Glenbrook South’s Emmett Kessler falls over the top of South Elgin’s Maximus Fowler in the IHSA Class 3A Barrington boys soccer supersectional game Tuesday in Barrington. (John Starks/Daily Herald)
Glenbrook South ended a 20-year wait for a state trophy when goals on either side of the half were enough to beat South Elgin 2-1 in the Class 3A Barrington supersectional on Tuesday.
The Titans (20-4-1) advance into Friday’s state semifinals to face East Aurora, which will make its first state appearance after a 2-0 win over O'Fallon.
“We felt really good coming into this game tonight,” said South Elgin coach Jerzy Skowron. “We felt we matched up really well with Glenbrook South, but unfortunately a quality team will punish you for your mistakes, and the two that we made would prove the difference in this game.”
“We let down a little at the start,” said Storm captain Roman Ruiz, “and they made us pay for it. But this team has so much heart, and we fought hard all season long, so I always thought we were in this game right up until the very end.”
The Titans bagged the opener in the 10th minute when Ryan Prado curled in his left-footed corner into the far inside netting.
On a windy, sometimes rainy evening, the Storm (19-4-4), after its tepid start, finally got on its front foot. The Titans well aware of all-state forward Pelon Munoz (32 goals) and kept his touches to a minimum during the opening half.
The Titans doubled their advantage in the 53rd minute on a finish from Alex Onysenko, then weathered an attack from the Storm until conceding a Santiago Lomperski goal four minutes from time.
The Storm outscored opponents 41-6 during a 16-0-2 unbeaten streak ahead of Tuesday’s match, earning their first Upstate Eight Conference crown.
“It wasn't too long ago that the South Elgin program was struggling, now we have become the hunted after two great back-to-back seasons,” Skowron said.
South Elgin’s Carlos Garcia stops the ball in the IHSA Class 3A Barrington boys soccer supersectional game against Glenbrook South on Tuesday in Barrington. (John Starks/Daily Herald)
South Elgin’s Maximus Fowler battles for the ball with Glenbrook South’s Henry Stephan, left, in the IHSA Class 3A Barrington boys soccer supersectional game Tuesday in Barrington. (John Starks/Daily Herald)
South Elgin’s Pelon Munoz, left, and Glenbrook South’s Tucker Bowhall collide as they fight for the ball in the IHSA Class 3A Barrington boys soccer supersectional game Tuesday in Barrington. (John Starks/Daily Herald)
South Elgin’s Roman Ruiz (8) takes a shot as Glenbrook South’s Denis Saczala tries to block it in the IHSA Class 3A Barrington boys soccer supersectional game Tuesday in Barrington. (John Starks/Daily Herald)
South Elgin’s Julian Torrez tries to get through the Glenbrook South defense in the rain in the IHSA Class 3A Barrington boys soccer supersectional game Tuesday in Barrington. (John Starks/Daily Herald)
South Elgin’s Maximus Fowler battles for the ball with Glenbrook South’s Henry Stephan, left, in the IHSA Class 3A Barrington boys soccer supersectional game Tuesday in Barrington. (John Starks/Daily Herald)
Glenbrook South’s Henry Stephan (7) and South Elgin’s Jayden Robelo (4) collide in the IHSA Class 3A Barrington boys soccer supersectional game Tuesday in Barrington. (John Starks/Daily Herald)
South Elgin’s Momo Gonzalez, right, battles in front of the net with Glenbrook South’s Omar Rivera in the IHSA Class 3A Barrington boys soccer supersectional game Tuesday in Barrington. (John Starks/Daily Herald)
South Elgin’s Carlos Garcia sets up a play against Glenbrook South in the IHSA Class 3A Barrington boys soccer supersectional game Tuesday in Barrington. (John Starks/Daily Herald)