Beecher Knocked Out by McNamara but Still Had Great Season

By Dennis Bowling

Beecher freshman Grace Durante, an outstanding forward, will have a very exciting career with the Bobcats. She plays the game at a very high level. That was true on May 10.

Durante, who was fouled in the box, was able to convert the penalty kick into a goal which tied the score at 1-all, with 35 minutes left in the game.

The Coalers wound up eliminating Beecher 2-1 in the second semifinal contest of the Class 1A Manteno Regional.

The Coalers play McNamara in the title game of the Class 1A Manteno Regional final.

With 19 minutes to go in the first half, Durante’s corner kick whistled past the Coaler keeper. With 16 minutes to go in the first half, Durante’s hard shot from the outside caromed off the cross bar.

With 20 seconds to go in the game, Durante was on a run, dribbling the ball toward the goal. She was whistled off-side.

“I just knew that I could score on the penalty kick,” she said. “We always practice penalty kicks. I knew what I was doing. I had a great game.”

“Taylor (Killis) had a great game in goal,” she said. “It will be nice to have her back next season. She has improved so much.”

The Bobcats junior Taylor Killis, a keeper, had an outstanding game against the Coalers.

“We went out and played our hardest,” she said. “We all work together. We became a great team.”

“Grace is just a phenomenal player,” she said. “I am just glad that she is on my team. She is one of the best players in this area.”

The Beecher junior Zamara Killis, who is Taylor’s sister, is an outstanding midfielder and defender. In the second half of the game, Zamara Killis did had back-to-back hard shots that just missed the Coaler goal.

“We did have a very good game,” said Zamara Killis. “We should have beat them. We left it all on the field. Taylor played an outstanding game. I’m happy to play with her; playing together is fun. It’s the best thing. Grace can dribble the ball through anyone.”

Beecher finished with a 14-8-4 overall mark. They finished with a respectable third place in the SICA Conference.

Next season, the Bobcat coach Jonathan Kypuros should be able to win a regional semifinal contest. He has the following returning talented players: Alyssa Dillinger, Durante, Ava Gaidar, Kaitlyn Johnston, Teagan Claus, Brooke Jerkatis, Fabiola Barraza, Taylor and Zamara Killis.