Timothy's run back to state falls short in sectional final

Timothy Christian's Ali Groot tries to head in a goal over Immaculate Conception goalie Kelly Mulligan during their regional championship game at Timothy Christian May 19.
(Curtis Lehmkuhl/Staff Photographer)

June 2, 2009 By KEN RYAN kryan@pioneerlocal.com

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SOCCER -- When Timothy Christian senior Kelsey Kaczynski was promoted to varsity as a sophomore and got to experience the program's first-ever state appearance, she was hoping it wouldn't be the only time.

While the Trojans didn't quite make it back, they did make a serious run this season.

Timothy lost to Rockford Lutheran 3-0 in the Class 1A Rockford Christian Sectional final May 26.

"It means a lot to the team, especially the seniors, that we got this close to state," said Kaczynski, who was a captain this season. "Everyone worked so hard and for the coaches to be able to see how much we accomplished was a really good feeling."

Rockford Lutheran (21-2-3) went on to place third at state.

Timothy (11-10-2) trailed just 1-0 at halftime, but allowed an own goal about 10 minutes into the second half to fall behind 2-0 and never recovered.

"We went into the match knowing they were tough defensively and hardly allowed any goals," Timothy coach Oliver Hersey said. "They marked Katie Dirkse, who had three goals in the sectional semifinal, and we anticipated them locking her down, but it shellshocked us a little more than it should have. We had our hands full with their speed."

Despite the loss, Kaczynski will have nothing but fond memories of her senior season.

"It was one of the best years I've had playing soccer," Kaczynski said. "It was a lot of fun being a captain. We had a great group of girls that really bonded well. Everyone was always willing to put forth their best and they were fun to be around."

Timothy reached the sectional final with an impressive 4-1 win over Rockford Christian May 22 in the sectional semifinal.

Rockford Christian boasted an impressive 17-2-2 record.

"I was proud of them," Hersey said. "They really peaked and started playing well. They really came together at the end and showed what they were really capable of doing. I was asked if we overachieved and I don't think that's the case at all. We earned some great wins. They came out determined to prove everyone wrong that despite our record we were a good team."

The Trojans will graduate Kaczynski, Dirkse, Ali Groot, Lindsey Holtrop, Marybeth Langkamp, Shannon McNeil, Corrine Wieringa and Katie Vanderveld.

"We graduate eight seniors and everyone of them played significant minutes," Hersey said. "Kelsey (Kaczynski) and Katie Dirkse, our two captains, will be big shoes to fill next year, but I'm confident the underclassmen will be able to step up and fill those shoes."