The 2014 IHSA Class 1A Boys Soccer State Finals return to the Corn Crib in Normal on Friday and Saturday, October 31-November 1. Friday’s semifinals will unfold at 5:00 and 7:00 p.m., respectively. Saturday’s third-place match will begin at 3:00 p.m., with the state championship match to follow. All four matches this weekend will be broadcast live by the NFHS Network on www.IHSA.tv.

Semifinal #1
HERSCHER TIGERS (28-2-0)  vs.
COLUMBIA EAGLES (19-3-2)
Herscher came up just short of a state title in 2013, falling to Gibault 2-1 in the state championship match. Seventh-year head coach Alan High has the Tigers back in the finals for the third time in school history, with this year’s squad entering on a 17-match win streak. Senior midfielder Brody Ryan (22 goals), who tallied a pair of goals in last year’s semifinal win, returns after combining for 40 goals this season with sophomore forward Ethan McGregor. Senior forward Colton Walter (10 goals, 11 assists) also returns after netting Herscher’s lone goal in last year’s title match. With senior goaltender Leighton Howard (165 saves, .57 GAA) also returning, defense has been the Tigers’ calling card, as the team has recorded four of its 17 shutouts this season in the postseason, where they have also won three one-goal games.
Columbia makes its second state final trip in program history and first under second-year head coach Jason Mathenia, who won a pair of state titles as a player at Granite City (watch 1990 match here on IHSAarchives), in 2014. Senior forward Matthew Roderick (19 goals, 9 assists) is the team’s offensive catalyst, as Broderick is the program’s career leader in goals (67) and second in career assists (31). Roderick is flanked by a pair of double-digit goal scorers in junior midfielders Ryan Gudeman (12 goals, 12 assists) and Cameron Roth (11 goals, 8 assists), who have helped the Eagles explode for 15 goals in the team’s last three matches. Freshman Jon Kuebler (53 saves) and senior Matt Hutichson (61 saves) have split time in goal all year, defining the team effort that has led to allowing one goal or less in 20 matches this season.


Semifinal #2
TIMOTHY CHRISTIAN TROJANS (18-4-1)  vs,
HARVARD HORNETS (22-4-0)
Timothy Christian reached the state finals three times from 2002 to 2009, including a Class 1A state title in 2009. After reaching the Super-Sectional round last year, first-year head coach Joe Grit helped the team reach state for the fourth time in program history in 2014. Grit’s squad features the dynamic one-two scoring punch of senior midfielder Tyler Vlasak (26 goals, 16 assists) and freshman midfielder Jimmy Allen (21 goals), both of whom have bested the previous school record for goals in a season. The Trojans have outscored their five State Series foes 22-2, including avenging a regular-season defeat to Chicago Christian in the Sectional semifinals. Junior Ben Lodewyk (37 saves) has split time at goalkeeper year, but was the hero in the Super-Sectional, where he made a spectacular save to give Timothy Christian the win over Latin in penalty kicks.
Harvard did not make it out of the Regional round a year ago, but the Hornets have been nearly perfect this season under long-time head coach David Abel, resulting in the first state final berth in school history. The Hornets started the year 3-0, then went on a four-match losing streak against four Class 3A opponents, but have now rattled off 19 consecutive wins dating back to September 4. The Hornets present a deep and balanced offensive attack that features five players who have scored 10 goals or more this season. That group is led by sophomore forward Mauricio Mercado (14 goals) and junior midfielder/forward Pedro Guzman, who can score (10 goals) or setup teammates (21 assists). Junior Humbert Hernandez has made 110 saves between the pipes this season for a defense that has registered 12 shutouts on the year.

TOURNAMENT HISTORY
43rd annual State Series
7th year of 3-Class Series
4th year at Corn Crib


SITE
The Corn Crib (Normal)
Directions


SCHEDULE
Friday, October 31
Semifinal #1 - 5:00 p.m.
Herscher  vs.
Columbia

Semifinal #2 - 7:00 p.m.
Timothy Christian  vs.
Harvard

Saturday, November 1
Third-Place -  3:00 p.m.
Championship - 5:00 p.m.


WATCH
All matches available live on www.IHSA.tv via NFHS Network subscription


LISTEN
Currently no scheduled broadcasts


RESULTS & BOX SCORES
IHSA Boys Soccer Page


TICKETS
$6 per day


INTERACT
Twitter Coverage:
@IHSAState    #IHSA

Photos

Classic IHSA Soccer


HISTORY & RECORDS
2014 1A State Series

Record Book & Past Champions