Freshman Quinn Fahey steps up to playoff challenge, scores both goals for Sandburg. ‘Came in really nervous.’

Freshman midfielder Quinn Fahey has been ready for every challenge during her first season at Sandburg.

She knew she was in for another big test Wednesday night as she prepared for her first taste of postseason high school soccer.

“I came in really nervous because obviously it was my first playoff game for high school, but I think I responded well and the whole team did,” Fahey said. “In the beginning, I made a couple mistakes here and there.

“But I just shake off every single little mistake and tell myself, ‘Just do one thing better, one step at a time.’”

Fahey turned those small steps into big-time production. She scored both goals as the Eagles held on for a 2-1 win over district rival Stagg in a Class 3A Marist Regional semifinal in Chicago.

Jessica Chmielewski, Colleen Gartlan, Ella Riordan and Ellie Driscoll led a strong defensive effort for Sandburg (8-7-3), which held Stagg to one shot on goal.

The sixth-seeded Eagles will take on second-seeded Marist (15-4-2) — which had a bye — at 4 p.m. Friday in the regional final. The teams played to a scoreless tie during the regular season.

“This is my last thing for Sandburg and I’m hoping to keep going as long as possible,” Driscoll said. “Even though I graduated (Tuesday night), I’m still coming back to the field every day.

“Anything to keep this going.”

Raine Rispin headed home a corner kick from Roosevelt recruit Pilar Pescetto for 10th-seeded Stagg (6-12), which put up a strong fight after losing 7-0 to the Eagles just 15 days earlier. Lina Miteva made eight saves.

Rispin’s goal tied the game 1-1 with 38:42 to go but Fahey — who also scored on a free kick in the first half — quickly put the Eagles back on top.

After a Sandburg corner kick was deflected and took a few bounces in the box, Fahey got her foot on the ball in traffic and directed it into the net with 33:48 left.

“It was a little bit of a scramble and the ball got knocked out and I was just able to send it back in,” Fahey said. “I just tried to kick it as hard as I could.

“It was big to get that momentum back and then we just kept pushing harder.”

It was the sixth goal of the season for Fahey, who has impressed senior teammates like Driscoll from day one.

“She just plays with such poise, she’s so good at what she does and she has such confidence,” Driscoll said. “She’s coming in and playing varsity soccer as a freshman against D-I commits and girls who are 18 years old and she plays right alongside with them.

“Her standards are so high and she holds herself to them every single day.”

And Fahey has done it while making a position change from defender to attacking midfielder.

“It definitely took some time to adjust because I play outside defender for my club team,” Fahey said. “But I really like it and it’s helping me grow as a player, learning new positions.

“It’s a lot of fun because I definitely don’t score as much in club. It’s just a good feeling scoring goals.”

Sandburg coach Tom Kubowicz knew Fahey would be ready to make a quick impact, but she has exceeded expectations by making the transition to varsity soccer so seamlessly.

“She can take over a game and take control and command it,” Kubowicz said. “Having someone like that in the middle of the field makes such a huge difference.

“Quinn is never intimidated playing against older girls. She knows she can hold her own against anyone. She’s always ready to give us a lift.”