Warrior Soccer Claims 3rd Straight Regional Title

The Warrior soccer team used a dominating second half to produce a come from behind 2-1 victory over the Crystal Lake Central Tigers to earn their third consecutive regional championship.  After an early period of pressure by the Warriors, including a Sydney Barber shot off the left post, the Tigers came back into the game and began to generate a few opportunities.  The Tigers got behind the Warrior defense and slid a low cross into the penalty area that was tapped in from inside the goal area in the 22nd minute.  The Warriors recovered and continued to press forward, with Barber again hitting the post in the 38th minute.  Halftime arrived with the Warriors still trailing.  In the 47th minute, Ashley Imyak exchanged passes with Emily Kellow and Sydney Barber before lofting a ball into the penalty area.  Logan Just out-battled her defender and touched the ball into space for Kellow, who ripped a left footed shot into the upper corner to tie the match at 1 apiece.  The Warriors’ great depth began to take a toll on the Tigers, as Sarah Neal, Annie Sloan, Erin Rosenzweig, Melanie Imyak, Enya Horgan, and Kaehle Crockford all provided a spark off the bench and helped the Warriors apply continued pressure.  The Tigers only had one shot on goal for the second half, but it was a breakaway that Sam Soloway stuffed with a great save with 20 minutes left.  With 7:02 remaining, Logan Just launched a long throw into the penalty area.  Sydney Barber flicked the ball on with her head towards the back post, where Emily Kellow split two defenders and muscled the ball over the line for the game winner.