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Briggs’ goal lifts Lemont past Joliet Catholic
Updated: May 25, 2011 8:29PM
NEW LENOX — Shannon Briggs worked her way down the right side, rolled a shot from 25 yards out that slipped inside the left post late in the first half and Lemont had all it needed to move deeper into the postseason.
Kimberly Jerantowski lifted her arms as the game ended and joined teammates Kelly Trojak, Briggs and Meghan Leibforth near midfield to celebrate the 1-0 victory Wednesday over Joliet Catholic in a Class 2A Lincoln-Way West Sectional semifinal.
“It put us on top and gave us a lead to work with,’’ Briggs said of her goal with 4 minutes, 43 seconds left in the half. “I was just trying to get it on the net and it went in, barely. But a goal is a goal, so I’ll take it.’’
Lemont advances to the sectional title game Saturday to face the winner of the second semifinal between Illiana Christian and Tinley Park that was suspended because of bad weather. The 1-1 contest will resume at 4:30 p.m. today with 16:28 left in the first half.
Lemont coach Rick Prangen is happy to get to the championship game, but not so happy with his team’s ball movement.
“That was not the way we usually play,’’ Prangen said. “I think the surface, getting used to that. This was our first game on artificial turf in quite some time. I think that impacted us a little bit.’’
Freshman goalkeeper Kelly Fritz earned the shutout for Lemont (20-4), including a couple sure-handed saves late in the second half.
Prangen praised the effort of starting outside midfielders Amber Trick and Sydney Goushas, as well as the play of defender Morgan Rex off the bench.
“She (Rex) gave us great energy off the bench in the second half,’’ Prangen said.
Joliet Catholic’s Lisa Regganie stepped in front of a shot for goalkeeper Katie Ibarra to keep it a one-goal game with 12 minutes to play.
“Today’s game was real tough,’’ Joliet Catholic coach Oscar Valdez said. “I give credit to Lemont. They came out to play. They’re real hard to play.’’
Joliet Catholic (7-7-2), which won the Lincoln-Way West Regional, loses Western Illinois-bound Lindsay Condon, Casey Dollinger, Kylie Conti and Ibarra to graduation.
“I’ve still got a good core coming back,’’ Valdez said, citing sophomore starters Rachel Zampa, Maddie Kennedy, Stefani D’Andrea and Megan Matthews.
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