TROY — Reagan Jumper scored in the 58th minute, and Edwardsville held on over the final 22 minutes to defeat defending state champion O’Fallon 1-0 in an IHSA Class 3A Normal Community sectional semifinal Tuesday night, May 26, 2026, at Knights Field at Triad High School.
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The win sent Edwardsville into Friday’s sectional final at Normal Community, where the Tigers will face Peoria Notre Dame, which advanced Tuesday with a 5-0 win over East Moline United.
Edwardsville coach Justin Bernaix said his staff expected a tight match.
“It was a good goal,” Bernaix said. “We talked about before the game it was likely going to be a 1-0 game, a playoff-type margin. We didn’t want to go to penalties again, like we did against Belleville West, so we said we want to score in regulation, and we knew that if we got one goal, we’d likely have to grind it out, and defend it.
"It was a good goal, Astri (Selberg) got up the wing, a positive first touch, got in line, cut a really hard ball across the box, and Reagan, right place, right time, and actually, it was a pretty crazy angle, and she still made it. So, excellent finish, and after that, we were energized, and we knew we’d had to see out the game.”
The teams played an even first half and went to the break scoreless. Anna Maxim had a chance from distance late in the half, but her shot went just wide of the near post.
The breakthrough came in the 59th minute after Selberg carried the ball down the right wing and into the corner before sending a pass across the box to Jumper. Jumper turned and placed the ball past O’Fallon goalkeeper Brynn Ori and inside the far post for the game’s only goal.
Edwardsville then defended the lead, with goalkeeper Genny Burroughs making two key saves and also collecting the ball near the line late as O’Fallon pushed for an equalizer.
“We went to a back four,” Bernaix said, “but not only were the defenders fighting, winning headers, blocking shots, but our two holding midfielders, Ella Thompson in particular, blocked countless shots, Lyla Twenhafel (an O’Fallon striker) likes to drift in, and I think she blocked her two or three times, Grace Hughes was making some tackles, Anna (Maxim) was running all over the place. It took a full team effort to defend that, because once we got the goal, you knew they were going to be a little more direct, and take more risks. Both teams kind of played a little cagey, I would say, most of the game. But it opened up after that goal, and I’m glad we were up for the fight.”
Bernaix said the Tigers will keep their focus narrow as they prepare for the next round.
“One game at a time,” Bernaix said, now turning his attention to the sectional final. “This is the point where, I think coach (Justin) Judiscak told me before the game that."
