SANDUSKY — Maeve Johnston played the game of her life.
Under siege from the opening minute, Bay’s senior goal keeper turned away shot after shot and the Rockets stunned Madison 1-0 in a Division II regional semifinal match at Strobel Field at Cedar Point Stadium on Tuesday.
Johnston, who was in goal when the Rams knocked the Rockets out of the tournament in the regional final last year, made 11 saves. Madison had a handful of opportunities in the first five minutes but Johnston made a pair of diving stops. She did it again in the closing minute, diving to her right as the Rams (16-2-3) desperately peppered the goal in search of the equalizer.
“I took her aside and gave her a little hug and said, ‘awesome job,’ ” Madison coach Zac Huff said. “That was some good stuff she threw at us.”
The Rockets (12-5-3) scored the game’s only goal in the 61st minute. Kealy Sullivan headed in a Haylee Duffy free kick after a Madison foul.
“That’s why you play the game the full 80 minutes. We let down and gave them a free kick one time and they capitalized on it,” Huff said. “Once you make it to the regional tournament that’s what it is, a 1-0 or a 2-1 game.
“When you have opportunities you have to put it in the back of the net.”
Madison outscored its previous four tournament opponents by a combined total of 31-3. Taylor Huff, Madison’s All-American, had seven goals in last week’s district tournament and a handful of opportunities Tuesday.
“It was chaotic. I was always on my toes,” Johnston said. “When it comes down to it, my team and my coaches prepare me for moments like that. The reason I’m able to make saves like that is because of my team.
“It might have been chaotic but I was calm. I had faith in my teammates.”
Unofficially, the Rams took 28 shots and had 12 on target. The Rockets managed only three shots on frame.
“Taylor took numerous shots that, nine out of 10 times, go in,” Zac Huff said. “That keeper, the goal looked like it was two-by-two. She shut it down.”
Madison, which advanced to the state semifinals last year, will lose only three seniors to graduation. Taylor Huff is the centerpiece of a talented sophomore class.
“We’ve had a heck of a season,” Zac Huff said. “There’s nothing to hang our heads about.”
Bay will play Wapakoneta for a regional championship and a berth in next week’s state semifinals Saturday at a site to be determined. Wapakoneta beat Millbury Lake 2-0 Tuesday at Findlay High School.
