Senior goalkeeper Alex Montalbano looked over the field as the last four years of her soccer career came into sharp focus.
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“As freshmen, the first varsity game we ever played was on this field against Lisle,” she said. “It’s a little bittersweet to end like this, but this is a very good bookend.”
The symmetry told everything about the level of achievement for an Aurora Central Catholic team that reached the Elite Eight for the second time in four years.
The Chargers’ quest for a first trip to the state finals ended Tuesday with a competitive 1-0 loss to Chicago U-High in the Class 1A Benedictine Supersectional.
Anna Koenig-Ziesler scored the game-winner on a free kick in the 52nd minute for the Maroons (12-6-3).
“I wish we had organized quicker and been on top of it quicker defensively,” Montalbano said. “She made a good shot.”
Aurora Central Catholic (16-8-2) generated its best chances off the free kicks of junior defender Victoria Opperman. She had two of the Chargers’ three shots on goal.
ACC was dangerous but failed to string together the necessary push in the offensive third.
U-High also nullified senior forward Shannon LoPresti, who scored two goals in the ACC’s 3-1 victory over Stillman Valley in the sectional championship game.
“We were very excited to be back playing in the (supersectional) again for the second time,” LoPresti said. “We were pumped. I don’t think we played as well offensively as we did in the sectional. I thought we could have played harder.
“It’s sad to end like this, so close to state, but I really love my teammates, my coaches and the whole team aspect.”
ACC also played without senior midfielder/defender Anna Dudziak, the team’s an emotional leader. The Benedictine recruit suffered a knee injury in last week’s sectional semifinal, according to Chargers coach Kristy Kane.
“It is tough when you get this far to lose on a free kick that way,” Kane said. “For the seniors it would have been amazing to get to state.
“I thought even though U-High controlled the play a little more we had some dangerous opportunities we just did not finish on.”
Three years ago, ACC fell to Latin in its previous supersectional appearance.
“I remember telling them after that game they would probably never get back here because most teams do not return to this point,” Kane said. “They proved me wrong. What a lovely group of girls.
“A small school like us, we play freshmen and sophomores on varsity and these seniors made everyone feel welcome. They were truly great.”
Patrick Z. McGavin is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.