Kendall girls win thriller in Class D Regional

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Kendall’s Hailee Mitchell, who scored the game’s lone goal, brings the ball up field against North Collins defender Rebecca Holmes during the Eagles Eagles thrilling Far West Regional victory this evening at Webster Thomas.

Relentless pressure finally paid off as Kendall scored in the final three minutes to nip North Collins 1-0 in the girls soccer Class D Far West Regional this evening at Webster Thomas High School.

Hailee Mitchell scored with just 3:48 remaining to cap off Kendall’s furious barrage of shots and propel the Lady Eagles into the state semifinals for the first time since 2003.

Kendall Coach Pam Barchett and team captains Lizzy Sutphen, Hailee Mitchell and Brianna Wakefield proudly hold the regional championship trophy high.

“We just kept pushing and pushing and pushing and didn’t give up,” said Kendall Coach Pam Barchett who was a starting defender on the Lady Eagles 2003 state semi team. “All the credit though to their goalie. She just did an outstanding job. We put some 20 shots on her but she was outstanding. We just kept putting the shots on though and finally got one in. We just kept working together.”

Kendall goalie Katherine Pearson, who made 10 saves, anchored the Lady Eagles defensive unit. She made two big saves down the stretch before the Lady Eagles scored the game winner.

Kendall peppered the North Collins net with over a dozen shots in the second half with three sailing just wide and another bouncing off the cross bar before Mitchell connected for her  team leading 27th goal of the season.

Improving to 16-5, Kendall next faces Cincinnatus from Section III in the Class D state semifinals at 12:30 p.m. next Saturday at Homer High School. Cincinnatus downed Downsville from Section IV 1-0 in the Central Regional.

Kendall advanced to the regional by defeating Hinsdale 2-0 to claim the Section V Class D title while North Collins blanked Franklinville 3-0 for the Section VI crown.

Kendall’s Brianna Wakefield looks to work around North Collins defenders Robin Hidy and Kyrstin Lehnortt.

The Kendall duo of Lizzy Woodams and Alezya Brown work to keep the ball away from North Collins’ Hailey Jasinski.