Warriors, Beachler topple Whips

HAMPSHIRE -- And the legend grows.

Hampered by a foot injury and inserted into the lineup with 14:40 left in the first half, Westminster Christian senior Tyler Beachler scored career goal No. 98 eight minutes later to lead the sixth-seeded Warriors past No. 2 Hampshire 1-0 on Thursday in the semifinals of the Whip-Purs' own Class 1A Sectional.

Two days earlier, Beachler, slowed by a deep bruise on his right foot, played only the final eight minutes of regulation before scoring the game-winner in overtime to help the Warriors knock out third-seeded Keith Country Day. Beachler, who now has 25 goals this season, also scored the Warriors' first goal of the postseason in a first-round victory against St. Edward.

"He's just amazing," Warriors coach Josh Guge said. "He can only play a certain amount of minutes right now so we have to be careful about using him."

Westminster, which tied a school-record with its 13th win of the season, advances to play top-seeded Winnebago on Monday in the finals. Previously, the Warriors (13-9-3) had never advanced past the second round in sectional play.

"Everybody else might call this an upset, but we knew we could do this," Guge said. "This is big for this school and I'm proud of everyone of these players. Everyone has stepped up (in the postseason) and they all deserve this for all the hard work they've put in."

The loss for Hampshire not only spelled the end of the season, but it also marked the final game for coach Pat O'Brien. O'Brien announced after the match that he will remain as the girls coach at the school, but will no longer coach the boys program.

"This is it. I definitely won't be back," said O'Brien, who cited "pressure from parents" and a need for more time with his family for his decision that was made prior to the beginning of the season. "The seniors were the reason I came back this year and I've had a wonderful time with this group. But this was it for me."

Beachler's heroics were that much more amazing considering it was the only shot on goal for the Warriors all evening. But it was all they needed. Hampshire (14-7-1) registered only three shots on goal, including none in the second half.

"Our defense has been amazing," Warriors goalie Ethan Flickinger said. "Those guys have been doing me a lot of favors."

Beachler scored with 6:18 left in the first half after a long cross into the middle of the box by senior Cory Hodge left Beachler in a one-on-one situation with Hampshire goalkeeper Cameron Rath. As the ball descended out of the air, Beachler leapt and headed the ball over Rath's outstretched arms and into the back of the net as the two collided.

"Cory sent a beautiful ball in and I saw the goalie out of the corner of my eye coming out to get ball," said Beachler, who moved into a tie for 34th place all-time in the state in career goals scored, according to the IHSA Web site. "I was going to do whatever I had to do to get that ball."

Hampshire's best scoring chance came midway through the first half when senior Jose Lopez slammed a shot over Flickinger and off of the top of the post. Six minutes later, in the 25th minute, a shot by sophomore Robert Murphy called for Flickinger to make a diving save.

"It just seemed we played as if we were afraid to lose," O'Brien said. "And when you play like that you usually end up losing and ultimately that's what happened tonight."