Class 3A finals preview
Fremd, Hinsdale Central, Normal
and Streamwood battle for the big prize
By Dave Owen
Illinois Class 3A high school soccer's big dance will kick off a 5 p.m. Friday opener between a Cinderella team and the last undefeated team in the division.
With just one regional title (2012) in its history before this season, Streamwood has blasted into the school record books with a great postseason run.
A 2-1 supersectional win Tuesday over 2013 fourth-place finisher Lake Park sent the Sabres (17-5-2) on to face Normal (22-0-2) in the first Class 3A semifinal in Hoffman Estates.
"The guys are really excited for the chance to play in the state semifinal against Normal,” Streamwood coach Matt Polovin said.
“At this point in the season any team we play will be good, but the confidence my team has right now is higher than any team I've had in 15 years. They truly feel they can beat any team they go up against, and they are definitely a fun team to watch.”
Normal has its own great story -- the Ironmen never advanced past sectionals either until last week.
While Normal's Eddie Plesha has huge offensive numbers (37 goals, 18 assists), the microscopic number of goals allowed (six in 24 games) by goalkeeper Josh Millmore and the Normal defense is equally or more impressive.
"The guys have really been willing to commit to the task at hand," Normal fourth-year coach Brian Pelton said of his unbeaten squad. "They've been willing to do anything I ask them, and they've really worked hard and battled hard for each other."
Beating Edwardsville 2-1 for the first sectional title in program history sent Normal's confidence even higher.
"Anytime you beat the defending state champions is always a good thing," Pelton said, "and we were able to overcome a 1-0 deficit in the first half. The boys rose to the occasion, which they've done every time this year. I can't say enough about them."
The challenges and importance of each game continue to get bigger at state.
"We're going to approach it like every other game," Pelton said. "We have to control the game, control how it's played and we have to be good on both ends.
"Everybody's going to be good (at state), and nobody's going to lay down for you. You'll have to earn every opportunity you get to score, and you have to work hard to keep the other team from getting chances."
Streamwood is both excited about the trip, and confident in meeting the challenge Normal presents.
“We’ve seen a few articles on them and know they have a player with 37 goals,” Polovin said. “(Defender) Christian Balbino already said he wants to take him like he did with Oliver (Horgan) from Lake Park and completely shut him down.”
For Streamwood, Alan Camarena (23 goals, 12 assists), Donnie Sosa (9 goals) and Blerim Shabani (7 goals, 6 assists) have been offensive stars. Balbino and co-captains Edwin Rueda (midfield) and Mike Delaney (6-foot-2 defender) are among other key players on a very young team.
“I've been building it for many years,” Polovin said, “and with five freshmen getting the experience they have gotten this season, I think we might finally silence some of the doubters now. The guys deserve every ounce of respect and have shown they can and will play with anyone.
“The bar has been set now with this year’s run,” Polovin added. “The players who play on future teams will always want to be better than this year’s team no matter the outcome this weekend, and that's huge for the future.”
Hinsdale Central vs. Fremd
When Fremd edged Hinsdale Central 1-0 in mid-September to win the Peoria Notre Dame Invitational title, both teams were just beginning to find themselves.
The setting for Friday's rematch shows how high both teams have soared: with just one loss each since then, Fremd (19-5-1) and Hinsdale Central (17-4-4) meet again at 7 p.m. in the Class 3A state semifinals at Hoffman Estates.
Great defense in general and goalkeeping in particular has powered both teams deep into the playoffs.
Thanks to big saves by keeper Wes Bergevin, Hinsdale Central won sectional semifinal and supersectional games in penalty kick sessions. Bergevin (15 shutouts) also stopped a PK with 10 seconds left in regulation to beat Morton 3-2 in the sectional final.
Fremd has been a little less dramatic, but equally effective. The Vikings have allowed just one goal in its last nine games, and goalkeeper Will Lefevre made a spectacular leaping stop late in a 1-0 supersectional win over New Trier.
"Our defense has been solid as of late," Fremd coach Steve Keller said. "Having a goalie that comes up with the big save helps settle our defense down."
