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Not a 'Normal' game for Streamwood

Defensive mistakes never really sneaked up on the Streamwood boys soccer team this season.

But those miscues flared up at the absolute worst time in the Sabres' quest for a Class 3A state championship and a squad defined by allowing 21 goals in 24 games, amassing 10 shutouts and compiling 9 wins in which they allowed just 1 goal in each, met its offensive match Friday.

The undefeated, offensive juggernaut from downstate Illinois, Normal Community, was every bit as advertised and the Ironmen, who were bigger, taller, stronger and more physical, cruised to their first state final berth with a 4-0 win over the Sabres at Hoffman Estates High School.

Normal Community (23-0-2) will play Hinsdale Central at 7 p.m. Saturday for the state title, while the Sabres (17-6-2), who will be without top defender Christian Balbino in their final match due to a red card drawn in the 47th minute, will have to battle coach Matt Polovin's alma matter in Fremd (19-6-1) for third place at 5 p.m.

The Ironmen, led by all-state striker Eddie Plesha, who came in with 37 goals this season, were held mostly in check until Plesha assisted on the Ironmen's third goal and scored the final goal with 5 minutes remaining. But it was his supporting cast in Alex Gordon, all-state midfielder Mason Maier and Ryan Woodside who scored goals to advance Normal Community in what was its 20th shutout of the year.

“It just looked like Normal wanted the game a little more tonight,” Polovin said. “ (Forward Alan Camarena) did everything he possibly could to keep the team moving, drive them into their defensive end and we just couldn't really create anything tonight. Their defense pretty much smothered us most of the game.”

“We did everything we possibly could,” said Sabres' forward Donnie Sosa, who fought through the match with a sprained ankle. “We couldn't connect any passes and we just got frustrated. They're a good team, too, obviously. They did their job, we just didn't hold them off.”

It looked to be all Streamwood based on its offensive pressure and possession in the early going. But with 17:47 left in the first half, the first cookie crumbled and the Sabres were caught snoozing on a throw-in to Maier along the left wing from Dalton Bruso, a play drawn up in practice during the week, and Maier connected with Gordon on a strike, a de facto game-winner and a 1-0 lead.

Down but not out, just some sheer bad luck occurred for Streamwood on Mike Delaney's clear in the 30th minute, which morphed into a 2-goal deficit. The savvy defender connected on a header in the box that went straight to Maier (12th goal), whose header passed Sabres' keeper Sergio Blanco.

“They're big, they're tall, they're quick and pretty relentless on us,” Polovin said. “Kind of got the tables turn on us a little bit.”

Streamwood was outshot 16-8 and had only 2 shots at the half, none of which were on goal. The Sabres came out possession heavy in the first 10 minutes, but on a Sabre corner kick Balbino came down with a controversial red card at 47:08 after Normal goalie Josh Millmore fell to the ground prior to the boot.

“I was standing in front of the goalkeeper,” said Balbino, who was interrupted by Polovin. “He was getting violated,” was the best way Polovin was told. ”And basically I smacked his hand to get him off me and he took a dive to the ground, the ref was looking the opposite way,” Balbino said. “The linesmen told the ref something and gave me the red card.”

Sabres assistant Martin Khoshaba also received red and with Streamwood down a man for the final 32 minutes, Normal opened the floodgates with 2 goals, a nifty pass from Plesha to Woodside in the 52nd minute and Plesha's breakaway in the 74th minute for his 38th on the year.

The Sabres finally got a shot on goal by Camarena with 22 minutes left on the clock, but it was too little, too late, as Normal's defense cracked down on the Sabres' tempo.

“We were just told they were an attack-minded team and that their outside minds don't drop back as much,” Maier said. “So we tried to seem like that as best as we could in practice.”

Now Streamwood's attention and Polovin's ties with Fremd will surface. And the Sabres' focus is to be the only other team in 3A to end the season with a win.

“The best option we have is to fight for third place,” Sosa said. “No matter underneath any circumstances we want to, just get third place. That's our next goal and move on.”

Images: Class 3A Boys Soccer Semifinals

  Streamwood's Christian Balbino struggles to get the ball away from Normal's Eddie Plesha in the first period of the Class 3A boys soccer state semifinals at Hoffman Estates High School on Friday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Streamwood's Erie Ortiz hits the ground with disappointment after Normal defeats Streamwood in the Class 3A boys soccer state semifinals Friday at Hoffman Estates High School. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Streamwood coach Matt Polovin watches as the referees throw a yellow card against his team Friday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Streamwood's Jasminko Dizdarevic shows his disappointment after Normal's goalie stops his shot-on-goal in the second half Friday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Streamwood's Donnie Sosa battles with Normal's Nick Seger in the second half Friday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
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