Behind a four-goal effort from senior midfielder Lily Snyder, No. 10 University secured back-to-back Class 1A Sectional 37 championships on Saturday afternoon at Sheridan, defeating Western Boone 5-1 in a rematch of last year’s title game.
While University junior goalkeeper Lilly Fair had to make the game’s first save three minutes in, the Trailblazers (13-3-2) struck first blood just six minutes in, when senior midfielder Lily Snyder had a go from 25 or 30 yards and hit the back of the net. University carried the pressure forward and forced a couple saves, but it would double the lead in the 19th minute on a scrappy effort. Freshman defender Olivia Morrison dropped a free kick in behind the Stars’ defense and senior forward Halle Von Ah reacted first to beat the goalkeeper to the ball. Her initial touch popped into the air, though, and didn’t cross the line — after the ball bounced around in a crowded penalty area, Lily Snyder got the final touch to push the ball over the line, giving University the 2-0 advantage.
Though the Trailblazers continued to carry play through the rest of the first 40 minutes, it was Western Boone who had the best chance before the break on only its second shot of the game. Senior forward Madison Jones won a free kick on the wing six minutes from time, then played a free kick onto Karlie Saunders’ head. The Stars senior forward’s shot hit the crossbar and stayed out, preserving University’s 2-0 lead headed into the break.
At the start of the second half, Western Boone was desperate for a lifeline back into the game, and 10 minutes into the half, they got it when Jones won her squad a penalty. The senior forward stepped up to take the penalty, but blazed it over the bar.
It would prove to be Western Boone’s best chance to get in the game, though, as the Trailblazers wasted little time putting the game away after the close call, as Lily Snyder soon scored twice in as many minutes. In the 52nd minute, Von Ah hit a well-struck free kick to the bottom corner. The Stars goalkeeper was able to keep this initial effort out, but the follow-up fell to Lily Snyder, who slotted home to complete her hat trick. A minute later, the Trailblazers broke on a quick attack, as Von Ah picked up her second assist in as many minutes, feeding her fellow senior for the 4-0 lead.
Western Boone finally pulled a goal back in the 74th minute, with Jones getting loose at the back, but University restored its four-goal advantage two minutes later off a corner. Von Ah played in a good ball that senior midfielder Arya Narayanan was able to direct toward goal. The shot careened off the crossbar, though, and this time it was senior midfielder Lucy Snyder who was able to react, stabbing home to take the game to its final score line.
University advances to the Northwestern regional for the second year running. The Trailblazers will take on the winner of the Northwestern sectional, either No. 3 Lafayette Central Catholic or Faith Christian. That game was delayed to Monday due to weather.
