Class 2A State tournament

Where: North Central College, Naperville

When: Friday's semifinals -Peoria Notre Dame (22-2-1) vs. Freeport (21-2-4), 11 a.m.; St. Viator (22-4-1) vs. Troy Triad (14-9-2), 1 p.m. Saturday - third place, 11 a.m.; championship, 1 p.m.

How they got here: St. Viator: d. Sullivan 9-1, Ridgewood 7-0, Fenton 3-0, Wells 6-1, St. Joseph 3-1; Triad d. Breese Mater Dei 8-1, Waterloo 6-1, Highland 3-2, Marion 1-0, Champaign Centennial 3-2 (OT).

Lions

Lowdown: Coach Mike Taylor's club is packed with hugely experienced players, many of whom have lived through thick and thin the last two seasons when the Lions folded early in the postseason despite holding all the cards. Lions have the ability to grab the initiative right away, insisting on a high pressing game while having attacking players who take on and beat defenders at every possible opportunity. Season-ending slump cost the Lions an East Suburban Catholic Conference title, but may have been the dramatic change of focus this club needed to bring home the big trophy.

Players to watch: Trevor Wheeler (MF, 12g, 8a), Kevin Cavers (MF, 15g, 12a, Alan Aboona (35g), Billy Hamilton (MF, 8g, 17a) Brendan King (D), Jack Horvath (MF, 11g, 9a), Scott Faul (GK, 0.71).

Triad talk: Before taking over Raiders program in 1997, head coach Mike Villa led St. Louis power Vianney to 7 state championships in his 23 seasons. Triad would open season 1-5-1, including 1-0 loss to Highland, only to come back to defeat 2A downstate power in its sectional opener. Raiders will target all-state candidate (Kyle Hoggatt) up top, however look for another weapon in (Tyler) Krenning who possesses long throw artistry and free-kick power as well.

Players to watch: Hoggatt (F, 14g, 13a), Gus Wagner (F, 8g), Blake Thomas (F, 9g), Krenning (D), Ben Howard (D), Jake Terveer (GK, 0.88).

Breaking through: "It was depressing to be (out) of the playoffs so early, so to get through and into the state tournament finally erases all those bad memories from the past two years that have been hanging with all of the seniors who have been here during this time." - Viator midfielder Kevin Cavers

Not looking ahead: "We played an outstanding second-half of soccer in our match with (St. Joseph) but I think all of us believe that there is still another level of play that we are capable of playing, beginning Friday afternoon in our semifinal match. We (were) all looking forward to a rematch with Peoria Notre Dame after losing to them (3-2) in the tournament final at the Mid-State Classic ... knowing that if we did see them again it would have to be in the 2A final. But there is no way anyone on this team is going to look past Triad or take them lightly, because if we do, our chances to win the title will be gone." - Viator midfielder Trevor Wheeler

History: This is the seventh appearance in the state finals in school history, the last in 2004 when the Lions defeated St. Joseph 2-1 in the Class A third-place match.