On a night when everything she did felt unerringly right, it was a miss that actually jolted senior midfielder Lindsey Hardiman and gave Warren hope.
“Once I hit the post with that shot, we all changed our mindset because we realized that we could come back,” Hardiman said.
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The Blue Devils erupted for three unanswered goals Tuesday night to complete a thrilling comeback for a 5-4 North Suburban victory over host Lake Zurich in a clash of conference unbeatens. Hardiman scored two goals 23 seconds apart in the 72nd and 73rd minute.
In all, Hardiman scored three goals in the second half for Warren (11-1, 3-0). She combined with senior forward Alliyah Parker to stage the furious rally. Senior midfielder Kaitlyn Chomko contributed three assists.
Parker’s goal in the 71st minute cut the Bears’ lead to 4-3. Moments later, Hardiman hit a shot off the top of the post.
“I definitely thought we had the momentum once Alliyah got her shot,” Hardiman said. “I think because of the pressure and the intensity of the game, they got more freaked out. The same thing happened earlier when they were scoring on us.”
Warren’s comeback ended 12-game winning streak for Lake Zurich (12-3, 2-1) and upstaged a singular performance by senior forward Rebecca Kubin. She matched Hardiman with three goals.
A converted track sprinter, Kubin was a blur in space. She scored goals in the 20th and 29th minute that put the Bears up 2-1 at halftime. Kubin and Parker are teammates in club.
“She is very fast,” Parker said of Kubin. “We knew she was going to get behind us a couple of times.”
Warren delivered a great start and electric finish. Senior forward Ellen Szostak scored in the first minute to stake the Blue Devils to the 1-0 advantage.
Lake Zurich recovered quickly as Kubin’s explosive speed created open seams, which she exploited in the perimeter.
“Recovering from an early goal like that, obviously you are going to be feel badly,” Kubin said. “We worked our hardest to sprint back and put in the effort because we wanted to get back into the game.
“We let up a little after we went up 4-2, and Warren is a very good team. Otherwise, I thought we played a very good game.”
Kubin’s third goal in the 55th minute put Lake Zurich up 3-2. Junior forward Kristin Brousseau pushed the Bears to a two-goal lead in the 57th minute.
No lead proved safe.
‘I have had some buzzer-beaters in club soccer, but this is right up there with my most memorable games ever,” Hardiman said. “I loved the atmosphere. My teammates gave me great opportunities and I got to finish them.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance writer for the News-Sun.