Girls Soccer: Sandburg, H-F reach sectional final

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Updated: August 4, 2011 4:20PM

Midway through the second half of Wednesday’s soccer sectional semifinal, top-seeded Sandburg found itself locked in a one-goal game with underdog Marist.

Then the Eagles found their killer instinct.

Sandburg scored twice in a 2½-minute span and added another goal in the closing minutes to turn it into a 4-0 rout in the Class 3A Mother McAuley Sectional at Brother Rice.

“We definitely stepped it up,” said sophomore Morgan Manzke, who scored two goals. “It was a great team effort. We know we’re going to have a tough game Friday and we wanted to play a good game to prepare for it.”

The Eagles (19-3-1) advanced to Friday’s final against Homewood-Flossmoor, a 2-0 winner over Lincoln-Way North in a game shortened because of lightning.

Shannon Stearns started the Sandburg surge with just over 21 minutes to go, finishing after Emily Osaba made a strong rush and sent a cross to a wide-open Stearns on the right side of the box.

With 18:42 to go, Manzke delivered the backbreaker. Camped out in the middle of the field, she took a Meghan Carmody pass and fired a perfectly placed shot into the upper left corner of the net to make it 3-0.

“I was wide open for a shot and it just went exactly where I wanted,” Manzke said.

Sioban Mulvey added the fourth goal with 2:28 left.

Marist (9-10-2) played a great first half, only surrendering a goal when Osaba was taken down in the box and given a penalty on a close call.

Manzke converted the penalty kick to give the Eagles the lead with 12:29 left.

Osaba, a freshman, was a key part of Sandburg’s attack all night.

“She played really well,” Sandburg coach Desi Vuillaume said. “She’s come a long way this year.”

Victoria Kappel made three saves to record her 18th shutout of the season.

The RedHawks’ best chance to draw even came early in the second half when Allison McGugan strongly struck a free kick on target from 45 yards out, but Kappel denied her.

Tori Jercich made two saves for Marist.

Homewood-Flossmoor 2, Lincoln-Way North 0: Homewood-Flossmoor (20-2) prevailed behind goals from Sammi Farkos and Kate Vendrely. Chrissy Coderre had an assist. The game was delayed by lightning with 34:13 left in the second half and called an official game after an hour delay. The Phoenix, which got three saves from Michelle Balcerzak, finished 17-7-1.

BASEBALL

Class 4A St. Ignatius Regional

No. 6 Mount Carmel 17, Curie 0: Jeff Boehm (3-for-5) had a homer and three RBI and Sam Kint (3-for-4) had four RBI to lead Mount Carmel (28-7) to Saturday’s regional title game.

Class 4A St. Laurence Regional

No. 3 St. Laurence 8, Stagg 2: Mike Chimera (9-3) pitched a complete game, Bryan Villanova (3-for-4) had two RBI and Kevin Smith (2-for-4) had two runs to lead St. Laurence (28-6) to Saturday’s regional championship game.

Class 4A St. Rita Regional

No. 4 St. Rita 3, Brooks 1: Scott Thomas (10-2) struck out 11 in a complete game, Zach Soria had two RBI and Stefano Belmonte had an RBI to lead St. Rita (29-6) to Saturday’s regional championship game.

Class 2A Reed-Custer Sectional

Prairie Central 3, Chicago Christian 2: Jon Lemmenes homered for Chicago Christian (30-8), as the Knights fell in the 11-inning sectional semifinal.

SOFTBALL

Class 4 A Reavis Regional

Reavis 6, Argo 2: Meghan Higgins (8-6) struck out seven in a complete game and had an RBI double, while Ally Balandis had three RBI for Reavis (19-10). The Rams will take on Trinity in Saturday’s regional championship game.

Class 3A Queen of Peace Regional

Queen of Peace 19, Cristo Rey 1: Kristi Gierman, Steph Rich and Kaylynn Yerkes all homered for Peace (12-14) in the regional semifinal. The Pride will play Wheaton-St. Francis in the regional championship Saturday.

BOYS VOLLEYBALL

De La Salle Regional

Reavis 25-25-25, De La Salle 23-27-15: Reavis took home the squad’s fourth consecutive regional championship.

Lincoln-Way East Regional

Lincoln-Way East 25-27, Brother Rice 22-25: Lincoln-Way East (30-7) claimed the regional championship behind nine kills from Nate Royer and eight kills from John Kanapick. Brother Rice finished 17-14.

Marian Catholic Regional

Providence 25-25, Lincoln-Way North 21-23: Marty Ross had 12 kills and four blocks, Tim Sanders had seven kills and Karl Schramm had 18 assists to help Providence (23-9) claim the regional title. North finished the season 24-13.

St. Rita Regional

St. Rita 25-25, Mount Carmel 11-14: St. Rita (20-17) claimed the regional championship behind nine kills from Joe Biros and 11 kills from Bobby Gallagher.

Contributing: Chris Murphy