Kaneland’s John McCaffrey didn’t really think about the goal he scored in the opening minute of Saturday’s Class 2A regional championship game against Rochelle.
It was unlike his preparation for taking the penalty kick in the game-deciding shootout. He did use some strategy on that shot.
McCaffrey was the fourth consecutive player to convert in PKs for Kaneland. Rochelle had its second attempt denied by goalkeeper Hunter Smith and missed its fourth, giving the host Knights a 4-2 decision in the shootout.
The teams played to a 2-2 tie in regulation and two overtimes.
“One of my teammates said the goalie commits to his side early so when I walked up I was going to shoot right,” McCaffrey said of the shootout. “When I stepped up, he went right so I slotted it to the other side of the goal.
“I was going right to where the goalie stepped so I was glad I realized that.”
Kaneland (15-3-3), unbeaten in its last 16 games, went ahead 1-0 just 49 seconds into the first half on McCaffrey’s goal. That had to feel like a lifetime ago by the time things were decided more than two hours later.
The Knights advanced to play Timothy Christian at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday in a Wheaton Academy Sectional semifinal.
“It was a nice volley from outside the box, and honestly, I didn’t even think about it,” he said of the first goal. “It just happened and the next thing I knew the ball was in the back of the net.
“That’s when things are best when you don’t think, but you just do it.”
Rochelle (12-8-1), a team with just two seniors and only one in the starting lineup, tied the game at 1-1 with 10:08 remaining in the first half when Adolfo Flores lofted a shot against the wind into the far corner of the net.
Kaneland answered with 6:54 remaining before halftime as Devin Pieczynski found Tucker Jahns for a header goal.
The Knights couldn’t hold onto their lead, though, as Rochelle freshman Brayan Orozco scored with 30:18 left in regulation to force a 2-2 tie. The Hubs created several other scoring chances but could not finish.
Scoring opportunities proved elusive for the Knights for most of the second half and OT, although Pieczynski had a free kick punched away by Rochelle goalkeeper Mason DeLille midway through the first extra session.
“Kaneland’s a tough squad,” Hubs coach Brad Male said. “We’re a young team this year and I thought both teams played exceptionally well.
“We played in the same conditions and to play to a tie after (100) minutes of soccer is not something we wanted, but deserving of both of these teams.”
Brian Bartholomew, Pieczynski and Jahns each converted their PKs in the shootout before McCaffrey.
“Sometimes you feel you’re too old to go through these PKs,” Kaneland coach Scott Parillo said. “I can’t tell you how many PKs I’ve gone through. It doesn’t get any easier.
“It’s a lousy way to win and even a more lousy way to lose and I’ve done both.”
C.R. Walker is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
