SYCAMORE - Despite coming back from a two-goal deficit in the second half, the Sycamore girls soccer team dropped its second game of the season, 4-3, to Yorkville.
Sycamore (17-2, 5-2 Northern Illinois Big 12) was behind the eight ball early after Yorkville's Katie Straznickas ripped a 40 yard direct free kick off of the fingertips of Sycamore goalkeeper Lily Horne and into the back of the net about 10 minutes into the contest. After the first of Peyton Willie's three goals made it 2-0, Sycamore struck back less than 40-seconds later when Saydie Holland scored on an Abby Krull cross to cut the lead to one.
"We're never at a loss for being able to score goals," Sycamore coach Dave Lichamer said. "We're going to be able to put the ball in the net. We certainly generated some opportunities around the box. We put it to the keeper, but didn't quite put it on frame."
Willie added the second of her three goals late in the first half to make it a 3-1 lead. Sycamore came roaring back in the second. After Jaden Peck scored on a breakaway less than four minutes into the second half, Holland tied the game up with her second of the evening at the 27:23 mark.
"The two goal lead is the most dangerous lead to have in soccer," Yorkville coach Mike Wiest said. "As soon as they score, the advantage and the momentum shifts. I told them that they might get one on us, but don't freak out. If they get two, don't freak out. We've been through this before."
Yorkville (12-3-3, 2-1-3) did just that. With 12:09 left in the contest, Willie completed the hat-trick when she scored the eventual game winner on a header in the box from Ellie Maaske.
"Maaske was out wide," Willie said. "She took one touch and found me in. I got told by Wiest to get into the box, whether I know if I am going to get it or not...I didn't even know if it went in because at first, no one said anything."
Sycamore got a few more decent looks at tying the game up, but ultimately could not connect on offense. With its last regular season game Tuesday, Holland said that the Spartans need to have a short memory.
By the numbers: This was a physical contest. Each team had a player receive a yellow card.
Beyond the stats: Sycamore would have won the conference outright had the won this game. They will get another chance tomorrow evening, when they play Morris.
Up next: Yorkville will travel to play at DeKalb Tuesday at 4:30 p.m. Sycamore will finish up their regular season when travel to Morris Tuesday for a 4:30 p.m. start.