Oswego East is the host site for one of the girls soccer regionals. Despite playing on their home field, the Wolves are the visitors on the scoreboard as the nine seed against the six seed, Waubonsie Valley. The winner will advance to face Benet Academy in the regional championship. This highlight is sponsored by BMO.
Oswego East strikes first
Just over ten minutes into the game, Oswego East has its first great chance. Anna Herrmann gets a pass and maneuvers around the Waubonsie goalie and blasts a shot into the net for the opening goal. The Wolves lead 1-0.
A few minutes later, the Oswego East keeper comes out of the box to clear the ball, but she kicks it right to Elli Morris. The Warrior boots a long-range shot toward the net, but the ball drifts just wide and out of bounds.
A perfect shot from McKinley Ladd
Midway through the half, Waubonsie has a free kick. Team captain McKinley Ladd will take it as she delivers an absolutely perfect strike into the top corner. A brilliant ball from the senior to tie the game at 1-1.
The Wolves look to regain the lead later in the half. Catie Sloan has an opening and fires, but Alyssa Straub makes a diving stop, and the Waubonsie defense clears the ball from danger.
With less than two minutes to go in the half, Ladd has another Waubonsie free kick. The Wolves try to head the ball away, but it deflects back towards the goal. Elena Castaneda charges in and fires, but her shot hits the post.
Bella Woolard runs in with a chance on the rebound, but that hits the right post as well. Somehow, Meeya Widdison comes away with the ball with the game still tied as the Wolves dodge another bullet.
With less than 30 seconds remaining in the half, Owego East has a throw-in. Herrmann sends a ball to the middle that is won by Olivia Hamilton, who turns and scores. A huge goal for the Wolves just before the halftime break.
Early in the second half, East looks to pad the lead. A free kick bounces right to Herrmann, but she can’t reel it in and her shot sails too high.
The Warriors look to tie the game. Bella Woolard gets the pass and fires towards the net, but Widdison makes the save.
Plenty of close calls from both teams in the second half, Herrmann looks for another goal, but she hits the post as well, and Chloe Shaffer clears the ball away, still trailing 2-1.
With less than eight minutes left to play, Bella Woolard creates some space and curls a shot towards the top corner, but it lands just over the crossbar to keep Waubonsie down by one.
Anna Herrmann leads the Wolves with a hat trick
The Warriors’ push for a goal leaves the defense vulnerable, and the Wolves finally take advantage. Anna Herrmann drives to the middle and drives a shot into the net for her second goal of the game. Oswego East leads 3-1 with five minutes to play.
The talented freshman is not done yet; she completes the hat trick, tallying her 28th goal of the season to put the game on ice. Oswego East defeats Waubonsie Valley 4-1 after a great battle on the pitch. The Warriors end the year 12-7-1.
For more prep sports highlights, visit the Naperville Sports Weekly page!
