Abbey Ondrus had never scored a goal during her two-year varsity soccer career at Metea Valley. And she had never attempted a penalty kick.
The senior midfielder hadn’t played at all during Saturday’s Class 3A state championship game until the unprecedented ninth round of the shootout.
That was her moment.
“I just had faith in myself,” Ondrus said. “All it takes is you have to believe in yourself and you have to know your team is surrounding you and supporting you.
“I know I haven’t played a lot this season, but I love these girls to death and I thank them for always being there for me. With their courage and support, I knew I could it.”
Ondrus did indeed, firing her shot past lunging Barrington goalkeeper Avery Trapp and inside the right post to give the Mustangs a 1-0 victory and the first state title in program history.
Metea won 6-5 in the shootout, the longest ever in a state championship game, following 100 scoreless minutes of regulation and overtime at North Central College in Naperville.
When it was over, Andrus didn’t know how to react as her teammates charged onto the field.
“It was exhilarating,” Ondrus said. “Honestly, after my goal went in, I was so shocked. I turned around and froze. I didn’t know what to do.
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“It wasn’t until ‘Jocie’ (Jocelyn Grabow) ran up to me and hugged me that I started crying and realized, ‘Oh, my gosh, we just won state.'”
Despite being committed to NCAA Division II McKendree, Ondrus isn’t a big name for the Mustangs (22-2-1) because she hasn’t seen much playing time this season.
But Metea coach Chris Whaley knows her capabilities.
“You don’t really know Abbey,” Whaley said. “She’s a glue kid. She keeps the team together. She’s in it every minute whether she’s on the field or off the field.”
Ondrus wasn’t on the field while the Mustangs tried to score in regulation and OT against the Fillies, who did not allow a goal in the playoffs.
Barrington (23-3) couldn’t score Saturday either as senior goalkeeper Julia Straub continued her amazing postseason play with six saves, including a tremendous diving stop on Piper Lucier with four minutes left in regulation.
“I put my sweatshirt on and was just cheering on my team,” Ondrus said. “Julia had amazing saves throughout the entire game and especially in PKs.
“Then when it got down to my chance, I wanted to take it because I knew I could do it.”
The shootout was tied 3-3 after the initial five rounds, requiring both teams to pick another five shooters. When Metea’s coaches asked for volunteers, Ondrus raised her hand.
“I just wanted to be there for my team,” Ondrus said.
So did Straub, who stopped two of Barrington’s nine shooters.
“I saw my family in the crowd, so that was awesome,” Straub said. “Before the PKs, Lucy Burk was like, ‘You’ve got this.’
“I hate PKs. It was definitely a very intense and nerve-wracking way to end the game, but I’m so proud to be a part of this team.”
It took contributions from nearly everyone to win it.
Jordan Lange, Riley Strcic, Tyra King, Grabow and Olivia Hernandez all converted in the shootout, with the last three shots averting defeat.
In the eighth round, Barrington’s Caitlin Paul hit the post before Trapp stopped Ella Johnson to keep the Fillies alive.
Barrington’s Meredith McGreevy’s shot then struck the crossbar, leaving the state title on the toe of Andrus.
“Beautiful shot,” Straub said. “I’m so proud of Abbey. I knew she could do it.”
In a moment that will be remembered forever at Metea, Ondrus came through with the history-making shot, capping a season in which the Mustangs went unbeaten against Illinois competition with a roster of talented if unheralded players.
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“That couldn’t have happened to a better kid,” Whaley said. “It’s a pretty unselfish group.
“There’s a lot of talent, but there’s also a lot of role players, people that have different skill sets and strengths. We’ve really leaned on each other, and it obviously works.”
Ondrus had a feeling it would.
“We had great energy,” Ondrus said. “I felt it the entire game.
“It was a struggle sometimes being on the bench and not being able to play, so being able to get this opportunity and being able to win it for us is just amazing.”
Matt Le Cren is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.