Denial defense does it for CLS

Hononegah’s Brea Edwards (12) and Crystal Lake South’s Emily Hamrick (23) vie for the ball Tuesday during their IHSA Class 3A Jacobs Sectional semifinal Tuesday in Algonquin. South won, 1-0, in overtime. (Hollyn Johnson - hjohnson@nwherald.com)

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ALGONQUIN – Between its non-conference schedule and last weekend’s wild victory, Crystal Lake South’s girls soccer team was ready for this.

The Gators already knew they could play strong in overtime, so when they went into extra time against Hononegah in the IHSA Class 3A Jacobs Sectional semifinal Tuesday, the Gators did not panic.

South also knew that as long as it could defend, it could win.

All those difficult opponents and defensive matches in which South had to weather a storm led the Gators to a 1-0 overtime victory against the Indians.

South will face Barrington at 6 p.m. Friday for the sectional title. The Fillies beat Huntley, 1-0, in the other semifinal.

Senior Elizabeth Quinn, fresh off a heroic victory in Saturday’s shootout against Prairie Ridge, had the best performance of her season, and senior Kali Loescher converted the Gators’ only shot on goal.

The match underscored the lessons South had learned from all the adversity it had faced this season.

“That’s why we play a [tough non-conference schedule]. With a good defense, we’ll hang in there,” Gators coach Brian Allen said. “We might get outshot and pressured, but we’ll get our chances if we just play good defense.

“ ... I could see it in their eyes when we went into overtime. They believed they would win this game.”

Quinn came out with something to prove, haunted by two goals she allowed during regulation Saturday.

She clamped down Tuesday. Quinn was everywhere, recording 11 saves.

“The last game I felt like I was hesitant, and it freaked me out a little,” said Quinn. “The aggression today just came from being more calm and relaxed, actually.”

The Gators’ defense had helped Quinn keep the Indians (18-2-2) quiet in the back, and finally South got its chance in its own offensive third.

Three minutes into overtime, Loescher dribbled through two defenders and took the Gators’ first shot on frame, sending a ball to the left post. Hononegah goalkeeper Courtney Carlson tried to stop it, but Loescher’s strike had been hard and the ball slipped through Carlson’s fingers and into the corner.

“I thought for sure she saved it,” Loescher said. “I’m in shock.”

Allen knew as soon as Carlson was tested, the Gators could capitalize.

“She hadn’t had to stop anything yet,” Allen said. “We’d taken shots, but not on frame, so she hadn’t seen the ball all game, and that was a tough shot for her to defend.”