NEW: IWA, St. Theresa’s set for titanic match-up in Class 2 semifinals
Beekman excited to have team playing at home again
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| Damon Bell photo - Incarnate Word Academy's Blake Miller gets a shot off between Neuqua Valley's Lauren Noonan, left, and Kelsey Mulcahy during Saturday's game. The shot would find the back of the net to put IWA up 2-0 in the first half. |
It’s not just because her Red Knights and St. Theresa’s Academy of suburban Kansas City are two of the state’s top programs, either.
It’s special because her team is coming home.“I’m just excited,” Beekman said. “With the weather and our (playoff) games (in Columbia and Rolla), a lot of our fans have not really had a chance to see us. I’ve heard from a lot of people around us that have said they are coming to the game, and that will be great. It’s going to be great to play in front of family, friends and fans again. I even have some old teammates coming out, which will be nice.”
What should be nice is the match-up between two great soccer teams. Between them, IWA (six) and St. Theresa'’ (14) have given up just 20 goals in 46 combined games.
St. Theresa’s coach Scott Siegel underscored the IWA defensive exploits when he was asked about what he knew of the St. Louis area team.
“That’s the first thing I know, they don’t give up many goals,” Siegel said. “We played them when our seniors were freshmen (in the 2005 Class 2 title game, which STA won 2-0). You just know they’re going to be good.”
While the defense has been potent for IWA (18-2-1), St. Theresa’s (23-2) has been on an offensive tear during its 14-game winning streak, in which the Stars have averaged 4.5 goals per game.
Leading the St. Theresa’s offense has been sophomore forward Maegan Kelly with her 34 goals and seven assists.
“I know she’s a Gatorade Player of the Year,” said Beekman of Kelly. “They have a great team, a great program and a great tradition. All I really know is that we’ve got to focus on what we can do about how we play. If we play our best, smartest soccer, we’ll be all right.”
In addition to Kelly, the St. Theresa’s offense has been led by senior midfielder Molly Campbell’s 12 goals and 23 assists, as well as freshman forward Caroline Gray’s 10 goals and 11 assists.
The diversity of his offense is something that has Siegel breathing a sigh of relief, considering how things were to begin the season.
“We weren’t scoring a lot, and then we put Maegan up there and that’s proved to be a smart decision.” Siegel said. “Caroline then started to score at a high rate when teams keyed on Maegan.”
Another area in which the teams are comparable is in goal, where IWA senior Lauren Potzman and STA sophomore Mary Warwick have been strong on the backline.
Potzman has allowed just six goals and has 11 shutouts to her credit, while Warwick has allowed 11 goals and has 10 shutouts.
“Mary has been awesome back there, even though she’s been hurt some,” Siegel said. “You never have to hold your breath when she makes a save.”
Warwick may be tested unlike any other game this season, however, as she’ll get a look at IWA senior forwards Blake Miller with her 18 goals and six assists, senior midfielder Allie Brazill’s six goals and three assists and senior defender Drea Barklage’s five goals and five assists.
Win or lose, Beekman has been very thankful for her first season at the IWA helm.
“This has been very special for me,” she said. “It’s my first year and I’m going to enjoy these last two games no matter what happens. These girls have a special place with me and I’m proud of what they’ve done.”
The winner of Friday’s semifinal will play either St. Joseph’s Academy (19-2-1) or Hazelwood Central (17-9-1) in Saturday’s 2 p.m. championship match.
The losers of Friday’s games will meet in the 1 p.m. third-place game.
Headed into this season, IWA has won seven state titles, with the most recent being a Class 2 championship in 2004, while St. Theresa’s has won four, with the most recent coming in 2006.
