Granite City can't slow star

New Trier standout scores three goals

BY JOE TROST

For the News-Democrat

NAPERVILLE - No one had to tell the Granite City High girls soccer team who it had to stop heading into its Class AA state quarterfinal showdown Friday with New Trier at North Central College.

That's because everyone in the stadium knew who the Warriors had to contain -- Duke-bound KayAnne Gummersall.

But just as she did a year ago during the Trevians' 5-1 quarterfinal win over Granite City, the forward once again single-handedly beat the Warriors 3-0 to advance to the semifinals at 9 a.m. today against Wheaton North.

In her fourth consecutive state-finals appearance, Gummersall (134 career goals) recorded all three goals to raise her season total to 45. She has now scored 10 goals in her four quarterfinal appearances, and has 13 goals in her 10 state finals games.

"We saw her last year, so we knew what to expect," said Granite City coach Gene Briggs, whose team allowed three goals and also was shut out for the first time this season. "We did everything we could to slow her and try to stop her. But she showed that she is deserving of every award she has received."

Despite controlling possession throughout the first half, Briggs' crew was unable to mount much of an offensive attack.

New Trier (26-2), which has outscored its postseason opponents 37-1, managed to take advantage of one of its few chances with 5:03 to play in the first half.

A quick combination between Alicia Johnson, Jenny Stone and Gummersall led to the latter beating Warriors goalie Tasha Dittamore to the left for a 1-0 lead.

"Our plan coming in was to front KayAnne and have someone in back of her, too," said Dittamore, who had allowed only seven goals entering the game. "That goal at the end of the first half really hurt. If we could have made it into the half scoreless, things may have been a little different in the second half."

Gummersall, who will play on the same State Cup team with Dittamore starting Sunday, was back at it again early in the second half. The 5-foot-9 senior outran two Granite City defenders and was able to slip a shot inside the left post for a 2-0 cushion with 27 minutes to play.

"We played against some very good offensive players all year, but she's one of the best we have seen," Granite City defender Kelsey Johnson said. "I thought we contained her at times, but she found a way to get open and create chances."

While the defense was trying to slow Gummersall in the second half, the Warriors' attack never seemed to get on track. Granite City (24-2-1) finished with just two shots on goal.

"We couldn't get anything going," said Granite City forward Alex Hartwick, who finished the season with 19 goals and 15 assists. "It seemed like every time we tried to play something long, their sweeper was right there to clear it out."

The loss marked the third consecutive state finals trips in which Granite City failed to get past the quarterfinals. New Trier is now guaranteed to bring home its sixth consecutive state trophy and will shoot to play in its fourth consecutive state title game.

"I felt like we were ready for this one," Briggs said. "It's a little disappointing that we didn't get on the scoreboard, because I would have liked to seen how that may have changed things. But we made it here, and it was a great season."