ST CROIX TAKES NORTH LAKES CONFERENCE TITLE IN PENALTY KICKS

 

North Lakes Conference Final
FC Milwaukee Torrent (5) 2-2 (6) PK  St. Croix Legacy

 

Two lengthy weather delays caused havoc as St. Croix Legacy topped FC Milwaukee Torrent in the North Lakes Conference final in penalty kicks. 

 

Once things finally got under way at the Uihlein Soccer Park in Milwaukee, the Lake Michigan Division winners jumped to an early lead in the 21st minute when Layla Kelbel (Drake University 2022- ) was taken down inside the penalty area. 

 

Kelbel’s penalty kick was saved by St. Croix goalkeeper Hadley Johnson (Pamona Pitzer 2022- ), but the ball rebounded to the crashing Kelbel who calmly rolled the ball back over the goal line to put FC Milwaukee Torrent up 1-0. 

 

In the 25th minute Ashlyn Skinner-Barrett (University of Wisconsin Milwaukee 2022- ) got on the end of a cross from the left flank to make it 2-0. 

 

St. Croix pulled a goal back in the 32nd minute off a defensive error when a misplayed ball by a Torrent defender led to a shot on goal. Torrent goalkeeper Kate Hopma (Drake University 2024- ) could not hold onto the ball and Smith jumped on the rebound to make it 2-1. 

 

After a second weather delay, St. Croix drew things level in the 67th minute when Wren Van De Walker (St. Olaf College 2023- )dragged a cross across her body inside the penalty area and finished to the far post. 

 

Because of the two weather delays bumping into the facility curfew, it was decided between the two clubs to forego extra time and take the game straight to penalty kicks. After both teams converted its first five kick, Milwaukee’s Cate Downs (Marqette Univerity 2022- ) shot hit the post for the first miss of the night. Emily Hinze converted the next kick to give St. Croix Legacy the North Lakes Conference title. 

With the win, La Croix Legacy advances to the Central Region Playoffs in Oklahoma City July 12 and 13. 

 

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FC Milwaukee Torrent: Kate Hopma; Abigayle Hall, Anna Champine, Greta Hanson; Addison Stanciak, Ashlyn Skinner-Barrett, Lauren Hernandez, Lola Wojcik, Tatum Adamson; Layla Kelbel, Maya Wilson. 

Substitutes: Cate Downs, Haley Christianson, Josie Bieda, Kayden Scrima, Sarah Stadler, Sophia Balistreri, Sydney Bollis, Sydney Dulak.

 

St. Croix Legacy: Hadley Johnson; Amara Smith, Bella Meier, Briana Henaman, Catherine Fredkove, Emily Hinze, Mackenzie Jacobson, Marisa Bonilla, Savanna Stockness, Stella Nielsen, Wren Van De Walker.

Substitutes: Anabel Hillstrom, Cecilia Emery, Emma Johnson, Kallan Tuominen, Kate Praetz, Kylie Albert, Sophie Adler. 

 

Uihlein Soccer Park
Milwaukee, Wis.

 

1-0: Layla Kelbel
2-0: Ashlyn Skinner-Barrett
2-1: Amara Smith
2-2: Wren Van De Walker