Wheaton Academy hangs on for win

Updated: May 26, 2011 12:32PM

The Suburban Christian Conference is up for grabs this year, and Wheaton Academy made sure it stayed that way on Monday in West Chicago.

On the heels of a 4-0 SCC loss to Marian Central, the Warriors (7-4, 5-1) got goals from Crystal Thomas and Ally Witt in a 2-1 win over visiting St. Francis (10-5-2, 4-1).

“We knew we needed to step it up because that loss was not typical of us,” Thomas said. “We went hard to every tackle tonight and played for the girl next to us.”

Witt galloped in directly at goal with a defender on her hip and scored just four minutes into the contest, but St. Francis tied the game on a nifty bit of work from Andi Matichak. The junior striker chipped a ball into the box, split a pair of defenders, and headed home the tying goal at 13 minutes.

“When I was in eighth grade I was in a camp at the University of Georgia and a girl chipped a ball over me. I felt so stupid,” Matichak said. “When I got home I practiced it for a month and a half until I could time it right. It has paid off a couple of times with a goal.”

Thomas, who now has 12 goals and 11 assists in only 11 games played for Wheaton Academy this year, grabbed the spotlight at 22 minutes. The junior’s game-winner came on a low-rolling, left-footed shot from the left side that hit the far post and nestled into the goal.

All Thomas did was pick her way around three or four defenders to set up the strike.

“Crystal was so good,” Warriors coach Scott Marksberry said. “Her work rate set her apart tonight. As good a player as she is, she just works. She probably ran six miles tonight.”

While no scoring occurred in the second half, Witt and Thomas made their presence felt in the final third while the Spartans sent numerous serves into the box that went for naught.

St. Francis hosts Marian Central on May 12 in a game that could well decide the SCC title this season. Spartans assistant coach Kristin Keigley was happy with the Spartans’ play on Monday, but disappointed with their inability to execute in the final third.

“It was frustrating to hold possession but keep turning it over in the offensive third,” Keigley said. “And the long balls we were serving were directly at the keeper.”

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