Repeat Titan title for Wheeling

A state finalist and runner-up last year in Class 3A, Wheeling's boys soccer team has started the new season with similarly lofty results - including a second straight championship in the 29th annual Titan Invitational at Glenbrook South in Glenview on Saturday.

Wheeling got second-half goals from Jose Garcia and Nick Janulis to get past Schurz 3-2 on Saturday afternoon.

"It's great to be two-time champs," Wheeling coach Ed Uhrik said. "It's nice to get up here and stay up here for two years in a row. Last year when we won this, it gave us the confidence. This year, the jury is still out. It was difficult, but we were able to persevere. We got goals at the important times."

The Wildcats (2-0-3) found a way to recover from a 2-1 deficit at halftime to pull out the 1-goal victory over Schurz (2-2-1).

Janulis scored the game-winning goal in the 60th minute on a header near the back post off a cross from Fernie Martinez.

"The rest of my teammates did a great job and gave me the opportunity to get the goal," said Janulis of his goal. "We have no chance to be in the game if my teammates didn't score the first two goals. I just saw a open goal, and the ball in the air. I saw the goalie trip up a little. I knew it was my ball. I decided I would get up there before anybody did. I got it with my head."

Garcia tied the match at 2-2 three minutes earlier with a half-volley near the top of the box. Joshua Prindle scored the Wildcats' goal in the first half.

Schurz got its goals from Oscar Lara and Oscar Gonzalez.

Wheeling opened the season against quality teams and will have another tough test in the upcoming New Trier tournament.

"We have a busy two weeks," Uhrik said. "The idea was that we would have an idea where we are at before we open conference play."

Wheeling also played Niles North to a scoreless draw Saturday morning.