Jesuit junior Marian Dunne stood at the penalty kick line with 12 minutes left in Tuesday's game against West Linn.
On her shoulders: the weight of the 2024 season, a spot in the Class 6A girls soccer state championship game and nearly a full game's worth of pouring rain.
But Dunne stood confident, sending the ball to the low left corner of the net for the goal that ultimately gave the Crusaders a 1-0 win over West Linn in the state semifinals at Jesuit High School.
"As soon as I got to the line, I knew exactly where I was going. I knew exactly where I was going to pass the ball and I was really excited to see it go in because we've practiced so much for that moment."
For Dunne, Tuesday's penalty kick was also a bit of retribution as she didn't get to go during the Crusaders' penalty kick shootout loss to West Linn in the state quarterfinals last fall.
"I knew after that moment that I would never let that opportunity go again," she said.
With the made PK, the Crusaders have advanced to the Class 6A state championship game. And for many Jesuit players, it feels like it's been a long time coming.
"We definitely got a tough game ahead of us and I'm really, really excited," senior goalkeeper Zoe Anderson said, fighting back a few tears as the final buzzer sounded on Tuesday night.
Anderson has been a mainstay with Jesuit for three years. She was on the 2022 state championship squad and the 2023 team that was stunned by West Linn in the penalty kick shootout a year ago.
"This season has been all about hard work, making sure no one outworks us after what happened last year," she said. "We all just decided, let's give it everything we have and let's really do our best and our part and I'm so grateful for my team."
While the final score may not represent as such, Tuesday's game saw Jesuit pressuring the West Linn defense all evening.
Jesuit forwards Dunne and Natalie Webber were putting shots on goal in quick succession at times.
West Linn's defense bent but never broke on Tuesday, as the only goal that was allowed came on Dunne's penalty kick. A big part of that came from the play of West Linn keeper Nyamma Nelson, who was busy for most of Tuesday's game.
"Nyamma played amazing," Anderson said of her West Linn counterpart. The two cross paths both in high school and club ball frequently.
"I have a ton of respect for her. She's an amazing keeper. She works really hard. She can do some things that I have a really hard time doing. She's really excellent and she had a great game tonight."
With the shots just not connecting on Tuesday night, Dunne said the Crusaders keeping their composure for the whole 80 minutes was a testament to the work that her and Webber have put in this fall.
"This is our first full season playing together and I think we've grown a lot and I'm able to rely on her a lot," Dunne said. "When I miss a shot, she's always there to pick my head up and when she's there missing a shot, I'm right there to support her. I think the connection I've built with, with Natalie Webber has really grown and you can see it on the field. We always know where one another is at and next year we have another year together. And I think that connection's only going to grow and I'm super excited."
The Crusaders will play No. 2 seed Grant in Saturday's finals. And Jesuit has history with the Generals, as a 5-1 loss to Grant on Sept. 16 serves as the sole blemish on Jesuit's otherwise perfect record.
Anderson said the loss to Grant, the reigning Class 6A state champions, felt like a wake up call that the Crusaders needed early in the year.
"I think we came into it maybe a little bit cocky. And after that game, that's when we said, ok, let's settle down. Let's get to work," Anderson said. "After that game, there was almost a shift in how we felt about the season, about our team and every practice it was, how much more, 'Can I push myself today?' And so the energy since that game has just been climbing."
Dunne agreed with Anderson, calling the loss to the Generals the team's motivation in every practice they've had since.
She added it was also the first time in 2024 where Jesuit felt the void of Abby Cox's graduation. A midfielder now at TCU, Cox was Jesuit's leader the past couple of seasons and the Crusaders' offense often went through her.
"I think we've all stepped up in a role to fill her position and now we're better than ever," she said. "I think we've peaked at the right time in the season."
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