Marian ready to complete its goal

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Being one of four teams still playing soccer in June would be an accomplishment of its own for most teams.

But Marian Central is not most teams.

The Hurricanes never doubted they could do this, and earning a berth in the IHSA Class 2A state semifinals was more a task Marian needed to complete than a dream the Hurricanes spent the season chasing.

Since they are deep at every position, balanced in their attack and confident in their approach, the Hurricanes easily saw themselves playing in a state semifinal one day.

Today is that day.

Marian plays Lemont at 11 a.m. at Naperville Central with a berth in the state title game on the line.

“We all believe we can win a state championship this year,” Marian coach Kristian Rockall said. “We’ve had that underlying belief all along. We don’t talk about it much, but you can just sense it.”

The Hurricanes were conspicuously quiet early in the season about what they intended to accomplish, especially as they maneuvered a difficult schedule and went 2-7 in the first nine games of the year.

But since winning a second consecutive regional title, Marian’s players have started discussing this final four appearance. The field includes Wheaton Academy and Troy Triad, which play in the other semifinal at 1 p.m. today.

Today’s winners will play for a state title at 1 p.m. Saturday with the consolation match at 11 a.m.

“I think it’s awesome that we’ve been able to do this,” forward Robin Wenzel said. “We just have to keep playing how we’re playing.”

The Hurricanes will face an opponent with state finals experience and some unfinished business.

Lemont (22-4) lost to Wheaton Academy in the 2009 Class 2A state title match and return a few players from that state runner-up team, including junior forward Shannon Briggs, who has 13 goals and 13 assists this season.

The Indians have not allowed a goal during the playoffs, while Marian (19-9) has outscored its opponents, 21-1, in its five postseason games.

Hurricanes senior defender Susan Piggott said the team was aware of Lemont keepers Nicole Papiernik (two goals allowed in eight games) and Kelly Fritz (17 goals in 22 games), but will counter with a stout defense of its own.

“We’re very solid all the way around in the back,” Piggott said. “Our two backs, Megan Graf and Tess Bottorff, have been amazing this year.”

Junior midfielder Laura LeFevour leads the team in distribution with 34 assists and 16 goals, while Wenzel leads the scoring with 22 goals.

Keepers Kaitlyn Logan and Rita Wiszowaty have allowed 12 and 13 goals respectively this year.

“We will set out to play how we always play against excellent teams: With intensity, with purpose, with precision and, above all else, without fear,” Rockall said.