By JIM BELSER
Guerin Catholic rarely stumbled in the Class 3A State Final girls’ soccer game against Penn. But when it did, the No. 1 nationally ranked opposition capitalized en route to 2-0 win over the Golden Eagles. As a result, undefeated Penn (23-0-1) claimed its second IHSAA championship in a row, with this one coming at the Sellick Bowl at Butler.
Guerin coach Jonathan McClure was thinking about opportunities missed and the importance of scoring early.
“It was critical, it could have created a momentum shift for us,” he said. “There were some things that could have been considered but they weren’t.”
The Golden Eagles were game Friday night in the finals, putting up a stout defensive effort. But in the end, there was a little too much offense pressure from the All-American laden Kingsmen. Guerin’s strategy was apparent early, as it fell back on defense and resisted taking many offensive chances.
“Obvious they have weapons all over the field, they have pace all over the field, they have confidence,” McClure said. “I think their resume being here the third year in a row started to show itself and when things didn’t go their way, you know, they’ve been here and that’s where are going,”
It worked well in the first half, as the half ended scoreless. But when the action heated up in the second, Penn found chances to squeeze into scoring position for a pair of goals seven mintes apart. Florida State bound Kristina Lynch assisted on both at the 53 and 60-minute marks.
“We let Molly loose and she made an unbelievable touch, smashing in that first goal, and now you are playing catchup with a team that hasn’t lost in two years,” McClure said.
Penn out shot Guerin Catholic 13-5 in the contest, as it was the aggressors on offense for most of the game. Maya Lacognato for Penn led with five shots on goal. For Guerin, Adele Stradling led with two shots on goal. Defensively for Guerin, Malorie Bestard, Nici Gordon, Evelyn Bestard, and Megan Wampler battled hard against Penn, forcing the talented Kingman to work for everything they got.
The Golden Eagles got their best chance of the night when Anna Schulthies’ left footer from eight feet almost crossed the goal line, if not for a tremendous save by the Penn goalie. The shot occurred midway through the first half, and it was the best chance for either team.
Claire Gavin, in goal for Guerin, was terrific with five saves on the night, including a pair of clutch corrals of Penn chances. Her counterpart from Penn delivered two saves of her own and was an asset in the defensive passing game for the Kingsmen.
The momentum might have changed against Guerin Catholic after defender Malorie Bestard was issued a yellow card after aggressive play with two minutes left in the half. The penalty kick found its way to the midsection of Gavin, and it gave Penn its first taste of a goal.
The Golden Eagles withstood Penn’s pressure for most of the contest but in the second half, the Kingsmen finally broke through. Molly McLaughlin scored for Penn on a cross from Lynch from about 15 yards out. Lynch followed it up with another assist, finding Lacognato in front of the goal as she dribbled in from the left side of the post.
A left foot blast by Guerin’s Elle Vuotto from a corner kick sailed just over the crossbar with nine minutes left. Kelsie Smith scrambled for control of the ball in front of the Penn goal minutes later, and her shot also flew over the crossbar.
Guerin Catholic finished its season with a 16-2-1 record.
The Guerin Catholic girls soccer team gave it a battle against No. 1-ranked Penn, but two quick scores in the second half sent the Golden Eagles to a 2-0 loss in the Class 3A state championship game. Guerin finished its season with a 16-2-1 record. (Kirk Green)
Guerin Catholic goalkeeper Claire Gavin (39) receives her runner-up state medal along with her teammates. Gavin had five saves for the Golden Eagles in the state championship game.
Additional images with rewards are in the gallery located at https://capturephotographybydkirk.smugmug.com/Penn-vs-guerin-g-socccer/ (Kirk Green)