Somehow Naperville Central and Neuqua Valley managed to put on an exciting, well-played match that featured dramatic momentum changes and late-game heroics. Anybody who was outside Friday evening knows why I wrote "Somehow."
On-and-off rain and a strong wind whipping across the field from the south made it feel more like mid-February than mid-April. The teams didn't let that get to them as the Redhawks escaped with a 3-2 victory against the host Wildcats, who rallied from a 2-0 deficit only to lose in the final seconds.
Neuqua goalie Rachel Suther, who kept the Wildcats in the game with several big saves after Central had taken its two-goal lead, was disconsolate after a low shot by Kristen Hall rolled past her outstretched fingertips and into the net for the winning goal. While the teams exchanged postgame handshakes, Suther stood crying as teammate Kendra Collins tried to console her.
"If I was her I'm sure I'd take it hard, too, but there was no possible way it was her fault, " Collins said. "She's done nothing but good for this team every game this season."
Check out a full account of the game in Sunday's Sun.
Leave a comment