Tinley Park Midfielder: Winning Goal in PepsiCo Soccer Showdown Was 'Just Like Practice'

To Tinley Park High School soccer midfielder Emma Alderman, being the ninth-seed underdog at the start of a recent tournament did nothing more than present the opportunity for she and her teammates to prove people wrong. And that they did.

Alderman's winning penalty kick in last week's PepsiCo Showdown led the Tinley Park High School girls soccer team to a 2-1 victory over Trinity. The senior student talked strategy, mindset and pressure this past week with a reporter from The Chicago Tribune.

"I was just trying to make sure it was just like practice," Alderman said, according to the story. "I tried not to put too much pressure on myself."

The PepsiCo Showdown has joined different high schools, players and coaches together since 2003. Coordinators say the goal is to facilitate collaboration and encourage players to, "shine on and off the soccer field." The event also acts as a resource for charities and fundraisers.

Tinley Park High School girls' soccer coach Michelle Youngberg said her team was certainly not considered a threat going into the tournament. It was also their first year participating.

"It felt good to come out here and show people what Tinley Park High School is all about," she said, according to the report. "It's a great feeling knowing we have a lot of seniors this year and they can go out with a big championship win."

To read more about the teammates' take, as well as get a rundown of the game, check out the full Chicago Tribune article.