Gurson, Stevenson boot Highland Park

Gordy Gurson took the penalty kicks and snatched the plaque, too.

"We were just all kissing it and I was the one holding it," a smiling Gurson said as he clutched the Class 3A regional-championship trophy tightly with two gloved hands after he and his Stevenson soccer teammates blanked Highland Park 2-0 at Libertyville High School on Saturday.

Gurson scored both goals, on a pair of penalty kicks in the first 10 minutes, and the third-seeded Patriots (17-3) limited No. 6 Highland Park to few scoring chances in earning a berth in Wednesday's 5:30 p.m. sectional semifinal against Deerfield, a 1-0 winner over Carmel, at Stevenson.

Highland Park finished 17-6.

Gurson worked hard to draw the first of Stevenson's two PKs. He made a cutback move in the box to beat a defender, who slide-tackled and was called for a hand ball with just two minutes gone.

Gurson converted, kicking the ball off the post to beat Giants keeper Henry Munk.

"I had (the defender) beat so the only chance he had was to stick his hand out," Gurson said. "He did what he had to do."

In the ninth minute, the Patriots' Mike Martin was pushed in the box and the official blew his whistle. Gurson again took the PK and buried his 22nd goal of the season.

"We worked really hard to get (the penalty kicks)," Gurson said. "I think that if we don't get fouled or there's no hand ball in the box, we score those chances anyway. We built up perfectly to get those opportunities, and I think we deserved them."

Neither PK sat well with Highland Park.

"My feeling is that in a game like this you don't make calls like that," Giants coach Dave Bene said. "I was a little bit surprised and disappointed all at the same time. I think you let the kids play. We certainly played with (Stevenson). To get behind two goals is a tough thing for any team."

Gurson has 4 penalty-kick goals this season and three have come in the state tournament.

In Stevenson's regular-season finale, Grant keeper Anthony Pecorini thwarted Gurson on a PK.

"The first one I ever missed in my life was against Grant," Gurson said. "The goalie just read it perfectly and made a great save on me."

Stevenson enjoyed the better of the play against Highland Park, controlling the midfield with Martin, Steven Johnson, Ryan Uslander and Alex Nadelman. while Gurson was a constant threat with his quickness, ball skills and hustle. The defense - with Yonda Abogunrin, Shawn Singh, Ricky Lekakh and Jeff Aranas - refused to be penetrated. Patriots goalie Greg Golovan needed to make only 3 saves.

"They were good," Gurson said of Highland Park. "But we wanted this. I don't think anyone deserves this plaque more than us. We've worked really hard and we've had a great season."