Wade helps Father McGivney girls soccer punch state ticket

Claire Wade erased any nerves she and her teammates may have had with an early goal that set the tone for Father McGivney's first state tournament berth.

Wade scored on a header off a corner kick in the seventh minute as the Griffins controlled much of the game in a 3-0 win over Litchfield in the Class 1A Civic Memorial Super-Sectional on June 1 in Bethalto.

"It feels amazing," Wade said. "Our whole team has really been waiting for this moment. We've been working so hard, and it's absolutely amazing."

After falling to the eventual state champions in each of the past two seasons, Father McGivney finally punched its own ticket to the state tournament for the first time in program history.

The Griffins, who improved to 22-2-3, will play Timothy Christian at 5:30 p.m. Thursday in the state semifinals at Naperville's North Central College.

"I always like to believe things are possible," FMCHS senior Erin Kretzer said. "This has obviously been a dream. I thought it was possible all four years, and it's finally come true."

Litchfield ends its season at 24-2-2 after winning its first sectional championship in program history. The Purple Panthers will return four of their top five scorers next season.

Litchfield's offense, which entered the game averaging 5.7 goals per game, couldn't get much going against Father McGivney. The Griffins dominated possession, allowed only three shots on goal and earned all 13 corner kicks.

The Purple Panthers' best chance came in the 13th minute when their leading scorer Chloe Law was cut down by keeper and Peyton Ellis and the rebound attempt was knocked away by a defender.

FMCHS coach Jason Turkington credited a rebuilt defense for helping make that possible.

"I think a lot of people thought that we had all of our offense back, but we also had to rebuild the back line," he said. "We lost five players back there and replaced all five. Like I said last game, they've allowed us to do what we do. They've earned it."

The back line includes Wade, Allison Beltramea, Bristol Ellis and Lyla Hickam.

With Father McGivney free to attack, the Griffins cashed in on their first corner kick of the game.

Kretzer played a ball into the middle of the box, where Wade outjumped everyone and headed it into the net for a 1-0 lead with 33:25 left in the first half.

"I was telling myself, 'Come on, Claire, you've got it. Find the ball.' Erin served it in, and I was just trying to find it," Wade said. "I got my head on it, and I was like, 'Oh my gosh.'"

It was Kretzer's 11th assist on Wade's sixth goal of the season.

"It was a little difficult, but I ended up serving it in perfectly, and Claire came out of nowhere and absolutely smoked it into the back of the net," Kretzer said. "That's a player who wants to win. The way she attacked that ball and finished it, that's who she is."

Father McGivney continued to apply pressure and was awarded 10 corner kicks in the first half.

The Griffins had only Wade's goal to show for their effort until Beck drew a foul just outside the box and converted the ensuing free kick from 20 yards out in the 39th minute.

The Arkansas State recruit and All-State forward ripped a shot into the net for a 2-0 lead.

"That's why she practices that," Turkington said.

Beck extended her single-season program record to 36 goals and her career record to 102.

Despite continuing to control play in the second half, Father McGivney was unable to extend its lead until Bristol Ellis scored on a free kick from 35 yards out in the 75th minute to make it 3-0. It was her sixth goal of the season.

The defense took care of the rest as goalkeeper Peyton Ellis finished with three saves to secure her 19th shutout of the season and fifth straight.

The Griffins will now get a day to recover before turning their focus to the state tournament. The semifinals will be played Thursday, with the third-place game on Friday morning and the championship game on Saturday afternoon.

FMCHS isn't heading to Naperville satisfied with simply being there.

"I think every game you have to give it your all, do your best and support your teammates. That's the best thing you can do," Father McGivney junior Harper Dettmers said. "Going to state was definitely a goal, but now we want to take it as far as we can."

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