AURORA -- Rosary's Class AA girls soccer regional game against Benet Tuesday saw the Royals' season end, but it left a lasting impression on both teams.
With 23 minutes left in the second half and Benet out to a 3-0 lead, lightning forced both teams off the field. When it became clear that the weather was not going to improve, added to the fact that Rosary does not have lights, Rosary coach Kevin Callaghan pulled the plug on the game and handed the victory to Benet.
He had both teams gather in the gym in a show of sportsmanship to congratulate each other in a moment that overshadowed what happened on the field.
"It was nice," Rosary sophomore goalkeeper Caillin Crosbie said. "I would love to be on the receiving end of that, but of course, we wanted to give our congratulations to them and keep the sportsmanship clean."
According to IHSA rules, when lightning is spotted near the site, there is a mandatory 30-minute waiting period before action can resume.
The first delay occurred at 5:20 p.m., but at 5:53 p.m., there was another strike and that's when the decision to call the game came down.
"For this game to end now as it is, it's not the end of the world," Callaghan said. "It comes down to what's more important, the game? We're down 3-0 right now.
"I think the game is kind of in hand with a talented team like Benet has, unless they completely fall down. At the same token, I don't think it's anything to be ashamed of either."
Benet junior Liz Dudek provided all the offense the Redwings (16-7-2 overall) would need. With 29:44 left in the first half, Dudek was taken down by a Rosary defender in the goal box and was rewarded with a penalty shot. She fired it to the lower left corner past a diving Crosbie to open a 1-0 lead.
On the second Benet goal, a Rosary defender inadvertently poked it past Crosbie with 33:27 left. Dudek then received a cross from Amanda Berngard with 30:12 left and got a foot on it to make it 3-0.
"(Dudek) is in the middle and she creates a lot of problems," Callaghan said. "We've seen it and we're trying to cover it, but we just don't have the talent right now to stay with them. We're getting there. We're using it as a teaching tool and learning experience for next year."
Callaghan is focused on the development of the team for next year, due to the fact that the Royals (10-9) do not have a senior on the roster. Of the 16 players on the team, 11 are underclassmen, including Crosbie -- a member of the Olympic Development Team. Crosbie made eight saves in a losing effort Tuesday.
"We still come off with a winning record and they finished second in conference," Callaghan said. "That's a winning record for a team that's still coming together. Hopefully we'll open some eyes next year."
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