Barrington finds way to get it done

Barrington's 3-0 victory over Libertyville on Monday night firmly put to rest the ghosts of the past four years of frustration.

The Broncos (22-2) earned a berth in today's Class AA boys soccer Elite Eight at North Central College in Naperville, where they play Collinsville (15-9-1) at 4 p.m.

In 2003, one year after bringing home a third-place trophy, the Broncos -- featuring a roster with four eventual Division I players -- were stunned in a regional opener against Buffalo Grove in overtime.

As the No. 2 seed a year later, postseason nemesis and Mid-Suburban West rival Fremd sent the Broncos home early in a shootout. The Vikings did the same thing in 2005, in a sectional semifinal in regulation.

Last year the Broncos earned the top seed again but fell to MSL champ Hersey in the regional final.

Four empty years, 70-plus victories.

In 2007, the Broncos finally held their No. 1 seed and did so in captivating style with exciting overtime victories in the sectionals before a convincing win over Libertyville.

"There's just something different about this team compared to those others," said Barrington coach Scott Steib, whose Broncos set a school record for victories. "Maybe it was a little bit of bad luck, or whatever happens when you have a terrific bunch of players, yet don't advance into the state tournament, but this group of guys always seem to find a way to get it done."

Steib figures the 2007 Broncos have learned from history.

"Lessons from the past usually help in the future," said Steib, who believes that although only Francesco Furio and Cameron Reilly have been around since 2004, no one on the roster is suffering from short-term memory loss. "This group is close and as together as any that I've had, and they all realize the opportunity presented to them may allow bigger and better things to happen.

"So I do not think any of them are taking anything for granted."

Steib cited a perfect example.

Jack Deroche and Tom Unak have shared starts equally as the Broncos' keepers. They have been superb nearly each time out, with Deroche recording 6½ shutouts and Unak 7½, his last Monday.

As Steib sees it, both keepers have every right to feel deserving of being named the full-time starter, and he wouldn't have been upset or surprised if either voiced that opinion.

Not the case.

"Those two guys support each other 100 percent of the time and pull for the other to do well," Steib said. "It's that type of stuff that makes this team so special."

Collinsville entered the state tournament 10-9-2 but advanced out of the rugged Granite City sectional after beating Springfield Sacred Heart-Griffin 2-1 in 3 overtimes.

"It's been a long season for this team," said Collinsville coach Chris Digirolamo. "We play a tough schedule (including Midwest powers Chaminade and Vianney and 2007 Class A state champ Waterloo Gibault), and we lost our starting keeper to a broken arm and later our sweeper (Matt Langley), who developed a staph infection that nearly killed him."

Langley recently returned and scored the equalizer Monday.

"We're proud of these guys, but we also know we'll have to do everything we can to give Barrington a very good match," Digirolamo said.

Collinsville, whose last state appearance was in 1996, is led by all-state senior striker Jordan Dellamano (team-high 17 goals).

"We've talked to a few coaches who are familiar with Collinsville and found out some things about them, and I can tell you not a single player is going to take them lightly despite their 9 losses this season," Steib said.

Other matches

Rockford Boylan (23-3) vs. Lemont (22-3-1), 11 a.m.: Rocco Taglia and Derek Bristol have combined for 31 goals in Boylan's seventh Elite Eight trip in 10 years. Lemont makes its first Elite Eight trip, with Krystain Ustupski, Kyle Spoo and Mark Jasso combining for 51 goals.

Champaign Centennial (21-2-3) vs. Neuqua Valley (22-1-4), 1 p.m.: Neuqua Valley, has been at or near the top of state polls all season, and justly so with all-state caliber midfielder Bryan Gaul and striker Bret Hruby (22 goals, 6 assists).

Jonathan Hinds (22 goals) leads Centennial to its first Elite Eight trip.

New Trier (21-2-1) vs. Hinsdale Central (19-6-1), 7 p.m.:ŒThe defending champion Trevians, picked by many to cruise to another state title, mashed the competition during the post-season. The potential all-state trio of Mark Roos, Evan Bartzis and Jarrett Kerr outscored five opponents by a combined score of 39-0 to make a mockery of what was likely the easiest of all sectionals in the state.

But 1 of their losses was to Hinsdale Central and all-state candidates in defender David Tiemstra and Wisconsin-Milwaukee bound keeper John Shakon (14 shutouts).