The depth of Carmel’s girls soccer team has propelled them far in the Class 2A postseason.
But in a 2-0 St. Viator Sectional semifinal win against Lake Forest on Wednesday, May 27, it was just two players who generated all the offense for the Corsairs.
In the first half, sophomore midfielder Angela Salvi scored the game’s first goal on an assist from junior forward Erin Johnston. Then, almost 9 minutes into the second half, it was Johnston’s turn. Salvi launched a rocket shot from outside the goal box that bounced off the hands of Lake Forest freshman goalkeeper Cassidy Shaul. Johnston charged the net and put away the rebound for a two-goal lead.
“When I saw Angie go in for an attacking move, I went in to just back up the shot,” Johnston said. “It turned out I was there.”
Salvi added: “We definitely have a lot of combinations in the run of play but it usually doesn’t end in a goal. I don’t think that’s ever happened [this season].”
The victory puts Carmel (18-2-1) in a sectional final for the first time since 2008. In doing so, the Corsairs beat the defending 2A state champs.
“They are as good as it gets. They are the total package,” Corsairs coach John Halloran said. “It’s quite an accomplishment for us to do what we did tonight.”
Lake Forest (14-5-2) often controls possession against its opponent. That wasn’t the case against Carmel, as the Corsairs dominated the run of play. Johnston, Salvi and senior midfielder McKenzie Runyan, the East Suburban Catholic Conference Player of the Year, were relentless in their attack.
The Scouts played the entire game without sophomore forward Delaney Williams, who was issued a red card in the team’s regional final win over Lakes on May 22. The back line took a hit when junior defender Adrian Walker left the game with a knee injury late in the first half. It happened just minutes after Salvi’s goal at the 6:20 mark. Walker did not return.
“They are two of the fastest players on our team. They were both huge losses,” Lake Forest junior midfielder Paige Bourne said.
With 7:30 left in the game, Lake Forest had its best chance. A perfect through ball from Bourne found the feet of senior midfielder Carly Hoke. Her left-footed shot from just outside the goal box bounced just wide of the right post. Carmel did not give up any more chances the rest of the match.
Carmel will play either St. Viator or Grayslake North at 7 p.m. on Friday.
“We had a fantastic team in 2008, but from top to bottom we haven’t had a team this good,” Halloran said. “We have a lot of girls who can put the ball in the back of the net.”
Kerr is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.
Twitter: @prepspioneer