Senior co-captain Sofia Sanchez and her Riverside Brookfield High School girls soccer teammates are becoming known for comebacks. That resolve nearly resulted in an Upstate Eight Conference East Division championship Saturday at West Chicago.
Sanchez converted a 23-yard free kick with 8:13 remaining to cut the deficit, but the Wildcats held on 3-1 to capture that program’s first-ever conference title.
“We didn’t really expect this season to go as well as it did. Just being here, getting this close to conference is really good for us,” Sanchez said. “This game was definitely one of our best this year. We worked for each other and it showed on the field. I think we’re going to continue that in regionals.”
The Bulldogs (8-7-1, 4-2 in UEC East) needed a regulation victory to achieve their conference title after finishing fifth in 2025 and winning six games total. Instead, they tied for second in conference with Glenbard South (9-6-2, 5-1) at 13 points. The UEC awards three points for regulation and overtime victories. If the game goes to penalty kicks, the winning team gets two points and the losing team one.
RBHS achieved outright title hopes by losing at Glenbard South, May 5. The Bulldogs gained a point losing 3-0 on penalty kicks by forcing a 2-2 tie after falling behind 2-0 with 34:07 remaining. Glenbard South also beat Glenbard East on penalty kicks.
“That was the message the entire week. We worked so hard to put ourselves in this position,” RBHS coach Ivek Halic said. “They’re showing their resiliency, their determination to work together so I couldn’t be more proud of them.”
Saturday’s game was scoreless at halftime thanks to RBHS senior goalie Maya Tennicott’s diving save to thwart a breakaway. The defense also remained solid with sophomore Megan Tumpach joining senior co-captain Abby Ford at center back. Starting senior co-captain Audrey Raymond attended her sister’s graduation.
The Wildcats went ahead 2-0 in the first eight minutes of the second half on a penalty kick and header off a corner kick. With the Bulldogs pressing late to tie, West Chicago scored on a breakaway counterattack with 1:57 to play.
Sanchez’s central-field direct kick around a three-player defensive wall was her third goal this season.
“I think free kicks are kind of my strong suit,” Sanchez said. “I like taking them and this year I really haven’t had a chance to take an on-shot. This was my first time.”
Against Glenbard South, the Bulldogs struck back quickly with 31:59 and 29:24 left on goals by Charlotte Pinnick and Mia Rodriguez, both assisted by Ruby Boyle.
“Putting ourselves in that position, working back, scraping back just to stay in that game. That’s something special about this group,” Halic said.
In Class 2A this year, the Bulldogs are the No. 5 seed in the St. Francis Sectional.
They open Wheaton Academy Regional play against No. 10 Hancock, May 18, with the winner most likely playing the host No. 3 Warriors (10-4-5), May 22. West Chicago beat Wheaton Academy 3-1, May 7.
LTHS girls soccer
Senior goalie Anna Bigenwald gladly lent a big hand to another big Lyons Township girls soccer victory. Bigenwald’s diving save to her right stopped a penalty kick with 16:57 remaining and preserved the Lions’ 1-0 win over rival Hinsdale Central in the showdown of West Suburban Conference Silver Division frontrunners, May 5, in La Grange.
“It was definitely a fun game. Pulling out the 1-0 win was huge,” said Bigenwald, a Loyola recruit. “I dove and got my fingertips on the ball. I was able to hit it just enough to hit the post and bounce out and Avery Lusk was able to clear it away.”
LTHS (12-2-3, 4-0 in Silver), ranked No. 7 most recently by ChicagolandSoccer.org, has won five straight and can win the Silver outright with victories over Oak Park and River Forest, Tuesday, and Glenbard West Thursday, May 14.
Carolina Capizzi scored in the first half with Zibby Michaelson assisting. DePaul recruit Capizzi (10 goals, 10 assists) and Mercer recruit Michaelson (12 goals, 3 assists) continue to be the Lions’ scoring leaders.
This was the first penalty kick Bigenwald faced this season. The Red Devils (12-6-2, 4-2) didn’t have another shot on goal after her memorable save.
“It was like, ‘Shoot. We’ve kept them scoreless this whole game and now they have arguably their best scoring chance.’ I took a couple of deep breaths and picked a side, and it happened to be the (correct) side,” Bigenwald said. “Penalty kicks are never fun for goalies because it’s a lot of pressure to try and save the ball, but when you do save them it’s one of the best feelings.”
The Lions are the No. 2 seed to Hinsdale Central in the 3A Downers Grove South Sectional. They open LT Regional play against No. 15 Kenwood, May 20, with the winner most likely playing No. 5 Downers Grove North, May 23.