DEMOTTE | Boone Grove got goals from someone other than Paige Aguilera and Mackenzie Starcevich Tuesday as the Wolves beat host Covenant Christian 2-0 in Class A quarterfinal action.
Times No. 9 Boone (15-2) advanced to Thursday’s second semifinal game to play Rochester, which beat Hebron 1-0 in a shootout to advance. Rensselaer battles Argos in the opener.
“Combined I think they have like 70 goals,” Boone coach Chad Roggow said. “Paige has 41 and Mackenzie has close to 30.”
Amy Guerrero and Claudia Cooper stepped up and scored goals for Boone.
“I was just proud of their effort,” Roggow said.
As well as Boone played on offense, it was its defense that made the difference. Covenant Christian (12-5-1) managed just one shot on goal.
“I was waiting for our defense to have that stellar game, and we just really kept them away from our final third,” Roggow said.
Roggow also credited the play of sweeper Olivia McCafferty.
“Everything is in front of her, and she has great footwork,” he said. “She just knows what to do and when to do it.”
McCafferty said she was focused on stopping Covenant’s Katy Long and Sophie Van Keppel.
“I knew they were really fast,” she said. “I’m on the back end, so I knew I had to keep up with them.”
Boone got on the board when Guerrero knocked in a rebound at the 17:51 mark. The Wolves increased their advantage early in the second half as midfielder Claudia Cooper powered one in from 30 yards out for a 2-0 lead.
“She just put it in a good spot, and it’s hard for any good goalie to make that save,” Roggow said.
Covenant coach Aaron de Jager was proud of how hard his team fought.
“Everyone played to the best of their abilities,” he said. “I’m just glad Paige and Mackenzie are graduating.”
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