Even as the missed chances began to pile up Tuesday night for Lincoln-Way North, Rachel Pappas was confident it was only a matter of time before the Phoenix capitalized.
“Usually at the beginning of the game we get all our bad shots out of the way,” Pappas said. “Going into the second half, I was like, ‘OK, now we’re going to get one in.'”
It took a special play from Pappas to make it happen. The junior forward took one touch off a Grace Sheetz pass, spun and fired for the game’s only goal as host North held off Providence 1-0 in a Class 3A sectional semifinal.
Pappas was the benefactor of a failed clear from sixth-seeded Providence (14-11). Sheetz picked off the clearing attempt after Tasha Fields had her initial shot blocked. Sheetz slipped a quick pass to Pappas, who provided her fifth goal in three playoff games.
“I just figured it was worth a shot,” Pappas said. “We were just trying to shoot everything and maybe get a rebound or something. Once we got into this game, we were just confident.”
The top-seeded Phoenix (16-5-1), who avenged an earlier loss to Providence, will meet third-seeded Stagg (20-3) in the final set for 6 p.m. Friday. It’s the fourth straight sectional final for North.
North freshman goalkeeper Maria Fields recorded her eighth straight shutout, making two saves. It was her stop with just under six minutes to go that may have saved the season for the Phoenix.
Providence’s Mikayla Sanders had a great chance for the equalizer, taking a pass from Cate Spesia and ripping a shot that seemed destined to tuck inside the far post. Fields, though, dove and knocked it wide.
“It was just natural instinct,” Fields said. “I knew that there were only a few minutes left in the game and I just had to get a hand on it no matter what.”
Nicki Griffith made five saves for the Celtics.
In the nightcap, Stagg freshman Ally Mussallem shook off a couple missed chances and finished off the Chargers’ second 1-0 win this season over rival and second-seeded Sandburg (11-7-2).
Mussallem took a pass from fellow freshman Angelina Kosmas and, with Sandburg goalkeeper Jeanna Kuligoski (4 saves) charging out, lobbed a shot over her head and in with 8:14 to go.
“I just wanted to finish this for my sister (Hannah, a senior),” Mussallem said. “She played me a couple great passes that I couldn’t finish and I just wanted to put one away. It feels pretty amazing. It definitely tops any other goals I’ve scored.”
Earlier in the half, Ally Mussallem had a shot go off the bottom of the crossbar and out and also had a close-in chance stopped by Kuligoski.
“It was classic Ally,” Stagg coach Chris Campos said. “We always joke with her that she has to put one off the crossbar before she can score. She got a great ball played to her and had a great finish. This team just keeps making history for us.”
It’s the first time Stagg has advanced to a sectional final since 2006.
Claire Heneghan recorded the shutout for the Chargers, making a save on a Sydney Rudny free kick in the final minute of the first half.
Lincoln-Way West 4, Dunlap 0: Natalie Tannura netted a hat trick and Brianna Darlage recorded two assists for Lincoln-Way West (17-6-1) in the Class 2A sectional semifinal at LaSalle-Peru.
Softball
Lincoln-Way West 15, Kankakee 0: Dani Morgan (2-for-3, 2 runs) had four RBIs and Amanda Ruskowsky (12 strikeouts) threw a one-hitter for visiting Lincoln-Way West (24-10) in the Class 3A regional semifinal.
Homewood-Flossmoor 5, Lockport 0: Shelby Pauling (2-for-4) hit a two-run double and Gabby Cooke added a two-run homer — both in the top of the seventh — to guide host Homewood-Flossmoor (10-15) in the Class 4A regional semifinal. Zara Voulgaris (3-for-3) starred for Lockport (22-11).
Lincoln-Way East 17, Bloom 0: Nikole Van Gennep struck out eight in pitching a no-hitter for host Lincoln-Way East (25-4) in the Class 4A regional semifinal. Blake Ruiz (3-for-3) contributed a three-run homer and six RBIs for the Griffins, who also received a pair of homers from Jenny Van Geertry (2-for-3, 3 runs, 3 RBIs).
Minooka 8, Lincoln-Way North 3: Anne Allen swatted a two-run homer and Dani Thieman stroked an RBI single to aid Lincoln-Way North (17-15) in the second semifinal at Lincoln-Way East.
Boys Volleyball
Marist 25-25, Marian Catholic 18-21: Aaron Kumer had 28 assists and Colin Meyer supplied nine kills to pace host Marist (22-13) in the regional semifinal. Brian Barry added 12 digs for the RedHawks.
Sandburg 25-25, T.F. United 10-15: Tajai Ling racked up 10 kills and Grant Burden distributed 25 assists to help host Sandburg (32-4) qualify for the regional championship.
Lincoln-Way West 25-25, Andrew 19-15: Michael Wexter provided team highs with 15 assists and nine kills for Lincoln-Way West (31-4) in the regional semifinal at Lincoln-Way North.
Lincoln-Way Central 25-25, Lincoln-Way North 20-23: Kyle Nilsen put down 10 kills to boost Lincoln-Way Central (25-12) in the regional semifinal.
Argo 18-27-26, Fenwick 25-25-24: Andy Kubinski’s 10 kills and six blocks propelled visiting Argo (16-13) in the regional semifinal. Manny Prouty chipped in 11 digs for the Argonauts.
St. Rita 18-25-25, Shepard 25-17-23: Jack Danaher and Liam Kelly pounded eight kills apiece for St. Rita (15-20) in the Brooks Regional semifinal. Martin Goldrick (7 kills, 4 solo blocks) also contributed for the Mustangs. Dylan Doidge totaled 27 assists for Shepard (13-17), which also received 14 digs from Edgar Madrigal and seven kills from Dave Prince.
Local Colleges
NJCAA Division III World Series: Joliet Junior College (38-24) advanced to the championship of the double-elimination tournament after beating Herkimer (N.Y.) 11-0 in Kinston, N.C. Ron Sessler clubbed a three-run homer for the Wolves, who will play Tyler (Tex.) at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Since Tyler defeated Joliet 10-0 on Monday, the Wolves would need to win twice – with a potential second game on Thursday – to claim the title.
Minor League Baseball
Slammers 6, Aviators 4: Chris Serritella singled home Phil Bates in the top of the seventh with the go-ahead run as the Slammers (6-4) dealt host Rockford (9-1) its first loss of the Frontier League season. Dante Rosenberg drove in three runs for Joliet — including an RBI single in the eighth that completed the scoring — and Alfredo Rodriguez scored three times.
Millar is a freelance reporter. Freelance reporter Josh Krockey contributed to this story.
