A windy and cold Friday evening could have turned a lot worse for Erica Iantorno, a sophomore on Hinsdale Central’s girls soccer team.
Iantorno’s foul in the 72nd minute led to a penalty kick by Waubonsie Valley’s Brittany Potts and a 1-0 Warriors lead. But she redeemed herself by scoring with 13.4 seconds left to give the visiting Red Devils a 1-1 tie in the opening round of the Naperville Invitational.
“You have to take your chances, especially when it gets down to the last few seconds,” Iantorno said. “Any second of the game can be a goal.”
For the first 4,000-plus seconds, there were no goals as the goalkeepers–Hinsdale’s Becca Clarin and Waubonsie’s Amanda Boe–dominated. Boe’s best save came in the 11th minute when she stretched to save a shot by Emily Pickard. Clarin had to make a one-handed save on a shot by Laura Murphy.
Each keeper had six saves.
But the ninth-ranked Warriors (8-2-1) got the first break when Iantorno tackled Annie Lorenz in the penalty area. Clarin got a hand on Potts’ penalty kick, but the shot had too much force.
“That’s my goal for the PK, just hit it hard and low, and usually goalies have a pretty hard time getting there,” Potts said. “But she’s a really good goalie.”
Iantorno got her shot at redemption thanks to an assist from fellow sophomore Claire Watkins. Iantorno’s shot from 20 yards sailed over Boe’s head to give Hinsdale Central (5-3-4) the tie.
“I tried to stay composed as much as I can, especially when I’m shooting,” Iantorno said.
No. 1 New Trier and Kayanne Gummersall had no trouble in their tournament opener, a 5-0 victory over Lincoln-Way East (7-4).
Gummersall had three goals and an assist for the Trevians, who improved to 10-1. She now has 13 goals and 11 assists.
