Walsh saves state trip for Warren

Many saves have landed in the sure hands of Warren goalkeeper Brady Walsh during his four seasons of high school soccer.

But none was bigger than the one Walsh made to secure a trip to the state tournament.

Walsh stopped a point-blank header by Schaumburg’s Drew Simon off Nick Abel’s free kick in the 68th minute to preserve a 1-goal Blue Devils’ lead.

“I thought I could do better staying on my line,” said Walsh, who made 9 saves. “(Simon) headed it and I got down and made the save.

“This made it the hardest save all year. The game could’ve gone 1-1 and shifted the momentum. You don’t know what might have happened after that.”

What occurred is Warren scored again and went on to beat Schaumburg 2-0 in the Class 3A Barrington supersectional Tuesday night.

The Blue Devils (22-3-1) will return to state after a four-year absence and a runner-up finish in 2007. They will play in Friday’s 7 p.m. semifinal against Morton at Lincoln-Way North in Frankfort.

Morton got past Lincoln-Way East 1-0 in 4 overtimes Tuesday night in the Lisle supersectional.

Warren had one of its biggest wins over defending 3A state champion Rockford Boylan on Friday night and came through once again against Schaumburg (16-5-1).

“We’ve worked hard all year and willed our way to some victories,” Warren coach Jason Ahonen said. “This team would not die.

“I wasn’t worried about a letdown because this was their goal all year. Even though we beat Boylan, it was just another step. We enjoyed the victory and got back to work on Saturday. The focus was on this game to get to Lincoln-Way.”

Walsh’s 7 straight shutouts include all five postseason games.

“I give the defense all the credit I can.” Walsh said. “ I don’t think it’s enough. Without them, we wouldn’t be here at all.”

Daniel Szczepanek was involved in both goals for Warren. Szczepanek launched a 40-yard kick that rose up and over Schaumburg keeper Ben Beard and into the back of the net in the 11th minute for his 20th goal.

Then, Szczepanek assisted on the other goal in the 70th minute, when Ryan Friend scored his third postseason goal and fourth this season.

“Any game is important. By far this was the most important I’ve ever played in,” Szczepanek said. “I do my job up front. But, it’s more the defense because we haven’t been scored upon yet. If (Schaumburg) doesn’t score on us, then we don’t lose that game.”

Credit to the Blue Devils’ defense includes Marquette-bound Patrick Schultz, Alexis Lopez, Billy Eddy, Timmy Pieper and Jeff Kinka.

Schaumburg tried for most of the second half to find the equalizer after giving up the early goal. But the Saxons were stopped on numerous occasions.

“Games like this with two teams competing, it comes down to a mistake,” Schaumburg coach Hamid Mehreioskouei said, “We did make a mistake early. We were pushing for a goal and pushing for a goal.

“I thought we had the run of play in the second half. We applied a lot of pressure. (Warren’s) goal came late to make it 2-0. (Warren) worked their tails off all over the field and (Warren) was dangerous in different spots. I think the better team went forward and I think (Warren) can make a run for (state).”