Kujawa's overtime goal puts Mustangs in semis

Downers Grove South celebrates its 1-0 overtime victory over Carmel.
(Joseph P. Meier/SouthtownStar)

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The best storyline going into Friday’s Class AA girls soccer state quarterfinals at North Central College in Naperville was Downers Grove South's quest for its first state crown.

Not just for the program, but also for longtime coach Barry Jacobson, who this season became the only coach in Illinois history to win 400 career games.

Thanks to freshman Keri Kujawa’s goal with 1:57 to play in overtime, another chapter will be added to Jacobson’s historic career as the Mustangs (21-6) advanced to Saturday’s 9 a.m. semifinal with a 1-0 victory over Carmel (22-2).

‘‘We’re thrilled to be playing [today],’’ said Jacobson, who owns a career record of 420-123-49 since 1984. ‘‘We’re not a big-star team, but we’ve played a tough schedule and these girls work hard.’’

Downers South, which entered quarterfinal play with more losses than any of its seven counterparts, dodged a couple early bullets off the feet of Carmel’s Sara Petermann (37 goals, 20 assists) and sophomore Kassidy Brown (17 goals, 18 assists).

‘‘We just couldn’t finish,’’ Petermann said. ‘‘We had opportunities.

‘‘It was a great season and fun, but it’s disappointing that it’s all over.’’

The Corsairs managed to unload six shots on goal, but goalie Kelli Kubal came up big when needed. And one of the biggest reasons the Carmel attack was held in check was due to the outstanding play of Downers South defender Jessica Jamie.

‘‘We played great defensively, and Jess did a great job [marking Petermann],’’ Kubal said. ‘‘We played a great schedule and played against a lot of good players this season. We have a good team.’’

Since suffering a 5-3 loss to Naperville Central back on April 24, Kubal and Co. have only allowed seven goals in their last 12 games. And despite having only one player with double-digit goals (Danielle Janowiak), the Mustangs’ offensive attack has produced 38 goals during that same stretch.

"We knew Carmel would be tough, but we were ready,’’ Kujawa said. ‘‘Now we just have to get ready for [today].’’