RIVER FOREST— Had Friday’s Class 3A regional final between Fenwick and Downers Grove North only consisted of its two overtime periods and 12 shootout penalty kicks, fans would still have gotten their money’s worth.

After a scoreless 80 minutes of soccer between Hinsdale Central Sectional fourth-seed Fenwick (12-7-2) and fifth-seeded Downers Grove North (10-11-2), everyone was treated to bonus time and beyond.

The script saw Fenwick take a 1-0 lead on a Grace Kapsch goal, off a feed from Caroline Henige, with 49 seconds remaining in the first 10-minute overtime.

The plot thickened when Downers Grove North answered with an Emilia Wilhelm goal scored midway through the second overtime that forced a shootout.

Each team converted three of five penalty kicks before Trojans keeper Gianna Hunsche saved Fenwick’s sudden-victory kick attempt. That set the stage for Elle Edwards.

Edwards converted her kick, and was naturally mobbed by deliriously happy teammates.

Hunsche saved three of six penalty kicks in the shootout to earn Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match honors. The moment Edwards’ conversion gave Downers Grove North its fifth regional title in program history and second in the past three seasons is best left to Hunsche’s description: “It was an adrenaline rush and a sprint to (Edwards),” she said. “It’s so exciting. There’s no feeling like it.”

With a 1-0 lead after Friday’s first overtime, Fenwick could practically taste what would have been its second Class 3A regional title (2016) after moving back up to the big-school class this season.

The stinging tears of defeat were naturally prominent among the Friars after the season-ending loss. But senior Caroline Henige was able to put the game and the season in perspective.

“We had a lot of fight and determination to win this game,” Henige. “I knew we had this in us, and it was nice to watch us progress throughout the season. We definitely came a long way.

“I’m definitely going to miss this team. I’m not playing next year in college so this meant a lot to me. This group of girls is special, and I’m sure they’ll do good things next year, too.”

Heroics from Hunsche and Wilhelm delivered the title to the visitors.

“A lot of the upperclassmen had to step up today,” Downers Grove North coach Marty Manzke said. “Last year against (Downers Grove) South in the regional final, we were up 2-0 with five minutes left, and we lost. We came into this game with a chip on shoulder, and we wanted to prove something.

“When that (Fenwick) goal went in, it was really nerve-racking but they knew how to face adversity and hard times.”

With her side chasing a one-goal deficit, Downers Grove North captain Lexi Keown knew what needed doing in the second overtime.

“We just had to come out super-strong and with a lot of intensity,” Keown said. “We had nothing to lose at that point, so we just wanted to work hard, work harder than them, and that’s what got us the win. I’m so proud of our team.

“We knew we could come back at them, because this team doesn’t ever give up. I feel like every single person added something to the game today, even the players on the bench, cheering us on the whole time. Everyone worked so hard.”

Fenwick has won 11 regionals between four classes (two-class A, A, AA, 3A). The Friars also finished fourth at the Class AA state finals in 2022. They played a formidable nonconference schedule against 3A competition this year, and coach Craig Blazer’s girls responded.

“It felt like we were the underdog in every single game,” senior co-captain Kapsch said. “I don't think anyone expected us as a small private school to be able to compete against these big schools. But we took (Lyons) to PKs and took this team to PKs — we kept it competitive with all of these teams.

“I’m so proud of this team, because no one thought we’d do anything, and we made it to a regional final. We were so close, and I know next year they’ll be just as good, even though they’re losing a lot of us. It (stinks) to go out this way, but I wouldn’t want to go out with anyone else.”

Chances came during regulation for both teams. An early cross from the right side from Fenwick’s Lola Martinez nearly saw teammate Kiera Mullarkey get a foot on it at the far post, but it flew just out of reach.

Fenwick keeper Mimi Carvalho left her line at 14 minutes to smother a Downers Grove North through-ball, and two minutes later she cut off a cross sent in from the right corner by Downers Grove North’s Audrey Anderson.

Kapsch served a ball from the right corner to the near post at 21 minutes that Mullarkey got to but sent past the post. Martinez tracked back hard on the right side to thwart a run by Downers Grove North’s Finley Werner, and Carvalho fielded a good rip on the hop from Downers Grove North’s Elle Larsen at 30 minutes.