Offensive standouts for Fremd are Ben Poder (12 goals), Luke Schoffstall (9 goals) and Zach Schoffstall (6 goals, 16 assists).
Hinsdale Central's Jack Baderman (12 goals), Bryan Loebig (5 goals, 14 assists) and sweeper Evan Floersch have had excellent seasons. The Red Devils' only two losses in the last 17 games have come to Fremd and New Trier.
The Red Devils have fared well in postseason rematches (avenging a 3-0 regular season loss to Morton), but know Fremd will be a big challenge.
"Fremd is a team that will take advantage of missed opportunities," Hinsdale Central coach Mike Wiggins said. "We saw that back in September in Peoria. We will need to be very prepared on our restarts and always be aware of how they set up."
Keller downplays the significance of his team's earlier win over the Red Devils.
"It was a pretty even game back in September," Keller said, "and we were the team that got the bounce.
"We definitely have our work cut out for us. Hinsdale is a well-organized team that keeps their shape very well. We have to match their intensity and play to our potential.
"We have to limit our mistakes and capitalize on our opportunities," Keller added. "It should be a good match."
Fremd has postseason history on its side, with two titles in eight trips to state and the most recent appearance (third place in 2011) of the four combatants.
Hinsdale Central placed fourth in 2007, its last state semifinal berth. Wiggins also twice coached Downers Grove South to the state quarterfinals in the 1990s, and his latest state title contender has made a impression.
"This year’s team has been a group that our school and community can be so proud of," Wiggins said. "It's a group that is respectful, responsible, hard-working, coachable, determined and willing to compete.
"For every player who has ever put on the jersey representing Hinsdale Central soccer, in any year, there is pride in this year’s soccer team, a group that has come out every day doing things the right way.”
Playing at an elite level when it matters most has four teams left standing in the title chase.
"Anytime you reach the state finals, you are among the best," Wiggins said. "We know that Fremd, along with Normal and Streamwood all bring a level of play which will allow them to compete, and we will just need to focus on what has made us successful to this point.
"Any of these four teams has what it takes to be the 2014 Illinois high school boys soccer state champion."
Fremd, Hinsdale Central, Normal
and Streamwood battle for the big prize
By Dave Owen
Illinois Class 3A high school soccer's big dance will kick off a 5 p.m. Friday opener between a Cinderella team and the last undefeated team in the division.
With just one regional title (2012) in its history before this season, Streamwood has blasted into the school record books with a great postseason run.
A 2-1 supersectional win Tuesday over 2013 fourth-place finisher Lake Park sent the Sabres (17-5-2) on to face Normal (22-0-2) in the first Class 3A semifinal in Hoffman Estates.
"The guys are really excited for the chance to play in the state semifinal against Normal,” Streamwood coach Matt Polovin said.
“At this point in the season any team we play will be good, but the confidence my team has right now is higher than any team I've had in 15 years. They truly feel they can beat any team they go up against, and they are definitely a fun team to watch.”
Normal has its own great story -- the Ironmen never advanced past sectionals either until last week.
While Normal's Eddie Plesha has huge offensive numbers (37 goals, 18 assists), the microscopic number of goals allowed (six in 24 games) by goalkeeper Josh Millmore and the Normal defense is equally or more impressive.
"The guys have really been willing to commit to the task at hand," Normal fourth-year coach Brian Pelton said of his unbeaten squad. "They've been willing to do anything I ask them, and they've really worked hard and battled hard for each other."
Beating Edwardsville 2-1 for the first sectional title in program history sent Normal's confidence even higher.
"Anytime you beat the defending state champions is always a good thing," Pelton said, "and we were able to overcome a 1-0 deficit in the first half. The boys rose to the occasion, which they've done every time this year. I can't say enough about them."
The challenges and importance of each game continue to get bigger at state.
"We're going to approach it like every other game," Pelton said. "We have to control the game, control how it's played and we have to be good on both ends.
"Everybody's going to be good (at state), and nobody's going to lay down for you. You'll have to earn every opportunity you get to score, and you have to work hard to keep the other team from getting chances."
Streamwood is both excited about the trip, and confident in meeting the challenge Normal presents.
