Scouting the Class 2A Barrington supersectional
Burlington Central (19-4-3) vs. Lakes (11-9-5)
When: Today, 5 p.m.
Where: Barrington Community Stadium, Barrington High School
How they got there: Burlington Central won its own regional by beating IMSA 8-2 and Marmion 1-0, then captured the Belvidere sectional title with wins of 2-0 over Freeport and 1-0 over Sterling. Lakes advanced out of its own regional with wins of 2-0 over Grayslake North and 3-2 over Wauconda, then beat Hampshire 4-0 and Fenton 2-1 in overtime to win its own sectional.
Advancement: Tonight's winner will advance to the Class 2A Final Four at North Central College in Naperville and play at 11 a.m. Friday against the winner of the Lisle supersectional match between Ridgewood and Glenbard South.
Uncharted territory: Both teams in the opener of tonight's supersectional doubleheader (Boylan plays Leyden in the 3A match) hit Barrington's pitch as newbies to an Elite Eight match in boys soccer. Lakes advanced to a sectional final two years ago and won a regional again last year; Burlington Central had never won a regional title until this season. “It's been amazing,” said sixth-year Rockets' coach Mike Gecan. “Everybody's having a ball. This is why I do it. I'm a competitor and I think everyone in coaching is in it for the competition. This is the first time it's happened to me. The years that you're not .500, the years that you don't do as well in the postseason, this all makes up for it. We're floating on air right now and hopefully we can keep it going. We're enjoying the ride.”
The line on Burlington Central: The Rockets, having their best season ever, can join with the volleyball and softball programs as a Final Four team if they can clear the final hurdle to Naperville. Central has manufactured this ride by controlling the ball and by playing great defense with a hot goalkeeper. In fact, Gecan believes being hot at the right time is the major factor in his team's success. “With this team there's not a lot of individuals and there's no one bigger than the team,” Gecan said. “Different players have been hot at different times. When someone isn't hot, someone else has to step it up and they've all done that. We're down four starters right now and the bench is just coming in and getting the job done.” That includes sophomore Brad Herron, who played all season on the JV team and is now starting in an Elite Eight game. The Rockets have also had the hot hand in goal with junior Riley Jensen, who hasn't allowed a ball past him in three straight games. “He's just exploded in the postseason,” Gecan said. For the season, junior Chris Gousios leads the team in goals with 19, while Alexis Camarena and Erick Uribe have 13 each. Uribe's goal was the lone score in the sectional final win. Seniors Kyle Reopelle and Alejandro Nava each have 9 goals while Uribe has 9 assists and Camarena 8.
The line on Lakes: “They're very comparable to a Marmion,” Gecan said. “We playing a level nine right now and so are they. They're really strong up top and there's a reason they are where they are.” Jonathan Stanley has scored 7 goals in 4 postseason games for the Eagles, who have hit the back of the net 11 times in the postseason. Stanley leads the team with 17 goals for the season. Lakes has played a Class 3A-heavy schedule and this boys soccer team is looking to become the school's first state final qualifier in any team sport since the doors opened 6 years ago. A tough defense is led by Nathan McMahon.
Could be back: Injured Rockets Bruce Warner and Grant Stoneman could return to action tonight, Gecan said. But the coach also said he'd stay with the starting lineup the Rockets used to win the sectional.
The 12th man: That's what Gecan calls Burlington Central's fans, who have come out in droves to support the Rockets. “They are there by the hundreds,” said Gecan. “The fans have been unbelievable. After we won the sectional, the lined up two deep and made a tunnel to the bus for the boys. It's insane, and the support they've been giving the boys has really been fueling the guys. Without them we wouldn't have that little extra energy we need. They've definitely been like a 12th man for us.
Bottom line: “It will be the team that wants it more,” Gecan said. “If my boys step up and want it more, it's there for them to win.”