Barrington fetes back-to-back soccer champs
Barrington High School's first sports team to win two state championships was publicly honored Tuesday night.
Members of the girls soccer team that beat New Trier High School in a shootout in Saturday's Class 3A title game and head coach Ryan Stengren were the toast of the Barrington Area Unit District 220 board meeting. Not only is the girls soccer team the first to notch two state titles at a school with a 100-year-plus history, but the feat also came back to back and against the same opponent.
Barrington High Principal Stephen McWilliams still marveled at the championship game between teams that he said displayed plenty of "heart, desire and grit." He spoke before the players and coaches were formally congratulated by the school board.
"We get to see a lot of athletic events at a high level," McWilliams said. "And I would say that what I saw on Saturday night was, arguably, the best high school athletic competition I have ever seen."
Stengren thanked administrators for their support and complimented his team for their prowess on the pitch and academic excellence.
"You get such community support," he said. "These girls are treated like professional athletes."
District 220 board member Angela Wilcox said Stengren is humble coach who deserves credit for the Fillies' soccer team success.
"The reason that people rally around this team and this sport is the enthusiasm and the amazing coaching ability that you bring," Wilcox told Stengren. "And all of these girls just adore you and are so proud to be part of something you have helped them to create."
In Saturday's championship tilt with New Trier at North Central College in Naperville, the Fillies won penalty kicks 3-2 to take match 2-1. Ashley Prell provided the winning kick.
Barrington topped New Trier in a shootout to win the 3A state title in 2017.