The 2017 Illinois High School Association (IHSA) Girls Soccer State Finals open with the semifinals and finals of the Class 1A tournament this weekend at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium on the campus of North Central College in Naperville.
The Class 1A semifinals will unfold on the evening of Friday, May 27, with the third-place and state championship matches following on Saturday afternoon.
All of the action will be carried live on the NFHS Network by presenting sponsor Country Financial, and viewers can visit www.IHSA.tv to subscribe and watch the contests. The state championship match will also be rebroadcast on Comcast SportsNet Chicago in June, click here for dates and times.
JOHNSBURG SKYHAWKS (14-5-0) vs.
NORMAL UNIVERSITY PIONEERS (14-9-1)
Johnsburg finds itself back in the state finals for the second time in program history after placing fourth in 2013, which was the program’s first season under head coach Rob Eastland. The Skyhawks boast a trio of double-digit goal scores this year, including senior forward Taylor Piggott (22 goals) and junior forward Amber Humphres (17 goals, 15 assists). Johnsburg won both of its Sectional contests by a single goal, while winning its other three State Series matches by a combined score of 13-0.
Normal University (UHIGH) makes its fifth state final appearance in school history this weekend, including the second under 10th year head coach Hayley Sefton. The Pioneers have won three trophies previously, but forward Sarah LaFayette hopes to lead the program to its first state championship. LaFayette is enjoying a record-setting senior season, as her 63 goals ranks fourth in IHSA history for goals in season, and she could move as high as second on that list with four goals this weekend.
QUINCY NOTRE DAME RAIDERS (22-1-1) vs.
IC CATHOLIC KNIGHTS (21-5-0)
Quincy Notre Dame head coach Mark Longo knows the state final stage well. Longo has led the Raiders to all seven of its state appearances, including a trio of state championships between 2010 and 2013. Notre Dame’s 2017 edition is unbeaten against in-state competition, and has allowed one goal in its last nine matches behind sophomore goaltender Delaney Walker (.54 GAA). McKenzie Foley (33 goals), whose older sisters Shannon and Cassidy starred the Raiders previous title teams, is the top offensive threat.
Second-year head coach Tom Schergen has the Knights in the state finals for just the second time in program history. Senior Tessa Langen (31 goals, 21 assists) is the squad’s offensive catalyst, while the defense has allowed one goal or less 16 times this season against a schedule filled mostly with 2A and 3A opponents. The Knights enter Naperville on a 10-match winning streak that includes a 1-0 Super-Sectional win over Chicago University, with junior midfielder Grace Fuller (17 goals) tallying the lone goal in the win.
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TOURNAMENT HISTORY
30th annual State Series
9th year of 3-Class Series
16th year at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium
SITE
Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium
North Central College
Naperville
Directions
WEATHER
Updates/delays posted on Twitter at @IHSAWeather
SCHEDULE
Friday, May 26
Class 1A Semifinals
5:00 p.m.
Johnsburg vs. Normal UHIGH
7:00 p.m.
Quincy Notre Dame vs. IC Catholic
Saturday, May 27
Class 1A Finals
3:00 p.m. - Third-Place
5:00 p.m. - Championship
TICKETS
$6 per day
WATCH
All matches available live on www.IHSA.tv via NFHS Network subscription
1A Championship match rebroadcast on CSN Chicago on June 3/5
LISTEN
WTAD 930 AM (Quincy)
Quincy Notre Dame games
Internet Broadcast
RESULTS & BOX SCORES
IHSA Girls Soccer Page
SOCIAL MEDIA
#IHSA on Twitter
Twitter - @IHSAstate
Twitter Weather Updates
Instagram - @IHSA_IL
Facebook.com/IHSA.IL
Classic IHSA YouTube Video
OFFICIAL STATE FINAL
Gear from Minerva
Photos from VIP
Balls from Wilson
STATE SUPPORTERS
Country Financial
Wilson Sporting Goods
Gatorade
MaxPreps
STUDENT SAFETY
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HISTORY & RECORDS
2017 1A State Series
Record Book & Past Champions
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