viator scores boosted the final to 8-2 to help the Lions stay in the mix for the East Suburban Catholic Conference title.

Click to hear coach Mike Taylor interview

Samantha Gavin scored two goals and assisted on another while Katherine Petrovich and Taylor Skala each had a goal and an assist.

Keegan Griebel, Katelyn Hammarlund, Meghan Malone and Meghan McGrath also scored goals while Katie Gavin assisted on a score.

The eight-goal outburst was a season-high for the Lions (9-7-1, 6-1), who scored six goals in last Wednesday's ESCC win over Marist.

But at the break, the Lions only enjoyed a one-goal lead following a pair of breakdowns that kept the scrappy Celtics in the match.

Saint Viator went about changing that story in quick order, collecting its first score of the second half with just 2:48 elapsed.

Hammarlund started the flurry of quick scores when she connected from about 20 yards out on a shot that bounced into the net.

Then with 34:09 left in the match, Petrovich sent a pass to Skala, who put in a rebound of her own blocked shot for a 5-2 lead.

Just 43 seconds after that, the pair exchanged roles as Petrovich connected from close range following an assist from Skala.

Click to hear Katherine Petrovich interview

With the momentum squarely in its corner, the Lions were content to possess the ball throughout the remainder of the match.

Goalkeeper Stephanie Shanahan faced a few threatening attempts from the hosts but managed to collect them with no difficulties.

The Lions added a score with 8:28 left when Samantha Gavin sent a corner in front of the net and McGrath knocked in a short shot.

And they ended the scoring with 3:29 to go when Katie Gavin found Malone, whose line drive found the net for the eighth goal.

While things ended in a good fashion for Saint Viator, they certainly didn't start out that way at the beginning of the match.

Saint Viator received good scoring threats from Skala and Hammarlund during the opening 12 minutes but were denied each time.

Providence capitalized on an indirect free kick just outside of the box by Chris Reed to take a 1-0 lead with 25:03 left in the half.

The Lions answered with 19:52 to go when Samantha Gavin took a shot near the sideline that curved and went in after hitting the post.

Just 54 seconds later, she found the net again, this time when her corner kick bounced off the keeper's hand and went in for a goal.

Saint Viator increased its advantage to 3-1 with 10:42 remaining in the opening half when Keegan Griebel was able to find the net.

Click to hear Keegan Griebel interview

But just as it looked like the Lions had overcome the poor start and might take a 3-1 lead into the break, the Celtics struck again.

A defensive breakdown allowed Providence's Jamie Noonan to get free for a short shot try which she made with 7:05 left in the half.

That set the table for the Lions' coaches frank halftime discussion, which resulted in more-inspired play in the final 40 minutes.

Saint Viator returns to action tonight at 5 p.m. when it meets Rockford Boylan in Barrington in a match in the Naperville Invite.

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