Peoria Notre Dame Girls Soccer Defeats Morton in Sectional Final to Advance to the IHSA Elite Eight in 2025 Tournament

The Peoria Notre Dame girls soccer team took another monumental step toward championship glory on Friday night, defeating a tough Morton squad 2-1 in the IHSA Class 2A sectional final to advance to the Elite Eight. The Irish, led by a blend of seasoned seniors and dynamic underclassmen, showed poise, tenacity, and tactical excellence under pressure as they continued their remarkable postseason run.

The match, played at the East Peoria Central Complex, featured two of central Illinois’ most consistent and competitive programs. Fans from both schools packed the stands, their chants and cheers echoing through the evening air as anticipation built throughout the tightly contested showdown. It was Peoria Notre Dame’s balanced attack and structured defensive setup, however, that ultimately proved the difference as the Irish punched their ticket to the state quarterfinals for the first time since 2019.

From the opening whistle, the match was a chess battle between two teams that knew each other well. Peoria Notre Dame came out on the front foot, applying early pressure and testing the Morton defense with overlapping runs and dangerous through balls. In the 13th minute, junior midfielder Claire Donnelly made the breakthrough. Gathering a pass near the top of the box, she turned on a defender and curled a low, left-footed shot past Morton’s keeper to give the Irish a 1-0 lead.

Donnelly’s goal marked her 18th of the season and set the tone for what would be a hard-fought affair. “We knew Morton would be physical and well-coached,” Donnelly said after the game. “Getting that early goal gave us confidence. It helped us settle into our rhythm and play our style.”

Morton, the Mid-Illini Conference champions, responded with intensity and purpose. Their equalizer came just before halftime in the 37th minute. After a sequence of possession in the final third, a cross from the right flank deflected off a defender and fell kindly to Morton’s senior forward Jenna Walsh, who calmly slotted home to tie the game 1-1. Walsh’s goal, her 22nd of the year, sent the match into halftime knotted up and left both sidelines re-evaluating their strategies.

“We went into the locker room knowing it was anyone’s game,” said Peoria Notre Dame head coach Mike Bare. “I told the girls to trust each other and stay focused on the fundamentals—first touch, spacing, and communication. We felt we had the edge if we kept our composure.”

The Irish did just that. The second half was an intense battle of midfield control, with Peoria Notre Dame gradually gaining the upper hand through superior passing sequences and pressing when out of possession. Senior captain and center back Maddie Clarke was instrumental in anchoring the defense, cutting out crosses and commanding the backline with confidence. Clarke, a four-year starter, has been the heart and soul of this team, and her leadership shined brightest in moments of adversity.

With time ticking away and the match still tied, Peoria Notre Dame began to push numbers forward in search of a winner. Their breakthrough came in the 68th minute, when sophomore winger Ava Santoni slipped behind the Morton defense and was brought down just outside the penalty area. From the ensuing free kick, senior midfielder Lauren Kirkpatrick delivered a perfect ball into the box, where junior striker Rachel O’Donnell rose above two defenders and nodded the ball into the back of the net.

Pandemonium ensued as O’Donnell sprinted toward the Irish bench in celebration. Her goal would stand as the match-winner, lifting Peoria Notre Dame to a 2-1 victory and a berth in the Elite Eight. “That was one of the best feelings of my life,” O’Donnell said. “We’ve worked so hard for this. Everyone on this team is family, and we’re playing for each other.”

The final 12 minutes were a test of grit and discipline. Morton, desperate to extend their season, pressed high and forced several late corners. But the Irish defense held firm, with goalkeeper Ellie McMahon making two critical saves in the closing moments to preserve the lead. McMahon, a sophomore, has grown in confidence throughout the postseason and showed maturity beyond her years with her shot-stopping and command in the air.

As the final whistle blew, Peoria Notre Dame players collapsed in joy and exhaustion. Bare embraced each of his starters as they came off the field, many of them in tears. “I’m just so proud of this group,” he said. “They’ve faced adversity, they’ve been tested, and they’ve risen every time. Making it to the Elite Eight is special, but we’re not done yet. We believe we can go further.”

The victory improved Peoria Notre Dame’s record to 19-3-1 on the season, and it solidified their place as one of the top teams in Class 2A. The program has a storied history, including a state title in 2012, but this current group is looking to write its own chapter. With a mix of veteran leadership and youthful energy, the Irish are peaking at the right time.

While offense may grab headlines, it’s the team’s defensive consistency that has been the foundation for their success. The Irish have allowed just five goals in their last nine matches and have relied on a cohesive unit that communicates well and recovers quickly in transition. The midfield trio of Kirkpatrick, Donnelly, and sophomore Brooke Simmons has also been key, providing balance between defense and attack while dictating tempo.

Next up for Peoria Notre Dame is a state quarterfinal matchup against Mahomet-Seymour, a powerhouse from the Champaign area with an equally strong tournament pedigree. The two teams have not met this season, but scouting reports indicate it will be another evenly matched affair. Mahomet-Seymour enters the Elite Eight with a record of 21-1-2 and boasts one of the top scoring duos in the state.

“We’ll need to be sharp and ready for everything they throw at us,” Bare said. “But I like our chances. These girls believe in each other, and they’re playing with heart and purpose. That’s a dangerous combination.”

Peoria Notre Dame will now turn its focus to preparation and recovery. With just a few days between matches, managing rest and mental focus will be crucial. Team captains like Clarke and Kirkpatrick will be instrumental in keeping the group locked in while continuing to foster the chemistry that has made this team special.

Community support has also played a major role in the Irish’s postseason journey. Parents, alumni, and students have shown up in large numbers to cheer the team on, and that support is expected to grow as the state tournament continues. “It means everything to have our fans behind us,” Donnelly said. “We hear them. We feel them. It gives us that extra push when we’re tired.”

As the Irish chase a return to the state semifinals for the first time in six years, they carry with them the hopes of a school and a community that takes pride in its soccer tradition. This run has already become a defining moment for the senior class, many of whom have been playing together since youth leagues. For players like Clarke, Kirkpatrick, and McMahon, it’s about leaving a legacy.

“I just want to make sure we leave everything on the field,” Clarke said. “This team is my family. We’ve worked too hard to stop now.”

In a postseason defined by resilience, skill, and belief, Peoria Notre Dame has proven they belong among the elite. And now, with just two wins separating them from the state title game, the dream is alive and well. The Irish are marching forward—one match, one moment, one heartbeat at a time.