Eagles Win Regional Championship

Elgin, IL - It was cold and windy, but a Championship was on the line nonetheless as the Eagles hosted Trinity Christian in the NCCAA Regional Championship. 

The Eagles came in 5-5-8, the Trolls 8-6-6. The Trolls defeated Bethel in a regional qualifier to reach this game. With both teams coming from the CCAC it figured to be a tight contest. Earlier this year, the two teams tied 1-1 in a regular season match at Judson. 

The first half was well balanced with the Eagles controlling the shots 5-2 in a scoreless first half. Judson had a couple of scoring chances that bounced off of the post. 

In the second half, it was Trinity as more of the aggressors. They controlled the pace with the majority of the action in the JU zone. The Trolls tallied more shots 7-1 in the second half. But still no score in the column that most counts. 

With a scoreless game at the end of regulation, the two teams played a 10 minute overtime period in sudden death. 

Judson was able to take back momentum in the overtime period outshooting Trinity 7-1. Still scoreless, they went to a double overtime period. Both teams only managed a single shot in the second overtime, and after 110 minutes, the game was still tied 0-0. 

In goal, Eva Fernandez was credited with five saves. 

The battle for the right to go to the NCCAA National Tournament came down to penalty kicks. A best of five back and forth tiebreaker. 

Fernandez was able to stop the first two rounds of shots while the Eagles were able to get the first two on the board with goals by Maria Artaloitia and Kelly Leon. 

Trinity got their third to go in to stay alive, and Isabella Garrelts answered. In round four, the Trolls had a chance when their forth shot went in followed by a miss by Yeyahs Macias. 

With the score 3-2 Judson heading into round 5, Trinity tied it at 3 with their fifth shot. The final shot for Judson came down to senior Susan Kirsh. Kirsh was able to slow her start, fake the goalie, and find the net to win the penalty kicks 4-3. 

After a three hour marathon, the Eagles earned the victory as NCCAA Regional Champions. They will head to Kissimmee, FL the week of December 2nd for the NCCAA National Tournament.