New Trier again has STC's number
The road leading up to Wednesday's boys state lacrosse semifinals was quite different for St. Charles than last season.
Yet, as the St. Charles players exited the field in Northfield after the contest, the end result was all too familiar.
While St. Charles was able to keep the game within reach for three quarters of play, the Trevians ultimately pulled away in the final quarter by scoring three game-clinching goals, and wrapped up the semifinal victory by a score of 6-2.
The defending state champion Trevians meet Loyola for the state lacrosse championship. Over the last 20 years, there has yet to be a state final that did not include one of these perennial powerhouses.
"I feel a lot better about (the loss) this year, because we kept it a lot closer," St. Charles coach Andy Thompson said.
A year ago to the day, St. Charles' season ended in the semis with a 16-7 loss to the Trevians. With last year's loss hanging over their heads, there was certainly added motivation to an already pumped up St. Charles squad.
"We definitely felt we could keep up with them, but you have to give credit to their goalie," St. Charles senior Sean Brogan said. "He kept making save after save and it starts to wear on your mind."
After a quick goal by New Trier less than five minutes into the game, Brogan tied up the match with a perfectly placed shot into the lower right hand corner of the goal.
The match remained knotted at 1-1 until Steve Shapiro of New Trier made the score 2-1 with a shorthanded goal, after which Augie Remien scored his second goal of the match for the Trevians.
While the Trevians led 3-1 at the half and would maintain that lead into the fourth quarter, St. Charles goalie Sean McGushin was doing everything he could to keep his team in contention, as he made one incredible save after another.
"I was just trying to stay true to myself out there," said McGushin. "We were trying to do too much and we didn't end up playing like we had earlier in the playoffs -- all heart and all hustle."
The heart and hustle was certainly there Wednesday for St. Charles, but finding the net would prove to be a daunting challenge. Despite a late goal from senior Cam Caruso, it would be too little too late for St. Charles.
"I know we've grown a lot from last season," Thompson said. "All the young guys that were watching will want their chance to get out there and try to do what we weren't able to do this year -- beat New Trier and get to the state championship."