Stevenson to battle for Scholastic Cup title
With a trip to the championship game of the Scholastic Cup on the line, a determined Stevenson hockey team emerged victorious over Neuqua Valley on Wednesday night.
Goalie Adam Croft made 41 saves, and the Patriots won 3-1 to advance to Sunday's 8 p.m. title game against Glenbrook North in Northbrook.
Stevenson scored all 3 of its goals in the second period.
Chris Steigerwald got things started, jumping on the ice in the offensive zone and drilling a slap shot past the NV goalie. Brian Murtha and Jordan Jobes assisted.
Two minutes later, the Patriots took advantage of a power play. Murtha and Kevin Welter worked the puck to Ross Dickson, who one-timed a shot into the net.
Three minutes later, hard work from Joey Pellettiere and Matt Levey opened up a lane for Bryan Halpert, whose wrister found the back of the net.
With the Patriots up 3-0 in the third period, Croft preserved the lead by turning away 25 of 26 shots.
Blackhawk Cup: No. 4 Stevenson advanced to the round of 16 by beating York 6-0 at Twin Rinks on Monday night and will take on No. 20 Providence on Tuesday at 8:25 p.m. at the AHAI rink in Bensenville.
Providence upset No. 13 New Trier Blue by the score of 4-2 to advance.
Joey Pellettiere scored 3 goals and dished out 2 assists for Stevenson (41-10-3) against York.
Brian Murtha, Matt Levey and Bryan Halpert also scored for the Patriots in their final home game of the season.
Other assists were recorded by Levey, Dan Wood, Ross Dickson, Chris Steigerwald and Greg Rachke. Goalie John DiTallo stopped 23 shots to earn his fourth shutout of the year.
Wood, Croft make Showcase Team: Stevenson seniors Dan Wood and Adam Croft have been selected to the Illinois Showcase team.
Both were chosen during tryouts of 120 of the state's top high school players for the annual event, which will feature 24 boys teams from across the United States representing 43 states. They will compete and showcase their talents to scouts from every major hockey institution in the country.
All games will be played April 16-20 at the AHAI Hockey Center in Bensenville.
Football
Mundelein players sign: A pair of defensive standouts for Mundelein have signed letters of intent to continue their football careers
Defensive tackle Sean Santiago will play for the University of Sioux Falls, while linebacker Anthony Gianaras will suit up for Drake University.
A three-year varsity starter, Santiago earned honorable mention all-North Suburban Conference honors last fall.
Sioux Falls is one of the most formidable and successful NAIA football programs in the country. The Cougars won the national championship in 1996 and again in 2006 (14-0) and were runners-up last year with a record of 13-1.
Sioux Falls has won 28 consecutive games at home, never has been ranked lower than No. 5 in the last eight years, and boasts a record of 159-6 in conference play.
Gianaras was named first team all-conference last fall. A three-year starter, he led the Mustangs in tackles as a senior. He also played tight end.