In the opening match of Friday’s Class 1A girls soccer semifinals, defending runner-up Rochester handed St. Thomas More a 3-0 loss at muggy North Central College.
It wasn’t exactly the thank-you card the Sabres deserved after stunning defending champion Manteno 1-0 a week earlier to earn their spot in the final four. Last year, Manteno manhandled Rochester 4-0 for the 1A title, with the Rockets looking forward to a rematch this season. Instead, they will return to the championship match for the third time, looking to add to their 2008 title.
“It wasn’t like we were looking for revenge,” said junior forward Amanda Williams, who had an assist and several scoring chances. “Every team is different every year. You lose seniors and you have to rebuild. It doesn’t matter who you play, you just look at the next opponent.”
Rochester (24-3) dominated most of the first half, with junior forward Becca Jostes giving St. Thomas More (13-10-2) defenders fits. Jostes, the Rockets’ leading scorer (26 goals, 21 assists), had a scoring chance less than 15 minutes in, turning around two Sabers’ players on the goal line before her low blast was turned away by senior keeper Lexi Wallen.
Two minutes later it was Jostes again, this time feeding classmate Baylee Smith on a give-and-go at the 16:32 mark.
Rochester keeper Maddie Gleeson did not record a save, as St. Thomas More managed only one shot, which was not on goal. The Rockets had seven shots on goal in each half.
At the 55 minute mark the Rockets broke through again, this time with Williams feeding senior Mandy Yeck deep in the goal box for an unchallenged shot to the upper left corner of the net for a 2-0 lead.
Rochester ended the scoring three minutes later with some more fine passing in the goal box, with senior Sydney Lett delivering off a perfect feed from Jostes.
“We’re happy to be back, but I’m not happy with the effort today,” Rochester coach Chad Kutscher said. “I don’t know if we were looking past the team or thinking the state title was already ours. The bottom line is we got to where we wanted to be at the beginning of the season.”
English is a freelance reporter.
Player of the game: Becca Jostes, Rochester, 2 assists.
Key performers: Rochester — Sydney Lett, goal; Amanda Williams, assist.