Deerfield ousts stubborn Warren

The Warren boys soccer team deserved a better seed going into postseason play.

The Blue Devils were placed No. 14 in the Class 3A Libertyville sectional despite having navigated one of the toughest schedules in the state. But because of their low seed, the Blue Devils ended up drawing one of the better teams in the state.

Warren didn't go down easily in its own regional on Monday afternoon, as second-seeded Deerfield got by the hosts 2-1 in regional semifinal play.

The Warriors (17-3-1) next play the winner of Tuesday's other regional semifinal between No. 10 seed Glenbrook North and No. 7 Zion-Benton in regional final action at 11 a.m. Saturday at Warren.

"I thought we were better than the seed we were given," said Warren coach Jason Ahonen, whose team was 1-6 at one point and ended its season at 9-10-1. "The boys have really come along playing together and for each other. It's frustrating for a number of them finishing out with a loss.

"Deerfield was a quality team and there's a reason why they're a No. 2 seed. It was a bitter pill to swallow for our boys and for myself. It wasn't from a lack of effort or falling apart."

Deerfield got on the board in the 19th minute when Michael Newman finished a one-time kick off a Scottie Lakin assist.

Then Brian Frankel scored his 18th goal of the season from a David Panter head flick in the 25th minute for a 2-0 advantage.

"It was a great play in general,"Frankel said. "We kind of worked (the ball) and got something out of it."

Warren cut the lead to 2-1 a minute later off a loose ball in back when Andrew Piotrowski scored.

However, despite a few good chances the rest of the way, Warren couldn't get the equalizer.

"We knew Warren would be a real tough game," Deerfield coach Elliott Hurtig said. "Warren is solid in back, great in the air and they were very tough. We knew going in it would be a tough one. It lived up to the expectations.

"We're used to maintaining the ball and we just couldn't get into a rhythm. Give credit to Warren for getting us out of it."

Blue Devils freshman keeper Brady Walsh held the Warriors in check, making 10 saves and dealing with a lot shots from the Warriors' offense.

"(Deerfield) had a strong attack," Walsh said. "I was just trying to keep my team in it. I just wanted us to have a chance in the game. If we could've finished our opportunities, we could've had it. We just had some unlucky bounces."