THE JOURNAL & TOPICS NEWSPAPERS | FRIDAY, MAY 16, 2008
Lions Knock Off Knights In Semis
By BOBBY CHILVER
Journal Sports
In last year's regional final, St. Viator fell to Fremd with nine seconds left in overtime, only to watch the Vikings make a run all the way to second place in state.
They've been waiting a whole year for revenge and they'll get their shot at it Saturday.
"They've been determined to get back to Fremd and now they got their chance," Viator coach Sam Donnelly said.
The Lady Lions earned that shot Wednesday with a hard fought 1-0 decision over No. 9 Prospect in the regional semifinal.
After a scoreless first half, Viator's Jackie Tumberger knocked through the only goal the Lions would need on a perfect corner kick from Brenna Fitzpatrick.
"She hits great corner kicks," Donnelly said of Fitzpatrick. "She hits it beautifully."
She did just that Wednesday, putting the corner right into a pack of Lions at the goal. The ball then bounced off a Prospect defender and right to an open Tumberger.
"There was no one in by me," Tumberger said. "It was a perfect set up for me."
The sophomore quickly took advantage as she drove it perfectly into the right side of the net for a 1-0 lead.
"That was a great goal," Donnelly said. "She absolutely nailed it."
The defense nailed it down from there and the Lions had earned their much-anticipated rematch with No. 1-seeded Fremd.
St. Viator and Fremd will kick off at 1 p.m. Saturday in Arlington Heights for the regional championship.
Prospect had several opportunities throughout the game but the Lion defense always seemed to clear the ball just in time.
Perhaps the Knights' best shot came on a Danielle Brucci free kick but Viator goalie Mary Kate Supplitt knocked away a perfectly placed shot above her head.
Prospect keeper Marietta Smith kept the Knights in the game with several nice stops and some good defense of Viator corner kicks.
"They left everything on the field," Knight coach Tom Froats said. "It just wasn't enough today." He also thanked his seniors who finished off the year 11-5-5 in their senior season.
"They have all played a big role," he said. "They've been very unselfish and done a nice job."
Prospect seniors include Maggie Fettis, Michelle Pappas, Kelly Johnson, Alex Moxley, Lauren Chlapaty, Megan Franck, Kathie Barkan and Marietta Smith.