Schaumburg nips St. Charles N. for sectional title

It took more than 80 minutes to decide the winner of the Class 3A Bartlett boys soccer sectional at Millennium Field in Streamwood Saturday.

The Schaumburg Saxons (16-4-1) defeated the St. Charles North North Stars 2-1 in overtime in the sectional championship game, and advanced to play Warren in the Barrington supersectional at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Warren upset defending state champion Rockford Boylan Friday night to win the Barrington sectional.

The lone goal in the first half of Saturday’s game came from St. Charles North midfielder Connor Leflestein on a header after a free kick from Alex Behm in the second minute of play.

Schaumburg’s Jake Savino put the Saxons on the board midway through the second half with a goal on a breakaway to tie the game at 1 and the score would remain that way through regulation.

“I told (the Saxons) at halftime that if we get even, we‘re going to win this game,” said Schaumburg head coach Hamid Mehreioskouei. “We feel confident going into overtime.”

St. Charles North midfielder Tyler Davis had a chance to win the game for the North Stars (15-7-2) in overtime, but his free kick shot would hit the crossbar.

Savino found the ball a few minutes later on a long throw-in from teammate Nick Abel, and drilled in the game-winning overtime goal on a header, securing the Saxons’ sectional championship.

It was a disappointing loss for St. Charles North senior captain Mike Winhoffer.

“It’s been a good experience, a good four years,” said Winhoffer. “I think we should have (advanced), but it doesn’t always fall through like we want it to.”