Fenwick’s Liam Kelleher scores goal to quiet Downers North comeback attempt

BERWYN — Liam Kelleher made sure Downers Grove North didn’t have long to celebrate its tying goal in the Class 3A regional opener.

The Fenwick senior forward scored the go-ahead goal two minutes later as the 10th-seeded Friars won 3-2 Tuesday night in the Morton Regional semifinal. Kelleher stole the ball from defender Jake Stevenson and burst up the field to beat goalkeeper Alex Wall with a sharp liner over his head for his fifth goal of the season.

The Friars (10-9) will play top-seeded and No. 1-ranked Morton in the regional final at 5 p.m. Friday at Morton West.

“[After they tied the game], you have to have confidence,” Kelleher said. “We kept pushing there. We stayed strong and kept our game. We took the chances we could get.”

Eighth-seeded Downers North (8-11-1) tied the game with 21:45 remaining on Michael Molloy’s goal. Carter Tome pulled the Trojans to within one when he scored six minutes before halftime.

Fenwick’s Joe Scanlon and Matt Benko scored one minute apart midway through the first half to open a 2-0 lead.

Morton 7, Hinsdale South 0: Rafael Herrera scored three goals to lead Morton (22-1-2) to its third victory this season over West Suburban Gold rival Hinsdale South (1-18-1). Hector Luna, Diego Lopez, Saul Valverde and Christian Tovar also scored for the Mustangs.