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 The 2012 IHSA Class 1A Boys Soccer State Finals return to the Corn Crib in Normal for the second consecutive year on Friday and Saturday, October 26-27. The 2012 tournament marks the 41st annual season of the Boys Soccer State Finals and the fifth year of the three-class system. Defending state champion Quincy Notre Dame is not a part of the field in 2012, meaning that one of the qualifiers will be taking home its first boys soccer state championship trophy in school history. Hinckley-Big Rock will meet Alton Marquette at 5 p.m. in Friday’s first semifinal and Urbana University and Keith Country Day square off at 7 p.m. in the second semi. All four state final tournament matches on Friday and Saturday will be webcast live with full video and audio free of charge on IHSA.tv.
HINCKLEY-BIG ROCK ROYALS (22-4-0)
Hinckley-Big Rock reaches the state tourney for the fifth time in school history and for the first time under fifth-year head coach Paul Taeuber. The Royals postseason run includes a 7-1 win over Princeton, who defeated the Royals 1-0 in September, as well as avenging a pair of regular-season setbacks against Somomauk (3-2 OT, 2-1) with a 2-0 win in the Regional final. Senior forward Bernie Conley is the top goal scorer taking the Corn Crib field this weekend, having tallied team-highs in goals (34) and assists (23). Most of his helpers have gone to senior midfielder Billy Weissinger (27 goals), while sophomore goalkeeper Jason Bohannon is allowing just under a goal per game (.96 GAA).
ALTON MARQUETTE EXPLORERS (18-6-1)
Second-year head coach Jeremy Sanfilippo has guided the Explorers to the state tournament for the first time in school history, as Marquette enters the final weekend of the season on a 10-match winning streak after rebounding from a 3-5-1 start. The Explorers defense has been dominant at times this season, as senior goalkeeper Zach Horn (.96 GAA) and company have recorded 13 shutouts and limited opponents to a goal or less in 18 of 25 matches this season. Horn is an elite company with over 300 saves on the season, while the Explorers offense runs through a pair of double-digit scorers in senior midfielder Nick Korte (14 goals, 6 assists) and junior forward Matt Hampton (13 goals, 12 assists).
URBANA UNIVERSITY ILLINEKS (21-2-1)
Phil Anders’ University club breaks through for its first state final appearance after reaching the Super-Sectional round a year ago. The Illineks have been a team on a mission in 2012, playing 15 (14-0-1 start) matches before suffering their first defeat. That urgency has carried over into the postseason as well, as the team has outscored opponents 23-4 in five matches and was only tested during a 2-1 overtime win over Manteno in the Sectional semis. The team has six payers on the offensive end with double-digit goals this season, including senior forward Patrick Wong (26 goals, 24 assists) and senior midfielder Tarik Koric (20 goals, 16 assists), while junior goalkeeper Tristan Gurtler boasts 81 saves and a .87 goals against average in 2012.
KEITH COUNTRY DAY COUGARS (22-3-1)
Keith Country Day returns to the state finals for the second time ever and first time since placing third in the state in 2009. Rillo Olivera’s club has only allowed one goal during the postseason, outscoring foes 16-1, and has posted 17 shutouts this season with senior goalkeeper Matt Greer (.68 GAA) between the posts for nearly every meaningful minute. The Cougar offense is led by a pair of 20-goal scorers in junior forward David Rebollar (23 goals, 18 assists) and senior midfielder Rafi Pelayo (21 goals, 13 assists), while senior defender Danny Morales has been a key to Keith Country Day’s stingy defense and can also score if needed (7 goals).
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SITE
The Corn Crib (Normal)
Directions
SCHEDULE
Friday, October 26
Semifinal #1 - 5:00 p.m.
Hinckley-Big Rock vs. Alton Marquette
Semifinal #2 - 7:00 p.m.
Urbana University vs. Keith Country Day
Saturday, October 27
Third-Place - 3:00 p.m.
Championship - 5:00 p.m.
WATCH
All matches available live on www.IHSA.tv
LISTEN
WSPY 107.1FM (Plano)
Hinckley-Big Rock only
Internet Broadcast
WBGZ 1570AM (Alton)
Marquette only
Internet Broadcast
RESULTS & BOX SCORES
IHSA Boys Soccer Page
TICKETS
$6 per day
INTERACT
Chat
Photos
Video
HISTORY & RECORDS
2012 1A State Series
Record Book & Past Champions
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