Class 2A finals preview
St. Joseph, Saint Viator, Springfield
and Wheaton Academy to decide 2014 champion
By Dave Owen
Saint Viator has defied its sectional seeding throughout the postseason.
Facing undefeated St. Joseph in the Class 2A semifinals (3 p.m. Friday at Hoffman Estates) will require more of the same.
"St. Joe's is undefeated and the No. 1 seed from their sectional, and we are just a No. 5 seed making the most of our time," Lions coach Mike Taylor said. "I guess as it's been the whole postseason, we will have our work cut out for us."
The Lions (21-5-1) have cut down 10 opponents in a row, including sectional wins over No. 4, No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in succession. A 5-2 supersectional win over upstart No. 10 seed Foreman on Tuesday clinched the spot at state.
Before its postseason surge, Saint Viator's tough schedule produced regular season wins over Class 3A regional champions Leyden, Benet Academy and Oak Park and River Forest.
The Lions had one matchup against this season's Class 2A Final Four teams, falling 2-0 to Wheaton Academy in early September in the Pepsi Showdown.
St. Joseph is 22-0-1 and has allowed just 10 goals all season, and that's just half the story.
Eduardo Gutierrez (20 goals, 11 assists) and Jovanny Aceves (13 goals, 6 assists) lead four Chargers with double-figure goal totals this fall. That along with its defensive stinginess gives St. Joseph what's proven to be a lethal combination for its foes ... so far.
"I think Saint Viator is going to be a very tough opponent," St. Joseph coach Stan Niemiec said. "Mike Taylor always prepares his team quite well, and I know we are going to need to have patience to crack through a strong defensive line and goalkeeper.
"Eliminating mistakes in our defensive third is going to be another key to keeping the pressure on them."
The Chargers and Lions have a long history, both as former East Suburban Catholic Conference rivals and in downstate matchups. Saint Viator edged St. Joseph 2-1 in overtime in the 2004 third place match, the most recent high stakes showdown among the two elite programs.
"It's been a long time since we have matched up against the old ESCC opponents," Niemiec said, "so we're looking forward to the continued challenge – having played two ESCC teams (Nazareth and Marian Catholic) already to get to the state semifinal."
As recent weeks have shown, Saint Viator loves a challenge. Aidan Williams (19 goals, 11 assists) and Zach Gyuricza (17 goals, 14 assists) are a potent one-two offensive combination, and Chris Beiersdorf (10 assists) is a strong defender and a major threat on restarts.
Overall strength of schedule strongly favors the Lions, although St. Joseph's unbeaten record includes an impressive 6-1 win over Class 1A runner-up Timothy Christian.
The Lions are at state for the ninth time, including 2003 and 2009 titles under Taylor. The Chargers make their 10th trip to state, the most recent producing a third-place finish in 2008.
"They have a history of going downstate, so we will see what happens," Taylor said. "I think the key for us is to play our game and make the most of the opportunities when we get them. Nothing will be easy."
Wheaton Academy vs. Springfield
In the first Class 2A semifinal at 1 p.m. Friday at Hoffman Estates, either changing or reliving history will be the goal when high-scoring teams Wheaton Academy (23-1-1) and Springfield (25-3) face off.
The Warriors beat downstate power Notre Dame (Peoria) 3-2 in overtime Tuesday, and now hope to erase the recent memories of semifinal losses at state the past two seasons.
Ty Seager (36 goals, 13 assists) leads the offense along with Reid Culberson (10 goals) and Jacob Kapitaniuk (7 goals, 14 assists). Offense has been the postseason story, with a 24-5 scoring advantage over opponents in the last five games.
Wheaton Academy's lone loss was a 2-0 setback to Morton, the state's No. 1 ranked team until its sectional final loss to Hinsdale Central.
The Warriors also played a schedule that would rival any elite Class 3A school: wins have come over West Chicago, Wheaton North, Libertyville, St. Charles East and Glenbard West, all high seeds or sectional qualifiers in 3A. Wheaton Academy tied 3A sectional finalist Batavia 1-1, and also beat Class 1A runner-up Timothy Christian 6-0 as well as its win over Saint Viator.
"Wheaton Academy is an excellent team with outstanding athletes," Springfield coach Pat Phillips said. "Making three-straight trips to the final four is a statement. We know that they have a strong and powerful striker (Seager) and a very quick, skilled player (Culberson) to go along with him."
Springfield has enjoyed its own run of postseason success with six-straight regional crowns, but hasn't been this deep into the tournament since winning the Class A championship in 1997.
Logan Willard's 37 goals lead Springfield, which has a 20-3 postseason scoring edge on opponents. Kelby Phillips (12 goals, 41 assists) is a dangerous creator.
"We need to play quick and simple on offense," Phillips said, "and stay organized and keep the play in front of us on defense. We need to work and match the physical play of other teams."
Springfield's quality wins this fall include a 3-2 victory over Class 3A Hersey.
Friday winners meet at 1 p.m. Saturday in Hoffman Estates for the 2A championship. The third-place match is set for 11 a.m. Saturday.
