Lincoln-Way Central's varsity girls soccer team demonstrated their resilience and skill by staging a second-half comeback to defeat Andrew 2-1, securing the Windy City Classic championship on Saturday at Reavis High School.
The Knights entered the final match with a strong record, having outscored their opponents 18-2 in their first four games, including a decisive 6-1 victory over De La Salle in the semi-finals. However, it was their determination and perseverance during the final that secured their win.
Despite trailing 1-0 at halftime due to a free-kick goal from Andrew's Emily Crotty, Lincoln-Way Central maintained composure. They continued to press forward, controlling much of the second half. Head coach Sean Fahey said, "Yeah, I mean, this game is always a battle," adding that they "dug deep, stayed composed, and got the job done."
Sophomore midfielder Jules Rafacz sparked the comeback with an impressive goal from outside the box in the 19th minute. Rafacz said she didn't remember how she got it but saw space and took a shot that went in after bouncing off the crossbar.
As time dwindled down, Lincoln-Way Central earned a penalty following sustained pressure in the box. Senior defender Abby Sudkamp confidently converted it into the game-winning goal. Sudkamp expressed her relief by saying, "I needed that," noting it gave her a significant boost.
According to Fahey, Lincoln-Way Central's defense held firm in the final minutes to secure their victory and improve their record to 5-0. He said they are proud of this start but acknowledged there are big games ahead and emphasized that "this is just the beginning."