Here is how the Williamsville girls soccer team wound up with third place in the Class 1A state finals at North Central College in Naperville, its second straight state trophy after going runner-up last season.
Friday, June 6
Williamsville coach Joe Fandel said everyone contributed in some way.
Even senior goalkeeper Lilly Johns scored on a penalty kick to cap a 4-0 victory over Elmhurst Timothy Christian for third place at the Class 1A state finals.
“I think it meant a lot because she’s put the goalkeeper position above her own needs and wants,” Fandel said. “She’s a really good goalie, but she’s also a very solid field player.”
Freshman Ella Plumb delivered two goals, including the opening goal in the first five minutes for a 1-0 halftime lead.
Senior Emillie Mikus extended the lead by two goals with an assist to junior Calynn Frye before Brooklyn Termine assisted Plumb’s second score.
Williamsville (25-6) totaled 11 shots on goal.
“Even this morning eating breakfast, they had a pretty good attitude and mindset,” said Fandel, who lauded the three departing seniors: Johns, Mikus and Claire Corredato. “I was glad they backed it up on the field.
“Everyone played hard. They left it on the field.”
Thursday, June 5
Freshman midfielder Alaina Rains capitalized in the penalty area on Lucy Leitschuh’s cross and Columbia dispatched Williamsville, 2-0, in the Class 1A girls soccer state semifinals on Thursday, June 5.
The Eagles advanced to their first title game on Saturday, June 7 at 2:30 p.m. since winning it all in 2019.
Senior midfielder Riley Mathews added the insurance goal on a penalty kick with under 19 minutes left.
Williamsville junior Brooklyn Termine nearly had the team’s best opportunity with the Columbia goalkeeper drawn out of the net in the first half, but a crowd of players thwarted her from squaring up the shot.
Junior Calynn Frye also had a shot on goal less than a minute before Mathews sealed the win just out of senior goalkeeper Lilly Johns’ reach.
The Bullets (24-6) totaled four shots on goal, including Termine, senior Emillie Mikus and sophomore Kaily Milnes.
Johns finished with seven saves.
This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: Williamsville girls soccer grabs third place for second straight state trophy in Class 1A
Reporting by Bill Welt, Springfield State Journal- Register / State Journal-Register
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