Naperville North Girls Soccer looks to advance to the IHSA 3A State Championship game, but first has to face Lyons Township in the Semi-Finals.
Naperville North girls soccer back in the state semi finals for the 2nd year in a row, facing Lyons Township. The Lions in the final four for the first time since 2006. The Huskies defeated LT by a score of 2-1 last month in the Naperville Invitational.
Regulation
A quiet first half until the final two minutes, LT with a corner from Ava Davallo that finds the head of Olivia Wirtz and pops into the goal to put Lyons Township up 1-0 at halftime.
Early in the 2nd half, Lyons looks to add on, Ava Davallo with a shot on goal, but Amanda Johnson is there to stop the line drive shot in it’s tracks.
15 minutes to go in the game, Hannah Martin furiously battling for the ball with Eileen Murphy. Murphy falls on top of the ball, Cara Perez leaves the net to grab the ball, but Martin gains control and fires home the game tying goal.
Overtime
The game would head to overtime, in the extra session, the Lions with a good look on net, but Amanda Johnson dives to keep the game tied at one.
Late in the 2nd overtime, Leah Shumate with a long free kick, the ball takes a high hop right before it gets to Perez, the LT goalie tips the ball just high enough to hit the crossbar. A whirlwind in front of the net ends with a whistle against Naperville North. The Huskies can’t believe it as this game heads to penalty kicks.
Penalty Kicks
North will kick first and Leah Shumate with a strong shot just over the arms of Perez for the 1-0 lead.
First up for the Lions is Meara Hilling and she goes to the right and gets the goal to even things up at 1.
Katie Murphy in 2nd for North and she puts it in the corner just past a diving Cara Perez as the Huskies lead 2-1.
Olivia Wirtz is up next for LT, but Amanda Johnson dives to the right and guesses correctly as she makes a big save to keep the Huskies up 2-1 after two rounds.
Emily Dulik in the three spot for the Huskies and she goes high and finds the net just under the cross bar, 3-1 North.
Eileen Murphy heads to the line as LT can’t afford any more misses, she finds the net with ease to make it 3-2 Huskies.
Hannah Martin up for Naperville North 4th, Perez guess right again but Martin’s shot it perfectly placed in the upper right corner. Huskies on the brink of victory.
Ava Dallavo must score with the shot or the Huskies are advancing, and Amanda Johnson comes up huge again, catching the shot in the air as Naperville North wins 4-2 in penalty kicks. The Huskies are in the state final for the first time since 2013 to face Barrington, the two time defending state champion.