Martinez was a defensive stalwart on the outside throughout.

The first 15 minutes of the second half belonged to Fenwick. The Friars’ steady pressure resulted in numerous free kicks, deep throw-ins, and corner kicks, but locating a truly dangerous shot proved elusive.

It was during Fenwick’s stretch of attacking pressure when Carvalho made a tremendous leaping save to keep the slate clean. Downers Grove North’s Larsen belted a free kick from 20 yards at 45 minutes that Carvalho tipped off the crossbar, and then saved the rebound shot attempt.

“In a way, she had her best game today,” Blazer said of Carvalho. “She made some unbelievable saves. And she has been phenomenal all year.”

Henige was a force at midfield throughout, winning balls, taking feeds and distributing ahead, often to Kapsch or a streaking Susie Shank.

Shank, Kapsch, Henige, Gabi Kapusta, Lizzie Brunick, and co-captain Fiona Roche were the team’s Class of 2024 representatives.

“Our seniors really brought it and played well,” Blazer said. “The goal we scored was outstanding. We won our first two games on penalties against South Elgin and Lyons, and today it just didn't go our way.

“The girls have been awesome all year. Our six seniors have been great leaders and ambassadors. I really feel like we elevated the status of our program this year. I'm very happy with the way it went. All year we played the way we trained, and it's a tribute to the girls that they did that.”

Downers Grove North found its front foot near the 60-minute mark, and began testing Fenwick’s defense. The speed of Downers Grove North’s Karly Harkness stood out in the attack, but Carvalho and her backline of Kapusta, Roche, Martinez, and Kiera Kapsch kept the Trojans out of net. Fenwick’s Bella Gray sent a good chance just high from 16 yards in the waning minutes of regulation.

The first overtime saw Grace Kapsch feed Henige for a shot from 18 yards that Hunsche saved in the 84th minute. Carvalho flew off her line to the 18 to smother a through-ball with Downers Grove North’s Audrey Anderson bearing down a minute later.

Fenwick broke the scoreless draw in the 90th minute, when Henige laid off a ball to the right side in the box and Grace Kapsch buried it.

If adversity not only builds but also reveals character, Downers Grove North showed it in a big way in the second overtime. Chasing a goal with their season on the line, the Trojans battled and found their way to a tying goal in the 96th minute.

Confusion in the Fenwick box provided the opportunity and Downers Grove North’s Wilhelm capitalized, effectively forcing the shootout.

Then Hunsche grabbed the spotlight before Edwards ended the game.

“Last year when we lost against (Downers Grove South in PKs in the regional final) we were in that situation. Coach Manzke has done a very good job of teaching PKs, and making sure I’m prepared to save them,” Hunsche said. “I’ve worked on PKs a lot since last year.

“I think I can tell when a player is trying to throw me off on where they’re looking. And when I can tell they’re trying to throw me off, I go the other way.”

Afterwards, Manzke applauded his stars.

“(Hunsche) may be little, but she’s fierce. She’s a baller. And kudos to (Wilhelm) and kudos to Elle Edwards. She came in confident, and she wanted that PK. And she did it for us.”

Starting lineups

Downers Grove North
GK: Gianna Hunsche
D: Addison Liszka
D: Audrey Carlstead
D: Olivia Watland
D: Gianna Goodwin
MF: Audrey Anderson
MF: Annika Isacson
MF: Elle Larsen
MF: Karly Harkness
MF: Lexi Keown
F: Kaitlyn Parker

Fenwick
GK: Mimi Carvalho
D: Gabi Kapusta
D: Fiona Roche
D: Lola Martinez
D: Kiera Kapsch
MF: Caroline Henige
MF: Susie Shank
MF: Lizzie Brunick
MF: Kiera Mullarkey
MF: Findlay Dondlinger
F: Grace Kapsch

Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Gianna Hunsche, sr. GK, Downers Grove North

Scoring summary

First half
No scoring

Second half
No scoring

First overtime
Fenwick: G. Kapsch (Henige), 90’

Second overtime
Downers Grove North: Wilhelm (unassisted), 94’

Shootout conversions (six rounds)
Fenwick: Shank, Mullarkey, G. Kapsch
Downers Grove North: Liszka, Larsen, Parker, Edwards