Logan Fye’s legs said “No,” but his heart said “Go.”
The Winnebago junior came off the bench to notch the game-winning goal in a 2-1, four-overtime victory against Earlville-Leland in a Class A quarterfinal Friday at North Central College in Naperville.
Fye sat the last half of the third overtime and first half of the fourth OT before asking coach Mary Beth Elsen to get back on the field.
“I just wanted to come in. My team needed me,” the junior said. “I think it was the second (run). I ran through but didn’t get the ball. I made one more and the ball (from Andy Huftalin) came right to me. I was just lucky to get that good shot off.”
The goal was the first that the Indians put into the net. They led 1-0 at halftime after an Earlville-Leland own goal in the 25th minute.
Winnebago was kept at bay by an outstandings effort from Red Raider keeper Brad Miller.
“He’s just an unbelievable keeper,” said Huftalin, who registered his 30th assist of the season. “I was very frustrated, but you can’t quit. You’ve got to keep on going, and it paid off on the end.”
Miller came up a save short of tying the all-class state tournament record of 18 stops. Many of the saves came in spectacular, diving fashion in a highlight-reel effort.
“This is my last year. That’s what I was thinking about,” a somber Smith said after the loss. “I knew they were going to come out hard. We’re happy with the way we played. We’re just not happy with the outcome.”
Winnebago (22-2-3) will meet Francis Parker in the first semifinal at 9 a.m. Saturday. Earlville-Leland (23-1) saw its quest to become the first undefeated, untied state champion come to an end.