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The 2017 IHSA Class 2A and Class 3A Boys Soccer State Finals return to Hoffman Estates High School on Friday and Saturday, November 3-4. Class 2A action begins with Friday semifinals at 1:00 and 3:00 p.m., while the Class 3A semifinals follow at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. Saturday’s Class 2A third-place match begins at 11:00 a.m., followed by the 2A title match. The 3A third-place and state championship matches are slated for Saturday evening at 5:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m., respectively.
Presenting sponsor Country Financial brings fans broadcasts of all four matches this weekend via the NFHS Network at www.IHSA.tv with IHSA TV veteran Nate Baliva on the call.
Team previews are below:
CLASS 2A
WHEATON ACADEMY WARRIORS (23-4-0)
Perennial power Wheaton Academy returns to the state tourney for the first time since Jeff Brooke’s squad won the Class 2A crown in 2014. The Warriors have allowed just one goal in five postseason matches this season with senior JD Gunn between the pipes. Wheaton Academy features four double-digit goal scorers, with senior forward Luke Holwerda leading the way with 32 netters. The Warriors enter the weekend on a 16-match winning streak.
GIBAULT CATHOLIC HAWKS (17-6-3)
A new head coach, but the same old tradition. Darryn Haudrich’s first season as Gibault’s head coach results in the school’s second straight state final trip and 11th since 2000, including four state championships. Behind sophomore goalkeeper Conner Olson, the Hawks have shutout their last four State Series opponents, winning those tight games by a combined total of 5-0. Junior midfielder Karson Huels leads the team in goals (17) and assists (10) and recorded the helper in a 1-0 Super-Sectional win.
ST. PATRICK SHAMROCKS (23-4-2)
The Shamrocks were 2-20-2 in 2014 when Kyle McClure took over as the program’s head coach. Four short years later, St. Patrick is making its first state final appearance in school history. Led by the one-two scoring punch of senior forward Chris Modrzejewski (33 goals, 13 assists) and sophomore forward Luis Saucedo (24 goals), the team enters the weekend on a 14-match win streak and has outscored its five postseason opponents by a combined score of 18-4.
SOLORIO ACADEMY SUN WARRIORS (17-6-4)
Solorio fell 1-0 in the Regional Final a year ago to eventual Class 2A runner-up Mt. Carmel. This season, eighth-year head coach Adrian Calleros’ group wouldn’t be denied, as the Sun Warriors clinched their first state final trip in school history in any team sport. Senior forward Jose Solis (21 goals, 18 assists) does it all on offense for the Sun Warriors, while Bryan Rangel Hurtado (1.28 GAA) has enjoyed a strong senior campaign in goal.
CLASS 3A
LIBERTYVILLE WILDCATS (19-0-2)
Kevin Thunholm’s first season as Libertyville’s head coach results in the school’s fifth overall state final berth, with plenty of talent returning from 2015’s state title team. Senior forward Ryan Wittenbrink (38 goals, 17 assists) scored both of the Wildcats goals in that 2-1 title match triumph over Quincy two years ago. Libertyville has been dominant all year, outscoring its five postseason opponents 23-1 as it looks to become the first unbeaten state champ since Benet in 2000.
BRADLEY-BOURBONNAIS BOILERMAKERS (18-3-1)
The Boilermakers roll back into the state finals for the second straight season after making their inaugural appearance a year ago when they finished third after a 2-1 loss to eventual state Naperville North in the semifinals. Rohan Robinson’s club returns the explosive senior twin tandem of Nicholas (47 goals) and Anthony (40 goals) Markanich, while Efrain Davila III facilitates (52 assists). After a 1-3-1 close to the regular-season, the Boilermakers are averaging nearly four goals per game in the postseason.
NAPERVILLE NORTH HUSKIES (25-1-1)
The defending state champs are back and Jim Konrad’s team has the look of one that could hoist the third state championship trophy in school history. The Huskies avenged their lone loss of the season against rival Naperville Central with a 1-0 double OT victory in the Sectional Final. Junior goalie Tommy Welch (.42 GAA) and company haven’t allowed a postseason goal as a part of 19 shutouts, while senior forward Ian Guppy (15 goals) paces the offense.
ST. CHARLES NORTH NORTH STARS (16-2-4)
St. Charles North will make its second state final appearance, both under head coach Eric Willson, this weekend, while already assuring the program of its first state trophy. Senior forward Jake Persenico (16 goals) leads the offense, while senior goalkeeper Piercarlo Ricossa (110 saves) is allowing less than a goal per match (.84 GAA) in 2017. The North Stars postseason run has included wins over both teams it lost to in regular-season, including St. Charles East (3-2 in Regional Final) and Jacobs (2-0 in Super-Sectional).
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TOURNAMENT HISTORY
46th annual State Series
10th year of 3-Class Series
SITE
Hoffman Estates High School
Directions
SCHEDULE
Friday, November 3
Session 1 - Class 2A
Semifinal #1 - 1:00 p.m.
Wheaton Academy vs. Gibault Catholic
Semifinal #2 - 3:00 p.m.
St. Patrick vs. Solorio Academy
Session 2 - Class 3A
Semifinal #1 - 5:00 p.m.
Libertyville vs. Bradley-Bourbonnais
Semifinal #2 - 7:00 p.m.
Naperville North vs. St. Charles North
Saturday, November 4
Session 3 - Class 2A
Third-Place - 11:00 a.m.
Championship - 1:00 p.m.
Session 4 - Class 3A
Third-Place - 5:00 p.m.
Championship - 7:00 p.m.
TICKETS
$6 per day
WATCH
All matches available live on www.IHSA.tv via NFHS Network subscription
LISTEN
No radio broadcasts scheduled at this time
RESULTS & BOX SCORES
IHSA Boys Soccer Page
SOCIAL MEDIA
#IHSA on Twitter
Twitter - @IHSAstate
Instagram - @IHSA_IL
Facebook.com/IHSA.IL
Classic IHSA YouTube Video
OFFICIAL STATE FINAL
Gear from Minerva
Photos from VIP
Balls from Wilson
IHSA Program
STATE SUPPORTERS
Country Financial
Wilson Sporting Goods
Peoria Awning
Gatorade
MaxPreps
STUDENT SAFETY
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HISTORY & RECORDS
2017 2A/3A State Series
Record Book & Past Champions
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