“We’ve seen a few articles on them and know they have a player with 37 goals,” Polovin said. “(Defender) Christian Balbino already said he wants to take him like he did with Oliver (Horgan) from Lake Park and completely shut him down.”
For Streamwood, Alan Camarena (23 goals, 12 assists), Donnie Sosa (9 goals) and Blerim Shabani (7 goals, 6 assists) have been offensive stars. Balbino and co-captains Edwin Rueda (midfield) and Mike Delaney (6-foot-2 defender) are among other key players on a very young team.
“I've been building it for many years,” Polovin said, “and with five freshmen getting the experience they have gotten this season, I think we might finally silence some of the doubters now. The guys deserve every ounce of respect and have shown they can and will play with anyone.
“The bar has been set now with this year’s run,” Polovin added. “The players who play on future teams will always want to be better than this year’s team no matter the outcome this weekend, and that's huge for the future.”
Hinsdale Central vs. Fremd
When Fremd edged Hinsdale Central 1-0 in mid-September to win the Peoria Notre Dame Invitational title, both teams were just beginning to find themselves.
The setting for Friday's rematch shows how high both teams have soared: with just one loss each since then, Fremd (19-5-1) and Hinsdale Central (17-4-4) meet again at 7 p.m. in the Class 3A state semifinals at Hoffman Estates.
Great defense in general and goalkeeping in particular has powered both teams deep into the playoffs.
Thanks to big saves by keeper Wes Bergevin, Hinsdale Central won sectional semifinal and supersectional games in penalty kick sessions. Bergevin (15 shutouts) also stopped a PK with 10 seconds left in regulation to beat Morton 3-2 in the sectional final.
Fremd has been a little less dramatic, but equally effective. The Vikings have allowed just one goal in its last nine games, and goalkeeper Will Lefevre made a spectacular leaping stop late in a 1-0 supersectional win over New Trier.
"Our defense has been solid as of late," Fremd coach Steve Keller said. "Having a goalie that comes up with the big save helps settle our defense down."
Offensive standouts for Fremd are Ben Poder (12 goals), Luke Schoffstall (9 goals) and Zach Schoffstall (6 goals, 16 assists).
Hinsdale Central's Jack Baderman (12 goals), Bryan Loebig (5 goals, 14 assists) and sweeper Evan Floersch have had excellent seasons. The Red Devils' only two losses in the last 17 games have come to Fremd and New Trier.
The Red Devils have fared well in postseason rematches (avenging a 3-0 regular season loss to Morton), but know Fremd will be a big challenge.
"Fremd is a team that will take advantage of missed opportunities," Hinsdale Central coach Mike Wiggins said. "We saw that back in September in Peoria. We will need to be very prepared on our restarts and always be aware of how they set up."
Keller downplays the significance of his team's earlier win over the Red Devils.
"It was a pretty even game back in September," Keller said, "and we were the team that got the bounce.
"We definitely have our work cut out for us. Hinsdale is a well-organized team that keeps their shape very well. We have to match their intensity and play to our potential.
"We have to limit our mistakes and capitalize on our opportunities," Keller added. "It should be a good match."
Fremd has postseason history on its side, with two titles in eight trips to state and the most recent appearance (third place in 2011) of the four combatants.
Hinsdale Central placed fourth in 2007, its last state semifinal berth. Wiggins also twice coached Downers Grove South to the state quarterfinals in the 1990s, and his latest state title contender has made a impression.
"This year’s team has been a group that our school and community can be so proud of," Wiggins said. "It's a group that is respectful, responsible, hard-working, coachable, determined and willing to compete.
"For every player who has ever put on the jersey representing Hinsdale Central soccer, in any year, there is pride in this year’s soccer team, a group that has come out every day doing things the right way.”
Playing at an elite level when it matters most has four teams left standing in the title chase.
"Anytime you reach the state finals, you are among the best," Wiggins said. "We know that Fremd, along with Normal and Streamwood all bring a level of play which will allow them to compete, and we will just need to focus on what has made us successful to this point.
"Any of these four teams has what it takes to be the 2014 Illinois high school boys soccer state champion."