Aurora Central Catholic wins regional title

The Aurora Central Catholic boys soccer team finally has a plaque to put on the wall.

David Petesch scored the game’s only goal Saturday as the Chargers beat St. Edward, 1-0, to win the Class 1A St. Edward regional championship at Greg True Field.

“It’s crazy. None of us have won a regional game before,” said Petesch, a senior. “It’s a pretty big deal. It’s a great moment.”

ACC (9-11) advances to the Genoa-Kingston sectional where it will play either the host Cogs or Cristo Rey St. Martin from Waukegan in the semifinals at 4:15 p.m. Wednesday.

“I have been telling them all week that they could go down as the first team and this is your time,” said Chargers coach Eric Cournaya, who said the program has been around for about 10 years. “I’m proud of them.”

The second-seeded Chargers were given a free kick about 40 yards from the Green Wave goal late in the first half. Victor Franco took the free kick and put a curling ball into the St. Edward penalty area. Petesch was able to get his chest and shoulder on the ball and guided the ball into the net for a 1-0 ACC lead with 3:52 remaining in the first half.

Both teams had several other chances, but could not put one away.

The top-seeded Green Wave (9-12-2) had two excellent chances in the first half. Joe French was alone about 8 yards out off a free kick, but his shot was right at ACC goalkeeper Andy Czerak with just under 18 minutes remaining in the half. With 20 seconds left, Czerak made a diving save on a French shot that was headed for the far post. The rebound went to Alex Semler, who missed wide left.

Matt Hesch had a great chance with 13½ minutes remaining in the second half, but his shot was blocked by an ACC defender.

“We had two in the first (half), a couple in the second right on the doorstep,” St. Edward coach Tim Brieger said. “Some days the ball just doesn’t go in.”

Czerak made 6 saves for the shutout. Green Wave goalkeeper John Gotheridge finished with 7 saves to keep St. Edward in the game.