MARCELLO MONDAY: WHO NEEDS LUCK WHEN YOU HAVE LAROCHE?

BOSTON, Mass. - The Emmanuel College women's soccer team began its playoff run this past weekend. The game was a nail biter, as both Albertus Magnus and Emmanuel struggled to put the ball in net. Regulation finished 0-0 and both over times ended the same way.

That meant...

...penalty kicks.

The Saints' starting goal keeper, Tori LaRoche was as ready as she could have been. She stared at the net, focused, ready to take on the task at hand. However, as a former goalie myself, I knew exactly what LaRoche was thinking. "What if I can't save this?" "What if they kick it over?" "Oh gosh, please let them kick the ball over!" Being calm right before PKs is all just an act for most goalies. Deep down you are questioning everything. But I had all faith in Tori, just as the entire team did. Her talent alone is enough to stop a PK, she doesn't need luck.

The 10 girls took the field, ready for what could be the final minutes of their season, possibly the last ever for the nine seniors on the team.  The Albertus Magnus goalie, Maria Case, was having a terrific game, and had kept her team in it up to this moment. ECWS knew that she wasn't going to let an easy shot by.

First came Ari Cardillo's shot, hard but wide of the net.

Then came Molly Carey's, also a miss.

Maggie Carey was next. She hit the ball off of the post as it then flew by the goalie, right into the net. Case didn't even make a diving attempt.

After three rounds, the score was tied 1-1. LaRoche had made a save and watched another shot sail wide. 

After an Albertus goal came Katelyn Fink, who nailed it right past the Case.

At this point, the PKs were tied 2-2. LaRoche made two saves out of the five shots from Albertus Magnus, which any goalie could tell you is outstanding.

The final kicker for Emmanuel was LaRoche herself. The team chose her to take the final kick because this was her game. She kept the score 0-0 throughout regulation, as well as both overtimes. She also knows exactly how a goalie thinks during a PK situation. She was the best woman for the job.

LaRoche hammered the ball right past the goal keeper; she had no chance! The team ran out together jumping and celebrating with LaRoche. "Tori! Tori! Tori!" everyone chanted. She won us that game, she was the hero. She has been our team's hero throughout the entire season. She deserved that win!

"A hero is an ordinary individual who finds the strength to persevere and endure in spite of overwhelming obstacles." -Christopher Reeve