2017 Class 1A GIRLS SOCCER State Final Preview

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2017 Class 1A GIRLS SOCCER State Final Preview

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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.

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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