Westminster to play for 1A regional title
Tim Rodgers and Robert Kleczynski scored first-half goals and Sam Carani came up with two game-saving stops in the net as the Westminster Christian boys soccer team held off Christian Liberty 2-1 Tuesday in the semifinals of the Class 1A Westminster Christian regional.
The Warriors (11-3-1) will take on the winner of today’s semifinal between St. Edward and Elgin Academy in Friday’s championship game.
Carani made two saves on penalty kicks, turning away one threat 30 seconds into the game and another with 15 minutes to play. Noah Gannon and Rodgers added assists for Westminster.
“The first five minutes was crazy,” said Westminster coach Erik Schwartz. “These guys do just enough to win, which can drive you crazy but it’s good enough to win.”
Carani made 6 saves in the game.
Cary-Grove 4, CL South 2: The Trojans wrapped up the Fox Valley Conference Valley Division title undefeated as Kevin Wilde scored 2 goals and Mike McKune and Mike Conway added one each. Matt Arenberg had 2 assists with Dale Opasser and Steve Camporese adding one each for Cary-Grove (16-0-2 overall). Kevin Schenk made 5 saves in goal for Cary-Grove. Gary Sexson and Sam Murdock scored for Crystal Lake South.
“We’re very happy with wrapping up the conference undefeated,” said Trojans’ coach Mark Olson.
Dundee-Crown 3, McHenry 0: Francisco, Nava, Richard Tinajero and Jonathan Castillo had the goals and Christian Martinez made 3 saves to get the shutout as Dundee-Crown (17-3-1, 4-2) snapped a 2-game losing streak in the FVC Valley.
Larkin 2, Metea Valley 2: Michael Gomez and Erik Rodriguez scored goals for the Royals (11-5-4) in this Upstate Eight crossover. Jazael Medina and Tony Hernandez added assists for the Royals, while Aldair Dominguez and Francisco Mendoza shared the goal, with Dominguez making 5 saves.
South Elgin 1, Batavia 1: Jose Perez scored off an assist from Phil Saccameno as South Elgin tied with Batavia an a UEC crossover. Tyler Shipon made 4 saves in goal for the Storm (6-10-2) and Mike Cortez had 9 stops.
Geneva 3, Bartlett 0: In another UEC crossover, Justin Busch had 11 saves for Bartlett (1-15).
Grayslake Central 4, Hampshire 3: Robert Lucio and Peter Panagakos had goals for Hampshire (5-14-1, 1-5) in this FVC Fox loss. Andy Pederson made 18 saves in goal for the Whip-Purs.
Neuqua Valley 2, Streamwood 1: Luis Rodriguez had the Sabres’ only goal in this UEC crossover loss. Phil Lewy had 3 saves in goal for Streamwood (11-7).
Waubonsie Valley 4, Elgin 0: Eleno Montez made 8 saves for the Maroons in this UEC crossover.
Prairie Ridge 3, Huntley 1: Lucas Baker scored Huntley’s only goal in this FVC Valley loss. Tommy Helm had 6 saves in goal for the Red Raiders (14-6-1, 2-4).
John Radtke contributed to this report