Nov. 2, 2004

[Box Score]

BRIGHTON, MI. - At Sloan Field on the campus of Brighton High School, the Madonna Crusaders and Cornerstone Golden Eagles went toe-to-toe for 110 minutes of classic soccer action with Cornerstone eventually earning a shoot-out victory and the 2004 WHAC Tournament Championship.

The Crusaders made an early statement in the first minute of play as Kelly Japowicz deposited her team leading 11^th goal into the net off a throw-in and assist by Lacey Catarino to stake MU to a 1-0 lead.

Madonna would control the pace for much of the first half,out shooting the Golden Ealges, 7-1, but were unable to capitalize again and took a 1-0 lead into the intermission.

In the second half, it was Cornerstone that came out on the offensive, tying the game on the 24^th goal of the season by WHAC co-player of the year Melissa Strohmaier with 39 minutes remaining.

Cornerstone knocked on the door again when Strohmaier grabbed a bouncing ball that trickled behind Madonna goal keeper Diana Kaip, who somehow reached back for a one-handed swat-save, pinning the ball against the post, keeping the game knotted 1-1 with 23 minutes to play.

Madonna had a great scoring opportunity with 14:30 remaining when Liz Slebodnik had her shot knocked away by Cornerstone goal keeper Mindy Erny.

Both teams traded chances for the final 14 minutes sending the game to the first “Golden Goal” overtime period.

Through the first extra frame both teams seemingly were running on fumes and ended the period with the game still tied, 1-1.

In the second overtime period Madonna had a golden opportunity when Kara Wisniewski sent a header toward the Cornerstone goal, but Mindy Erny came up big, making the save and then another on the ricochet shot by Lacey Catarino to preserve the tie.

With 1:25 to play in the second overtime, Kelly Japowicz found herself in a one-on-one situation with a chance to win the game, but her shot, which beat Erny to the right-side, hit the post and bounded away, sending the game to a shoot-out.

Madonna was first to attempt a penalty kick in the shoot-out as Diane Foley stepped up and sent her shot high of the net.

Cornerstone then sent Strohmaier, the WHAC's leading scorer, to shoot but saw her chance saved by Kaip.

The next two shooters for Madonna, Loren Tacconelli and Rachaelle Mirto capitalized on their chances while Cornerstone got a goal from Sarah Owens and watched Leah Slutter hit the post.

Teresa Henderson, Madonna's last shooter, after a Wisniewski miss, beat Erny high, giving MU a 3-2 lead in PK's.  Cornerstone's Kathy Betts then sent the shoot-out to sudden death with a goal that tied things at three.

Madonna then sent junior captain Lacey Catarino up who missed her shot high and then watched as Cornerstone's Anna Meyer connected to the left-side giving Cornerstone a 4-3 PK win and the WHAC Tournament title.

With the victory, Cornerstone earns the WHAC #1 seed in the upcoming NAIA Region VIII tournament.  Madonna will participate as the WHAC #2 seed, hosted by Cornerstone. 

The night was not a total loss for the Crusaders who did see numerous players named to the WHAC All-Conference squads that were announced following the game.

Lacey Catarino, Kelly Japowicz and Loren Tacconelli were named to the WHAC first-team, while Rachaelle Mirto, Julie Turner and Danielle Strickland earned second-team honors.

Head Coach Mark Zathey was named the conference coach-of-the-year after leading his squad to the regular season championship and a 8-0-2 WHAC mark.

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