LOCKPORT – While warming up for a big regional soccer semifinal game against a crosstown rival, Gabby McPhee had a simple message for Jeonstate Oswego East teammate Anya Gulbrandsen.
“I told her if she heard me screaming, bring me the ball for a chance,” McPhee said.
In the 65th minute, that's exactly what happened. McPhee found himself open and Gulbrandsen supplied the perfect pass. The sophomore midfielder scored the insurance goal as the Wolves defeated Oswego 2-0 in the Lockport Class 3A semifinal game.
Oswego East (14-6-2) will play host Porters (23-0), the undefeated and ranked No. 1 in the state, for the regional championship on Friday at 5 p.m.
“We're confident,” McPhee said of the possibility of facing the Porters at home. “We just play our game.”
The Timberwolves played Oswego (11-9-5) to avenge their 2-0 home loss to the Panthers on April 23 in a Southwest Prairie Conference game.
“This is something we've been working on all year,” Gulbrandsen said of the play with her and McPhee. “I'm on the right side and it looks like an easy play, but it's not.”
The big key, of course, is that Gulbransen, the school's all-time leading scorer, will be a scoring threat. So she pulled Oswego freshman keeper Kayla Baier out of the net to try to block her shot. Instead, she gave McPhee a perfect pass.
“It was a great pass,” McPhee said. “We were able to achieve a really big goal.”
The play worked in perfect timing.
“I saw her screaming in the box,” Gulbransen said. “Gabby was really smart and knew what to do. There were similar plays, but this was the most decisive goal of the year.”
The assist was the ninth of the season for Gulbransen, a senior forward who has committed to continue playing at the University of Wisconsin. It was also her 35th career assist, setting a new school record for her.
“It feels good,” Gulbransen said of etching his name into the record books again.
Oswego East coach Juan Real knows Gulbransen is good, really good.
“She's having a great season,” said Leal, who is in his eighth season as the Timberwolves' head coach. “She's the best player I've ever met.”
This shows why Gulbransen took the penalty in the first half. With exactly 23:23 left in the first half, she sunk the shot into her top right corner. This gave her 27 goals in the season and 89 goals in her career.
The Panthers had numerous chances, including more chances than Oswego East in the second half. But I simply couldn't connect. Sophomore striker Jordyn Washington, who scored her 22nd goal of the season, had her attempt saved by junior keeper Maddie McGregor, or seniors Emma Klosterman, Morgan Dick, Alex Hoger and junior Jocelyn. -Changed by Cruz's Wolves defense.
“I was triple-teamed and they did a good job against me,” Washington said. “(Next season) I'll be able to stay calm and keep pushing.”
Senior midfielders Jillian Young and Natalie Brown and sophomore midfielder Peyton Johnson also had chances, including a shot saved by Brown 11 minutes, 11 seconds into the game. .
“We controlled the majority of the game,” Oswego coach Gaspar Arias said. “We had a lot of possession, but we couldn't capitalize on it. We made one stupid mistake (on the penalty), but that was the end of the game. But I think the way we played this season is now But I'm proud.”
Two years ago, the Wolves won the first regional title in school history. They know it will be a tough task to get one win on Friday, but they will be ready.
“Playing in Lockport is an opportunity and I hope I can take it,” Leal said. “We have to right our wrongs, but we are motivated to do it.”