By Chris Metcalf
LCAA’S FINEST
WARSAW – Section V’s most competitive bracket this fall is the Class C2 girls, featuring three defending champions and two state semifinalists.
Keshequa fears nobody.
Libby Benner’s perfect header off a well-placed Kelsey Davis corner kick in sudden-death overtime lifted No. 3 Keshequa past No. 7 Wheatland-Chili 3-2 in the Class C2 semifinals Tuesday night in Warsaw.
This game went back and forth all night with Keshequa leading 1-0 midway through the opening half when Benner’s rocket direct kick from 30 yards out deflected off a W-C defender and into the net.
But the Lady Wildcats would score a pair of goals to take the 2-1 lead in the second half.
Trailing by a goal with 15 minutes left, Davis ripped a direct kick into the back of the net 25 yards out tying the game up once again and ultimately sending the contest into an extra session.
Late in regulation, however, Keshequa keeper Isabellla Hugi came up with a massive save on a one-on-one situation with a W-C player that saved the night for the Indians.
With no one scoring in the first overtime, the Indians pressed Wheatland’s defense during the sudden death period and was awarded a corner kick just under two minutes in where Davis, a senior captain, served up a beautiful ball into the box where Benner put a head on it to send Keshequa players into a frenzy.
It was the senior Benner’s 19th goal of the year.
The thrilling victory sends Keshequa (17-2-0) into the finals Friday against defending state finalist Byron-Bergen (16-3-0), in what is expected to be an extremely competitive game.
The game will be played Friday night at 7:30 p.m. at Gates-Chili HS.
“Reaching the sectional finals is something all teams strive for every year,” Keshequa coach Pat Forrester said. “Our class is loaded this year with three sectional champions and two state semifinalists. We are super excited to be back this year and are looking forward to Friday.”
Keshequa has outscored their opponents 99-9 this season.
Byron-Bergen has outscored their opponents 113-16.
This one will be a classic.
