LODI — There was a time not that long ago when Grace Kessler wouldn't dive.

That's hard to believe now.

Hard to believe after the Field senior keeper came up with a remarkable diving challenge with Cloverleaf star Riley Evans bearing down on her in the first half of Thursday's Metro Athletic Conference Tournament title game.

But it's the truth, according to Falcons coach Jason Schindler. 

"Eighteen months ago, Grace didn't want to dive," Schindler said. "She worked extremely hard the last 18 months."

While her willingness to dive was one key growth in her game, that actually wasn't what earned Kessler the start Thursday. (The Falcons have alternated between sophomore Carlee Fafrak and Kessler all season.) Nope, Kessler got the start due to her reputation as a facilitator. (Whereas Fafrak is Field's pure shot-stopper.)

"It all depends on matchups," Schindler said. "[Assistant coach] Nick [Miletti] and I have collaborated every game and said, 'All right, what do we need? Do we need a facilitator or are the talents of this person going to help us here?' And that's how we went."

Much like her willingness to dive, Kessler's ability to pass out of the box took time. Eighteen months ago, that was hardly a strength of hers, but she put in a lot of work.

"She didn't want to pass the ball with her feet and didn't want to do anything and I mean now she loves it and she's earned it," Schindler said. "The turnaround that she's done in the last 18 months is just unbelievable. I mean it's just unbelievable."

Both Kessler and Schindler credited futsal, a version of soccer played on a much smaller field with fewer players that truly emphasizes footwork and crisp touches. With five to a side, futsal keepers have to get more involved in moving the ball.

"I think futsal was helpful as much as I was against it," Kessler said. "The first game [this year], somebody dropped the ball to me in the air, and I know last year, I would have been panicking completely, but this year, I was able to settle and play it out. Even tonight, there was one that was dropped back and I think working with my feet has been a really big helper in the off-season."

Kessler also cited years of coaching for her growth.

"It's weird, my thought process has changed," Kessler said. "I noticed a couple games ago, something a coach will say will be like, 'Oh my gosh, I have a great idea,' because something that coach has said will just start going through my head."

A year ago, it was Fafrak, as a freshman, making a massive penalty-kick save in Field's MAC Tournament championship game victory over Streetsboro after starting keeper Hannah Siudak was forced to the bench due to a yellow card. On Thursday, Kessler got her chance, in part due to the way she played five days prior against Highland.

"She played phenomenally there," Schindler said. "She made some unbelievable saves and that was really what got her into this game here."

Given the chance at Gene Clark Stadium, Kessler delivered with nine saves.

It wasn't just the sliding challenge on Evans. It was also a save she made earlier in the game when Evans stormed her way. On that earlier chance, Evans fired from the middle of the box, and Kessler lunged to her left to punch the ball away.

Kessler also worked seamlessly with her defense Thursday, which made sense given that defense includes her younger sister, Olivia.

"Playing with my sister takes me back to like I didn't play soccer until middle school, but she was on my very first team," Kessler said. "So I think the trust there and knowing how Savannah [Rahe] is there also, they're huge assets to the team. They're really important. They work so well together."

Kessler relished all of that Thursday.

Having her younger sister defending in front of her.

Watching her Falcons scrap and claw against the favored Colts.

And she made the most of her opportunity.

"It meant a lot to start," Kessler said. "Especially in a game as big as this. We were in the game the whole time. I can't be more proud. I wouldn't have come here with any other players."