UNION TWP | Wheeler’s offense kept rolling Thursday night, while Andrean scored twice in the first half to also advance to Saturday's sectional championship.
The host Bearcats crushed Bishop Noll 12-1, while the 59ers shut out Marquette 3-0 in semifinal play.
Seven players scored for Wheeler. The Bearcats’ offense struck quickly, scoring three goals in a two-minute span only eight minutes into the game. Shannon Eden scored in the seventh minute on a shot that skirted into the left side of the net, and Lani Eaton scored from 10 yards out less than a minute later. Alexa Fratzke took a corner kick, and after Noll and Wheeler players fought for the ball, Terra Philips kicked the ball into the net.
“It put us down in a hole early, making it tough to get out,” Bishop Noll coach Eric Schmiedl said. “But the girls still held their heads high and gave it their all. They gave it a decent fight out there, so I’m happy. “
Eden and Philips accounted for half of Wheeler’s goals. Eden scored from 15 yards out to put the Bearcats up 5-0 and added another goal in the second half. Philips would get two goals back to back in the 42nd and 48th minute for Wheeler (16-2).
“Shannon’s as good in the midfield as we’ve seen all year. I’m glad she on our team,” Wheeler coach Bryan Murray said. “Shannon’s the catalyst for what we do in the middle of the field; she really sets a good tempo and good at defensive transition and is as versatile as they come. She’s gifted out there to make those plays.”
Andrean, which lost 3-0 to Wheeler earlier in the season, scored two goals in the first half to edge Marquette.
Andrean (7-7-1) and Marquette had a soggy field for their matchup. Rachel Bryan got the 59ers on the board in the 30th minute off a free kick from Liz Krilich. Marquette goalkeeper Rosie Wall stepped out of the goal to make the save, and Bryan was able to punch it in.
Natalie Nowensick added another goal three minutes later on a kick 20 yards out to put the 59ers up 2-0 at halftime.
Marquette was unable to get any shots on goal in the first half, but had a few opportunities in the second half that were just wide of the net. Andrean limited Marquette to three shots on goal.
“I think the biggest thing was that we controlled the ball,” Andrean coach Tony Pagorek said. “In these types of conditions, it was a must that we played on the ground. We played our game, and I credit the girls for practicing what we preach.”
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