Boys soccer: Crystal Lake South falls in 2A state title game; Glenbard South finishes 4th
Crystal Lake South gave everything, but it wasn't enough Saturday night at Swanson Stadium as the Gators suffered a heartbreaking 1-0 loss to Peoria Notre Dame in the Class 2A state championship final at Rockford Guilford High School.
The Irish (22-1-3) dashed the hopes of Brian Allen's team of a third state title when a Cal Byrkit goal in the 66th minute proved enough to earn the first win in three tries over the Gators (18-6-2) in state championship play.
"We were willing to allow them all of the possession and just weather the storm in the first half while we played for the counter, and I really feel it worked," said Allen, who led the Gators to a pair of state titles over the Irish in 2018 and 2023.
"We opened things up after the break, and created a few quality chances, but you've got to put the chances on frame to give yourself a chance.
"This team is a very special group with 15 seniors that we will somehow have to find a way to replace them. But the effort, energy and heart they played with is all that you can ask for against a very good opponent."
The Gators’ all-state keeper Noah Dunteman once again was superb, but the senior had no chance on the game winner when Mateo Teran — after a terrific ball sent into the mix by Johnny Navetta — kept things alive long enough to allow Byrkit to score the game-winner off the bar.
The Irish took one off the line moments later. Ethan Nawracaj headed over and Jonathan Washington went wide before Nawracaj just missed over the bar with the Gators pushing forward looking for the equalizer.
Earlier in the day, Glenbard South (14-11-2) fell short in its bid to bring home a third-place state trophy when they dropped a 1-0 contest to Washington.
"This team came to its first state tournament and showed it belonged here by playing Peoria Notre Dame even in our semifinal loss yesterday. Then we came back to give a great showing against another very good team," said Raiders coach Mike Filipiak.
"We have everything to be proud this weekend, and this year, and all of us will have a lot of great memories to take with us," added Raiders keeper Emmett Foster-Simbulan, who turned in a magnificent two games to help keep his teammates in both games.
Washington (23-2-2) finished second a year ago in its first state appearance.