Girls Soccer: Sweet win for St. Edward

Green Wave freshman Callie Johnson (24) heads upcourt at St. Edward High School on Monday. Visiting Driscoll defeated St. Edward 78-54 in Suburban Catholic Conference action.
Karen Naess | For The Courier News

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ELGIN -- Top-seeded St. Edward dominated every aspect in the first half of Thursday's Westminster Christian Class A Sectional semifinal against North Shore Country Day.

But despite a commanding 15-1 advantage in shots on goal through the first 40 minutes, the Green Wave entered halftime ahead only 1-0.

That would soon change.

Those shots that were just missing high or wide in the first half, quickly started finding the back of the net when play resumed. Ten minutes after the intermission St. Edward was comfortably enjoying a 4-0 advantage.

The Green Wave would later add another goal to produce a 5-0 victory and advance to the sectional final for the first time in program history.

A win on Monday against either No. 2 Elgin Academy or No. 3 Willows Academy would set the Green Wave up with a quarterfinal match at the State Finals in Naperville on May 23. Earlier this season, St. Edward and Willows Academy played to a scoreless draw. Willows defeated Elgin Academy 1-0.

"The monkey is now off our back," said St. Edward coach Tim Brieger. "I coach both the boys and girls and this is the first time we've ever advanced to the Sweet 16. These girls really wanted this and I'm so proud of them. They all stepped it up."

For the match, St. Edward (10-8-2) held a commanding 28-2 shots-on-goal advantage. The final score would have been much more lopsided had it not been for an outstanding effort by NSCD goalkeeper Andrea Strauss (23 saves). But even Strauss had little chance to stop the flurry once the second-half barrage started.

"I think we were a little tight in the first half. The girls were probably feeling a little bit of pressure," Brieger said. "Once we scored that second goal early in the second half that started to open things up and we started playing relaxed.

"That second half was some of best soccer we've played this season."

Ahead 1-0, St. Edward doubled its advantage with a goal inside the first minute of the second half by Maggie Duggan. The junior had pushed up into the box for a free kick being taken down by senior Bianca Ramirez. Six minutes later, junior Brittany Brozek scored on a header into an empty net.

"We said that this was our chance and we had to go for it," Brozek said. "We had so many opportunities in the first half we knew we could score against them. Once we started scoring we rocked it."

The lead grew to 4-0 with 31:19 remaining in match following an unassisted score by Ramirez, who curled in a left-footed shot with force from the right corner.

"A lot of people told us that we should beat this team and we were really upset that we were having a hard time scoring in the first half," Ramirez said. "At halftime (Brieger) said to play better and work together. Everyone stepped up and played a big part in this win."

Brozek added her second goal of the match for the Wave's final score. Senior Alex Rubio got the Wave on the scoreboard in the 22nd minute with a chip-shot goal following an errant goal kick.