Class 3A boys soccer tournament preview

The move to a three-class system in soccer by the IHSA has sent many to the internet and Google earth for a quick study on the topic of maps and geography and others to the passport office to help with travel to far away sectional sites. Here's a quick look at the sectionals involving area teams. Regional quarterfinals are today and finals are Friday and Saturday.

Rockford Boylan

Four regionals here include one at Barrington where perhaps the top two clubs in the northern half of the state (the host Broncos and Lake Zurich) appear to be on a collision course in the second round. Top seed and NSC champ Lake Zurich (17-1-3) should take care of Dundee-Crown tonight, while the No. 2 Broncos (16-5-0) will have a tougher test in FVC champ Cary-Grove (14-1-1). The Boylan champ moves onto the Barrington supersectional on Nov. 4 to play the Wheaton North sectional champion.

Wheaton North

Top seeds Larkin (18-1-0) and Geneva (15-2-1) have been in the top 10 of nearly every publication during the past month, and must considered the favorites to meet in the Nov. 1 sectional final. A terrific regional final at Lake Park next week between the host No. 6 Lancers (12-5-4) and No. 3 Schaumburg (14-6-0) should be the regional highlight at this sectional, with No. 4 Wheaton North at No. 5 Streamwood (15-4-4) a close second. Lake Park has drawn with Streamwood and defeated state power Neuqua Valley this season.

Libertyville

Taking advantage of a great start and way-too-soon seeding meeting, Waukegan grabbed the top seed in front of No. 2 Deerfield (15-3-1), No. 3 Stevenson, No. 4 St. Viator (18-2-0), No. 5 Palatine (17-4-0) and No. 6 Wheeling (15-5-2). Not to be forgotten is three-time MSL champ Hersey, Libertyville, and Glenbrook South, which recently defeated Wheeling 3-2. ESCC champ St. Viator has won 18 straight and Palatine has won 9 of its last 10. Deerfield has defeated both Palatine (3-1) and Glenbrook South (4-2) while drawing with Stevenson 1-1. "There are 9-10 teams here that can say they have a chance, it's that tough of a sectional," said Stevenson coach Mark Schartner. The winner here advances to the Loyola supersectional to meet the Niles North sectional champ and more than likely No. 1 New Trier (15-1-0) or No. 2 Loyola (13-3-2). No. 7 Maine West (11-7-0) is on pace to see Loyola on the Ramblers turf in the regional final.

-Mike Garofola