Vikings lose tough one on penalty kicks

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AURORA -- It was a shame either of these two teams had to lose in the opening round of pool play in the Naperville Invitational, with this match being played at Waubonsie Valley.

After unbeaten New Trier and Geneva had battled on even terms for 80 minutes plus two 10-minute sudden death overtimes without scoring, the Trevians finally prevailed by a 6-5 count in penalty kicks.

The Vikings had a chance to win with their fifth penalty kick, but Trevian goalkeeper Kelsey Atkinson guessed correctly on a shot by Geneva's Megan Spear and sent her shot back where it came from, keeping the score at 4-4.

After New Trier's Jane Voris and Geneva's Alyssa Berendt each scored, Trevian Annie Hobson found the corner of the net to put her team up 6-5. Krista Jezior hit a rocket in an attempt to tie the score for the Vikings, but her shot sailed just above the goal to put an end to a superbly-played soccer game.

As for regulation, the two teams were mirror images of each other. Both teams were solid in passing, defending, and all the fundamentals that make for quality soccer.

New Trier (9-0) may have had the better of the second half of regulation and had several decent chances in the latter portion of the half.

But Geneva had the best opportunity to put the ball in the net, and it came with only 3:02 remaining in regulation. Berendt found herself with a rare opening 15 yards in front of Atkinson and took a booming right foot shot. But Atkinson made a tremendous play to leap and barely deflect the ball over the goal, saving the game for New Trier.

"That may be the save of the year," said Geneva coach Ryan Estabrook. "That ball was labeled for the back corner."

The Viking defense was superb in front of goalkeeper Madison Vanata. The foursome of Alexa Loebel, Stephanie Davison, Alexandra Waldie and Elise Farrelly simply would not let the high-powered Trevian offense get a quality shot on goal.

Geneva may be only 3-4 on the season after the tough defeat, but the Vikings played their best game of the season. And it doesn't get any easier, as state champion Waubonsie Valley awaits in the next round of pool play Saturday morning.

Girls Soccer: New Trier 6, Geneva 5