^{Preview Play-by-play Recap}

Recap

Semifinal #1: Fenwick 8 Mother McAuley 4

LINCOLNSHIRE, IL - Fenwick is heading back to the state championship game after a strong defensive performance earned them an 8-4 victory over rival Mother McAuley on Saturday morning. The Friars actually trailed 3-2 after the first play of the second quarter, but held the Mighty Macs scoreless for over fifteen minutes during a 6-0 run that spanned three quarters.

McAuley was on top early on, after early goals from Vicky Arciniega and Jackie Knightly. But the Friars responded with goals from Maggie Carey and Gena Wendt to tie the score at 6-6 after one period. Clare Bryar scored on McAuley's first possession of the second quarter, but it was the last time the Mighty Macs would find the back of the net until late in the final quarter.

Trailing 3-2, Cara Borkovec and Annie Collins scored consecutive goals in the first minute of the second period to give the Friars their first lead of the contest. Colleen Barron added a goal shortly thereafter, allowing the Fenwick defense to focus on shutting down Arciniega and company for the rest of the period.

McAuley's frustration went from bad to worse early in the second half, as Arciniega was called for her third ejection, and the confusion resulted in a Fenwick penalty. Sarah Abbott made a five-meter save and several saves soon after to keep the Mighty Macs in the game, Colleen Barron added a goal midway through the third period to give Fenwick a 6-3 lead.

The Fenwick defense continued to rise to the occasion, while Carey and Haley Wickham each added scores in the last quarter to give the Friars an 8-3 advantage. Knightly quickly scored her second goal to cut the lead to 8-4, but that was all the offense McAuley could generate before the final whistle sounded.

Colleen Barron and Maggie Carey led the balanced Fenwick offense with two goals apiece, while Borkovec, Collins, Wendt, and Wickham each notched one score for the Friars. Knightly led McAuley with 2 goals, while Arciniega and Bryar each scored one time in the losing effort for McAuley.