Adam Kelly | Echo
Claire LaValley was heroic last Saturday. The freshman goalkeeper saved the season for women's soccer as the seventh-seeded Trojans edged second-seeded Grace in the Crossroads League quarterfinal game with a 3-2 win in penalty kicks (PKs).
"When it went to penalty kicks, I felt really confident because, in practice, Claire has stopped about half of the penalty kicks all year," said head coach Scott Stan. "She won a state championship that way, by saving them and making hers, so I felt really good. It was amazing."
Senior forward Molly Drooger added to her total as she struck one (59th career goal) in the 25th minute off an assist from sophomore Emily Brydon. The Trojans held the lead until the 71st minute when the Lancers tied it. The teams desperately tried to find the game-winner as time ticked down, but overtime was needed to decide a winner.
In the two overtime periods, both teams came up with multiple shots that couldn't find the back of the net. Inevitably, the game went into PKs where LaValley saved three out of five shots from the Lancers and, with the score tied 2-2, netted a PK of her own to advance the Trojans to the semifinals.
"I knew I was going to give it my best and I just said 'bring it on,'" LaValley said. "I was more excited than nervous. My teammates worked so hard for 110 minutes and it was my chance to do my part. I knew the team trusted me in that position, and I didn't want to let them down. I guess it's a pretty good way to get your first collegiate goal. Go big or go home, right?"
The Trojans were outshot 17-16, but they bested Grace in shot accuracy as Taylor tallied 12 shots on goal to just nine on target for the Lancers. With the win, Taylor prepares for Saint Francis next after the Cougars took down Indiana Wesleyan in their previous match.
"We are really excited about Saint Francis. We've been playing really well lately, so I think our game plan will be to continue and maintain that level of play," Drooger said.
The Trojans look to continue their run in the Crossroads League tournament at 3-seeded Saint Francis tomorrow at 4:30 p.m.
Photography by Timothy P. Riethmiller