St. Joseph, Saint Viator, Springfield
and Wheaton Academy to decide 2014 champion
By Dave Owen
Saint Viator has defied its sectional seeding throughout the postseason.
Facing undefeated St. Joseph in the Class 2A semifinals (3 p.m. Friday at Hoffman Estates) will require more of the same.
"St. Joe's is undefeated and the No. 1 seed from their sectional, and we are just a No. 5 seed making the most of our time," Lions coach Mike Taylor said. "I guess as it's been the whole postseason, we will have our work cut out for us."
The Lions (21-5-1) have cut down 10 opponents in a row, including sectional wins over No. 4, No. 1 and No. 2 seeds in succession. A 5-2 supersectional win over upstart No. 10 seed Foreman on Tuesday clinched the spot at state.
Before its postseason surge, Saint Viator's tough schedule produced regular season wins over Class 3A regional champions Leyden, Benet Academy and Oak Park and River Forest.
The Lions had one matchup against this season's Class 2A Final Four teams, falling 2-0 to Wheaton Academy in early September in the Pepsi Showdown.
St. Joseph is 22-0-1 and has allowed just 10 goals all season, and that's just half the story.
Eduardo Gutierrez (20 goals, 11 assists) and Jovanny Aceves (13 goals, 6 assists) lead four Chargers with double-figure goal totals this fall. That along with its defensive stinginess gives St. Joseph what's proven to be a lethal combination for its foes ... so far.
"I think Saint Viator is going to be a very tough opponent," St. Joseph coach Stan Niemiec said. "Mike Taylor always prepares his team quite well, and I know we are going to need to have patience to crack through a strong defensive line and goalkeeper.
"Eliminating mistakes in our defensive third is going to be another key to keeping the pressure on them."
The Chargers and Lions have a long history, both as former East Suburban Catholic Conference rivals and in downstate matchups. Saint Viator edged St. Joseph 2-1 in overtime in the 2004 third place match, the most recent high stakes showdown among the two elite programs.
"It's been a long time since we have matched up against the old ESCC opponents," Niemiec said, "so we're looking forward to the continued challenge – having played two ESCC teams (Nazareth and Marian Catholic) already to get to the state semifinal."
As recent weeks have shown, Saint Viator loves a challenge. Aidan Williams (19 goals, 11 assists) and Zach Gyuricza (17 goals, 14 assists) are a potent one-two offensive combination, and Chris Beiersdorf (10 assists) is a strong defender and a major threat on restarts.
Overall strength of schedule strongly favors the Lions, although St. Joseph's unbeaten record includes an impressive 6-1 win over Class 1A runner-up Timothy Christian.
The Lions are at state for the ninth time, including 2003 and 2009 titles under Taylor. The Chargers make their 10th trip to state, the most recent producing a third-place finish in 2008.
"They have a history of going downstate, so we will see what happens," Taylor said. "I think the key for us is to play our game and make the most of the opportunities when we get them. Nothing will be easy."
Wheaton Academy vs. Springfield
In the first Class 2A semifinal at 1 p.m. Friday at Hoffman Estates, either changing or reliving history will be the goal when high-scoring teams Wheaton Academy (23-1-1) and Springfield (25-3) face off.
The Warriors beat downstate power Notre Dame (Peoria) 3-2 in overtime Tuesday, and now hope to erase the recent memories of semifinal losses at state the past two seasons.
Ty Seager (36 goals, 13 assists) leads the offense along with Reid Culberson (10 goals) and Jacob Kapitaniuk (7 goals, 14 assists). Offense has been the postseason story, with a 24-5 scoring advantage over opponents in the last five games.
Wheaton Academy's lone loss was a 2-0 setback to Morton, the state's No. 1 ranked team until its sectional final loss to Hinsdale Central.
The Warriors also played a schedule that would rival any elite Class 3A school: wins have come over West Chicago, Wheaton North, Libertyville, St. Charles East and Glenbard West, all high seeds or sectional qualifiers in 3A. Wheaton Academy tied 3A sectional finalist Batavia 1-1, and also beat Class 1A runner-up Timothy Christian 6-0 as well as its win over Saint Viator.
"Wheaton Academy is an excellent team with outstanding athletes," Springfield coach Pat Phillips said. "Making three-straight trips to the final four is a statement. We know that they have a strong and powerful striker (Seager) and a very quick, skilled player (Culberson) to go along with him."
Springfield has enjoyed its own run of postseason success with six-straight regional crowns, but hasn't been this deep into the tournament since winning the Class A championship in 1997.
Logan Willard's 37 goals lead Springfield, which has a 20-3 postseason scoring edge on opponents. Kelby Phillips (12 goals, 41 assists) is a dangerous creator.
"We need to play quick and simple on offense," Phillips said, "and stay organized and keep the play in front of us on defense. We need to work and match the physical play of other teams."
Springfield's quality wins this fall include a 3-2 victory over Class 3A Hersey.
Friday winners meet at 1 p.m. Saturday in Hoffman Estates for the 2A championship. The third-place match is set for 11 a.m. Saturday.