|
The 2018 IHSA Class 2A and Class 3A Boys Soccer State Finals return to Hoffman Estates High School on Friday and Saturday, November 2-3. 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.
Fans will be treated to some of the top high school soccer in the country according to MaxPreps. Naperville North enters the tournament as the nation’s #1 ranked team, while Libertyville is #2 and Peoria Notre Dame #5 per MaxPreps’ rankings. If the rankings hold true, the state would be assured of historic first in Class 3A on Saturday, as both Naperville North and Libertyville would enter with no losses or ties.
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
GIBAULT CATHOLIC HAWKS (17-4-5)
Gibault’s third straight state final trip comes under second-year head coach Darryn Haudrich. The Hawks were third in 2016, second last year, and hope the natural progression results in the program’s fifth state title this weekend. Senior forward Logan Doerr (22 goals, 14 assists) and senior midfielder Karson Huels (15 goals, 17 assists) have been Giabult’s offensive catalysts in 2018.
CRYSTAL LAKE SOUTH GATORS (20-2-3)
Twelfth-year head coach Brian Allen has led Crystal Lake South to the state finals for the first time in school history behind a strong defense. With goalkeeper Matt McCaleb (.42 GAA, 52 saves) at the backend, the Gators have allowed a goal or less in 21 matches this, including 14 shutouts. Junior forward Alex Canfield’s 30 goals have paced the Crystal Lake South offense during the historic campaign.
ST. IGNATIUS COLLEGE PREP WOLFPACK (16-7-0)
St. Ignatius returns to the state finals for the first time since placing second in 2013, while it will be the first trip under fifth-year head coach Ryan Kearns. A regular-season slate peppered with 3A teams prepared the Wolfpack for the postseason, where they have outscored their five foes by a combined score of 24-3 so far. 17 different St. Ignatius players have scored this season, with senior forward Matt Griffin leading the team with 18 netters.
PEORIA NOTRE DAME IRISH (22-2-0)
Four-time state champ Notre Dame is back at the finals for the 15th time in program history, with seven trips and three titles coming under twelfth-year head coach Mike Bare. With juniors Noah Madrigal (39 goals, 13 assists) and Myles Sophanavong (24 goals, 24 assists) leading the way, the Irish’s lone loss this season to an in-state program was a 1-0 setback against defending 3A champ Naperville North.
CLASS 3A
NAPERVILLE NORTH HUSKIES (24-0-0)
Naperville North’s incredible run continues, as the two-time defending state champs’ third act includes a chance to become the first IHSA state champion without a loss or tie. Head coach Jim Konrad will again relie on senior Colin Iverson (17 goals, 8 assists), who netted the lone goal in last year’s 1-0 state championship victory. Reigning Gatorade Player of the Year, 6-8 goalkeeper Tom Welch, is a D1 basketball recruit who has teamed with his defense to post 20 shutouts in 2018.
LAKE PARK LANCERS (21-3-3)
Lake Park combined for 20 wins in head coach Sean Crosby’s first two seasons, a total they have already surpassed this year alone, while also making the second state final appearance in school history (2013). The Lancers have won three straight postseason games by a single goal, a feat they have achieved nine times this season with senior midfielder Franco Presta (17 goals, 8 assists) and senior goalkeeper Christian Lekki (.83 GAA, 121 saves) leading the way.
COLLINSVILLE KAHOKS (18-5-2)
Weather delayed its Super-Sectional win (2-0 over Mt. Carmel) by a day, but head coach Rob Lugge has the Kahoks back at state for the first time since 2007 in just his second year at the helm. Senior midfielder Luke Liljegren (15 goals, 7 assists) and senior forward Logan Whitehead (14 goals, 5 assists) avenged both of its regular-season losses to Illinois schools in the postseason, defeating Granite City in the Regional and Edwardsville in Sectional.
LIBERTYVILLE WILDCATS (21-0-0)
Libertyville hasn’t lost a regular-season match the past two seasons, but head coach Kevin Thunholm’s group came up just short in the state championship a year ago, falling 1-0 to Naperville North. Paced by senior forward Evan Rasmussen (33 goals, 14 assists) and junior midfielder Mickey Reilly (13 goals, 11 assists), the Wildcats hope to become the first team in state history to finish with no losses or ties.
|
TOURNAMENT HISTORY
47th annual State Series
11th year of 3-Class Series
SITE
Hoffman Estates High School
Directions
SCHEDULE
Friday, November 2
Session 1 - Class 2A
Semifinal #1 - 1:00 p.m.
Gibault Catholic vs.
Crystal Lake South
Semifinal #2 - 3:00 p.m.
St. Ignatius vs.
Peoria Notre Dame
Session 2 - Class 3A
Semifinal #1 - 5:00 p.m.
Naperville North vs.
Lake Park
Semifinal #2 - 7:00 p.m.
Collinsville vs.
Libertyville
Saturday, November 3
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 at gate
Buy digital tickets now
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
Biaggis
Busey Bank
US Marines
Gift of Hope
STUDENT SAFETY
Play Smart. Play Hard.
Take the PSPH pledge...
HISTORY & RECORDS
2018 2A/3A State Series
Record Book & Past Champions
|