One Shot to State

With just 15 seconds left on the clock, the Timothy Christian girls’ soccer team looked destined for a penalty shootout in the Super-Sectional final. The sun was blazing, exhaustion hung heavy, and nerves were piquing. Suddenly, the whistle blew, a foul. The stadium fell silent as Senior Captain Sami Drye stepped up to the ball, just outside the box. One breath, one strike, one moment. And then the fans erupted. The ball soared into the back of the net, and in that instant, history was written. For the second time in school history, the Timothy Christian girls' soccer team made it to the IHSA Class 1A State tournament. 

Senior captain Amanda Schnurr shared her perspective on the field, “My body instantly was covered in chills when that goal went in. I could not believe that we were going to state." 

The girls not only made it to state, but also had a landmark season with a final record of 16-6-2 and a flawless 11-0 home streak. That shutout at home was anchored by defenders  Amanda Schnurr, Avery Croff, Kate Gagliano, and Brooklynn Bunn. Emily White was instrumental in goal, making key saves to help secure the shutout.

The Trojans' postseason run was marked by decisive victories: a 7-0 win over Westmont in the regional championship, a 9-0 triumph against Intrinsic, and a 3-0 shutout of Cristo Rey Jesuit in the sectional finals. Their resilience was tested in the Super-Sectional against Chicago U-High, a rematch of the previous year's defeat. 

As Captain Sami Drye reflects, “The ending of last season lit a fire under everyone. There was a huge need to come back and prove that we deserved to go to state. It led to this environment of ‘we can do this’.” 

 “I am extremely blessed to coach an awesome group of girls who play the game the right way, get along with each other, encourage each other, and have shown a tremendous ability to persevere in difficult situations,” explains Coach Drye. “The girls earned this trip to state by displaying tremendous teamwork and a commitment to play to the very end.”

The game was a testament to the girls' hard work as they ran for 110 minutes in the heat,  trying to put a number up on the scoreboard. In a tense, scoreless game heading into the final seconds of overtime, it looked like the team would be following in last year's footsteps, and heading to penalty kicks. However, the outcome proved to be different from the last. The 1-0 victory was a testament to their perseverance and belief.

Team chemistry played a pivotal role in their success. Amanda emphasized, "I truly believe that this team is so genuine… On the field, no matter what happens, each person stays encouraging, and we persevere as a whole team to get to the next point." After losing three key seniors last year, the Trojans still had a lineup of strong players that were ready to fill the gaps. Senior captains Sami Drye and Amanda Schnurr led from past examples of what true teamwork and sportsmanship look like. Sophomore co-captain Mia Schilf was able to step up and displayed outstanding leadership on and off the field along with fellow sophomores Kenzie Laslo and Ella Becvar. These girls were not the only underclassmen that brought power to the team. Freshman Brookylnn Bunn and Lucy Wilgenburg also aided in making the team imposing. 

The guidance of returning coach Nate Drye was also instrumental. His calm demeanor during critical moments instilled confidence in the team. As Amanda noted, "When it was 0-0 and we were going into the last part of overtime, he just reminded us that we were good and had to keep playing our game."

In the Final Four the Trojans had a tough 2-1 loss to Johnsburg, and on Friday, June 6th, they were defeated by powerhouse Williamsville 4-0. Still, the journey to State stood out as a remarkable achievement for the girls. "From the first practices, I never would’ve thought that we were going to state. As the season went on and we were able to play together and connect more, it made me excited to see what God had planned for us." This sentiment underscored the team's growth and faith throughout the season. 

Fellow captain Mia Schilf echoed this pride, stating, "Timothy soccer has been such a blessing in my life, and I couldn’t be prouder of the team! We have worked so hard all year and accomplished our goal of going to State.”

In the end, the 2025 Timothy Christian girls' soccer team did more than reach State: they inspired a community, rewrote expectations, and left a legacy that will echo through the program for years to come. Though the final outcome wasn't a championship, the Trojans walked off the field as champions in every way that mattered — united, proud, and forever part of something greater than themselves.