Father McGivney routs Columbia to win first girls soccer sectional
May 31-Father McGivney captured the program's first sectional championship behind an explosive start Friday night.
Layla Tobin scored less than two minutes into the game to kick start an offensive outburst, as the Griffins overwhelmed the Columbia Eagles 6-0 in Class 1A Columbia Sectional championship game.
The Griffins' win avenged last season's 1-0 loss to the eventual state champion Eagles in the sectional championship game.
"I think we were all waiting for this game," Tobin said. "This was the highlight of the season, or at least one of the biggest games."
FMCHS improved to 21-2-3 and advanced to play Litchfield (24-1-2) in the Civic Memorial Super-Sectional at 5 p.m. June 1 in Bethalto. The Griffins will be seeking their first state tournament appearance. Litchfield won its own sectional with a 3-1 win over Marquette Catholic.
Columbia ended its season at 15-9-1, suffering its second 6-0 loss of the season - the other was against Class 3A state power New Trier.
After failing to break through in last season's sectional championship game, the Griffins overwhelmed the Eagles with three goals in each half. Natalie Beck had one goal and three assists, while Harper Dettmers, Kinley Dettmers and Erin Kretzer each had a goal and assist and Tobin and Sofia Rossetto each had a goal.
"We got the first goal, got the second, and just kept going. We stayed disciplined and played our game," Father McGivney coach Jason Turkington said.
Tobin opened the scoring in the second minute, blasting a right-footed shot into the top of the goal for the 1-0 lead. Beck assisted on Tobin's 22nd goal.
"I think that first goal set the tone immediately. It shut them down," Tobin said.
Seven minutes later, Beck made it 2-0 lead when the Arkansas State recruit headed in a shot from the middle of the box. It was her 101st career goal and her 35th of the season - both are program records.
"I honestly had no idea it was going in. It surprised me," Beck said.
FMCHS keeper Peyton Ellis preserved the two-goal lead with a diving save in the 23rd minute and then came up with another stop on the ensuing corner kick.
Ellis finished with five saves for the team's 17th shutout.
"I wasn't too worried back there, but I had to make a few saves. I thought it was a pretty good night overall," Ellis said. "I wouldn't have wanted too many more chances coming my way."
Kinley Dettmers made it 3-0 in the 32nd minute, getting a shot past the goal line before a defender could knock it out. Beck had the assist. It was the freshman's ninth goal of the season.
Ten minutes into the second half, Harper Dettmers scored, heading in a free kick from Kretzer for the 4-0 lead. It was her fourth goal of the season.
Kretzer upped the lead to 5-0 when her free kick from 45 yards snuck underneath the crossbar and into the back of the net in the 53rd minute. It was her sixth goal of the season.
Rossetto finished off the scoring, striking a shot off of the Columbia keeper and in for the 6-0 lead in the 60th minute. It was her 16th goal of the season.
Columbia was unable to break up the shutout, as the Griffins rode out the final 20 minutes with their defense.
"Our back line has been fantastic since we lost Hayden (Etcheson) a couple weeks ago," Turkington said. "Claire Wade, Ali Beltramea and Bristol Ellis are all sophomores, and (Lyla) Hickam is a freshman.
"They've allowed our offense to be what it is. Without them doing their jobs, none of this works. Obviously, Peyton has been our leader in goal."
It all added up to a lopsided win and history for the Griffins, who are now a win away from their first state tournament appearance after lifting the sectional championship plaque for the first time.
"It feels like a weight has been lifted off our shoulders a little bit," Tobin said. "We have a lot more left, but this feels really good."
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