Wednesday Journal
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Things were looking good for Fenwick Friday when Grace Kapsch scored with 49 seconds left in the first overtime period of the Class 3A Fenwick Regional final to break a scoreless tie against Downers Grove North.
But an unfortunate bounce during the second overtime in the Friars’ box allowed the Trojans’ Emilia Wilhelm to score with 4:59 left. The match went to penalty kicks, and in the sixth round, Fenwick’s Fiona Roche’s attempt was saved by DGN goalkeeper Gianna Hunsche.
Then the Trojans’ Elle Edwards beat Fenwick goalkeeper Mimi Carvalho, giving DGN a 4-3 victory in the shootout and the regional title.
“This team never stopped fighting,” said an emotional Kapsch afterwards. “It [stinks] that they saved some of our [penalty kicks], but at the end of the day, I couldn’t be more proud of this team because we all played for each other.”
The loss ended hopes of a third consecutive trip to the sectional round for the Friars (12-7-2). It also marked the end of the careers of Kapsch, Roche, Lizzie Brunick, Caroline Henige (assist on Kapsch’s goal), Leah Hyland, Gabi Kapusta, and Susie Shank.
“They’ve been great leaders and ambassadors,” said Fenwick coach Craig Blazer of the seniors, all of whom played a large part in the Friars’ run to fourth place in the 2022 Class 2A state tournament and a 2A supersectional appearance last year.
“They really elevated the status of the program.”
“It feels so weird talking about the end,” Kapsch said. “I really didn’t think I was going to do this much, get All-State in soccer and go downstate. My coach put a lot of trust in me and I wouldn’t have been able to do this without my teammates and especially my sisters [juniors Clare and Kiera], who’ve been my biggest supporters.”
Carvalho, a freshman, leads a list of 14 returning players for Fenwick next season.
OPRF girls soccer
Senior Giovanna Aguilar-Ripley remembers Oak Park and River Forest playing well against Hinsdale Central during their regular-season home loss, April 16.
“That was one of our best games and we’ve grown so much since then,” Aguilar-Ripley said.
The sixth-seeded Huskies came even closer in Friday’s rematch but lost 1-0 for the Reavis Regional championship after dropping the first meeting 4-2.
The effort was reflective of the progress by OPRF (7-11-1) under first-year coach Lauren Zallis, with just six seniors on the roster and four starting Friday: Aguliar-Ripley, Keira Kleidon, Annie Whitmore and goalie Jackie Bollinger. The 2023 team graduated 10 seniors.
“There were a lot of ups and down but I think this team has been better than we’ve ever had in the past,” Whitmore said. “We’re really a family and we have each other’s backs no matter what and I think that means a lot.”
The Huskies started 3-8 but followed with three straight shutout victories over Glenbard East, Proviso West and Downers North. They tied St. Ignatius 2-2 in their regular-season finale and beat No. 10 Reavis 3-1 in the regional semifinals.
“Our goal of becoming closer as a family and more of a possession-based program, we had both of those this year,” Zallis said. “The closeness of the relationship they have off the field leads to a trusting environment where they’re willing to sacrifice for each other. That’s the most you could ask for as a coach.”
Third-seeded Hinsdale Central (15-7) scored off a right-wing cross that midfielder Piper Bingham barely grazed with her shoe with 22:24 left in the first half. The Red Devils led 7-6 in shots (4-3 on goal) and 5-2 in corner kicks.
The Huskies allowed just two quality shots in the second half. Their best scoring chance was in the final minute of the first half when a passing combination found Lola Zarate left of the goal, but her shot was stopped.
“It was an unfortunate goal. We really wanted this one,” Kleidorn said. “I feel like throughout the season we controlled more and more every game. Outside of soccer, all of us truly grew.”
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