By ALEX CARSON
University pulled one upset Saturday, but couldn’t secure a second, falling in the regional championship game 1-0 to No. 5 Fort Wayne Blackhawk Christian after defeating No. 7 Lafayette Central Catholic on penalties, 5-3 after a 0-0 draw, in the early afternoon semifinal.
The Trailblazers, who finish 13-5-1, had already made history when they stepped on the field Saturday at noon, after becoming the first team in program history to take home a sectional title — and despite entering Saturday’s regional at Northwestern as the only team in the field that wasn’t ranked in the final coaches’ poll, the Trailblazers used a resolute defense to push through the Knights (12-6-2) and into the championship game.
Against the wind, University’s day started on the back foot, as Central Catholic controlled the ball for the vast majority of the first half. But the Trailblazers’ tactics, as well as the stiff wind pushing most Central Catholic long balls out for goal kicks, saw University get to halftime without any serious trouble.
When they had the wind in the second half, though, University got itself firmly entrenched in the game, controlling most of the play over the second 40 minutes. Trailblazers sophomore Tessa Hudson had University’s best chance of the game in the 50th minute, when she fired at the Central Catholic goalkeeper, as a tight match continued to be that way, with few clear-cut chances for either side.
An additional 14 minutes of overtime beckoned, and the Trailblazers continued to have the edge in territorial possession, but neither side saw the scoresheet as the match went to penalty kicks to decide a victor.
Hudson stepped up to take first for University, and slotted home — the first of six penalty takers on each side to coolly slot home on their first attempt; junior defender Lucy Snyder and junior midfielder Halle Von Ah scored for University, while each of Central Catholic’s first three takers also scored.
The fourth round proved to be the pivotal one, as Trailblazers junior midfielder Lily Snyder stepped up and saw her effort saved — but the referees judged that Central Catholic senior goalkeeper Bay Ulery had come off her line early. Snyder had the opportunity to re-take the penalty and left no doubt, putting the pressure back on the Knights.
It was Ulery who stepped to the spot fourth for Central Catholic, and in a first battle of goalkeepers, it was University sophomore keeper Lilly Fair who had the better, diving to her right to keep Ulery’s effort out, putting the Trailblazers just one kick from the regional final. Fair stepped up, and again, won the battle of the keepers, scoring to end the match and put University through to the final.
Saturday evening’s championship game was another tight affair, with few clear-cut chances either way. Blackhawk Christian (15-3-2) had the better of the play in the first half, but University had what turned into its best chance of the game when Lily Snyder fired on goal from 50 yards out, her dipping shot hitting the crossbar, but staying out. Fair was called upon late in the half to preserve the 0-0 scoreline, saving from a well-struck Braves shot in the 38th minute.
The Braves were again in the ascendancy for most of the second half, and they were finally rewarded by way of a counterattack goal in the 62nd minute — Blackhawk Christian sprung senior forward Courtney McCown through, and McCown made no doubt, beating an onrushing Fair to establish the 1-0 advantage that would hold up. Blackhawk Christian sat back the rest of the game, content to defend and see out the one-goal win, but the Trailblazers never could generate a serious chance to tie the game.
Saturday completed a season where University won 10 of its final 12 matches, reaching the final eight of the state tournament, and taking home the program’s first sectional title in the process — and University head coach Maddy MacAllister was pleased with her team’s performance and season after the loss.
“I’m really proud of an incredible season,” MacAllister said.
A young University team will be largely intact next season; the Trailblazers started just one senior Saturday and will graduate the scorers of just two of the this season’s 75 goals.
