Garnica's Penalty Kick Sends Glenbard West Past Conant, 2-1

Angel Garnica converted the decisive fifth penalty kick to lift Glenbard West past Conant 2-1 in a Class 3A West Chicago Sectional semifinal on Tuesday night.

Garnica, a senior midfielder, scored in the 12th minute to put the Hilltoppers ahead 1-0. Conant's Pavel Ivanovski answered a little over three minutes later to tie it. Neither team scored again through regulation and two overtimes, and the match was decided on penalties, 4-3.

Keatan Anders, Glenbard West's junior goalkeeper, stopped Conant's second shooter in the penalty round after turning away a free kick from 30 yards late in the second overtime. During regulation, a Hilltoppers defender cleared a Conant attempt after Anders came off his line, with Conant putting three shots on goal in the final 10 seconds. "In that moment, yeah, I was terrified," Anders said. "I just knew that I had to do the same thing I do every time. Put the ball in the back of the net." Garnica, who also converted his attempt, described the composure required: "I don't even know, I gave that goal to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. He gave me the strength to be composed and take that penalty how we practice."

Axel Brunback and Peter Alexopoulos also converted penalties for Glenbard West, which improved to 19-6. Conant finished the season at 15-5-3.

Second-seeded Glenbard West will meet fourth-seeded Addison Trail on Friday for the sectional title. The Hilltoppers have not won a sectional championship since 1991.

Hilltoppers coach Phil Wicyk pointed to past exits from this round. "Three years ago we were up 2-0 and we lost in double overtime. I think the year before that .. I don't know man, I'm speechless," he said. "That was just a battle between two teams.. I don't know if my heart can do this." Garnica, after the final whistle, said: "That was a lot of pressure."

Anders, who made a diving stop on Conant's second penalty shooter, said the win kept the season going. "This is fun, just the best feeling in the world, I got the save to keep the season going, in a sectional final, first time since like the '90s," Anders said.