Red Devils win in 2 OTs

Hinsdale Central's Mark Knight may have been tongue-tied after his squad's 2-1 double-overtime win over defending state champion New Trier, but that's what scoring a game-winning goal in a Class AA quarterfinal boys soccer game can do to you.

"I don't know what to say. I don't have any words for it," Knight said. "Best feeling ever."

Knight's goal in the game's 94th minute put his squad into today's semifinal against Barrington at North Central College, guaranteeing his program its first state finals trophy since Hinsdale Central won the state crown in 1975.

Hinsdale Central (20-6-1) weathered a New Trier attack that earned a 12-5 edge in shots on net, but the Red Devils had a secret weapon that the Trevians (21-3-1) didn't on Friday: goalkeeper John Shakon.

"Beating a team like New Trier twice in a year -- that's something substantial," said Red Devils coach Mike Wiggins. "They took it to us pretty good. But that's big-time, what John Shakon did tonight."

What Shakon did was make 9 saves on the night, and no less than five of them were spectacular. The senior went parallel to the ground twice to snare shots out of the air, and he stuffed two more from point-blank range.

"When our defense gets beat, and you turn around watch a shot that you think is going to go in, and he just comes out of nowhere and makes a great save," said Red Devils senior David Tiemstra. "We're glad to have him back there."

Tiemstra scored the game's first goal on a header off a Greg Patterson free kick in the 65th minute. New Trier answered three minutes later with a goal by Chris Ritter.

The Trevians turned up the heat on Hinsdale Central after tying the score, but the Red Devils stayed calm and kept them out of net to the end of regulation.

"A goal is a goal. You just have to get up and let it go and keep playing," Shakon said. "If you dwell on the goal, you're mentally out of it, and when it comes time to make another save, you're not mentally there and chances are you won't make a save."

Four minutes into the second overtime period, the Red Devils' Jeff Graham hustled to the end line and earned a corner kick. Teammate Jason Loebig sent it in, Knight scored on a header and the Red Devils lived to play another day.

They'll take on Barrington (23-2) at 11 a.m. today, for a shot at a state title.