Naperville Central shuts down Stevenson to advance to 3A soccer title match

  • Naperville Central's Sean O'Reilly waves at the crowd after scoring his second goal in the first half against Stevenson in the Class 3A semifinal game of the boys state soccer tournament in Hoffman Estates on Friday, November, 4, 2022.

      Naperville Central's Sean O'Reilly waves at the crowd after scoring his second goal in the first half against Stevenson in the Class 3A semifinal game of the boys state soccer tournament in Hoffman Estates on Friday, November, 4, 2022. John Starks | Staff Photographer

  • Naperville Central's Carter Bilik and Stevenson's Nazar Mormul (6) compete for control of the ball in the Class 3A semifinal game of the boys state soccer tournament in Hoffman Estates on Friday, November, 4, 2022.

      Naperville Central's Carter Bilik and Stevenson's Nazar Mormul (6) compete for control of the ball in the Class 3A semifinal game of the boys state soccer tournament in Hoffman Estates on Friday, November, 4, 2022. John Starks | Staff Photographer

  • Naperville Central's Sean O'Reilly looks over his shoulder at teammates after scoring the first goal of the game against Stevenson in the Class 3A semifinal game of the boys state soccer tournament in Hoffman Estates on Friday, November, 4, 2022.

      Naperville Central's Sean O'Reilly looks over his shoulder at teammates after scoring the first goal of the game against Stevenson in the Class 3A semifinal game of the boys state soccer tournament in Hoffman Estates on Friday, November, 4, 2022. John Starks | Staff Photographer

  • Stevenson's Daniel Sokolovsky and Naperville Central's Josh Weigel, right, compete in the Class 3A semifinal game of the boys state soccer tournament in Hoffman Estates on Friday, November, 4, 2022.

      Stevenson's Daniel Sokolovsky and Naperville Central's Josh Weigel, right, compete in the Class 3A semifinal game of the boys state soccer tournament in Hoffman Estates on Friday, November, 4, 2022. John Starks | Staff Photographer

  • Naperville Central's Chase Adams, middle, and Stevenson's Steven Nyc and Grayson Lueck, right, battle in the Class 3A semifinal game of the boys state soccer tournament in Hoffman Estates on Friday, November, 4, 2022.

      Naperville Central's Chase Adams, middle, and Stevenson's Steven Nyc and Grayson Lueck, right, battle in the Class 3A semifinal game of the boys state soccer tournament in Hoffman Estates on Friday, November, 4, 2022. John Starks | Staff Photographer

  • Stevenson's Bryant Rouse and Naperville Central's Carter Adams, right, battle for a header in the Class 3A semifinal game of the boys state soccer tournament in Hoffman Estates on Friday, November, 4, 2022.

      Stevenson's Bryant Rouse and Naperville Central's Carter Adams, right, battle for a header in the Class 3A semifinal game of the boys state soccer tournament in Hoffman Estates on Friday, November, 4, 2022. John Starks | Staff Photographer

  • Naperville Central's Sean O'Reilly bicycle kicks the ball against Stevenson in the Class 3A semifinal game of the boys state soccer tournament in Hoffman Estates on Friday, November, 4, 2022.

      Naperville Central's Sean O'Reilly bicycle kicks the ball against Stevenson in the Class 3A semifinal game of the boys state soccer tournament in Hoffman Estates on Friday, November, 4, 2022. John Starks | Staff Photographer

  • Naperville Central's Nathan Kwon battles with Stevenson's Grayson Lueck to get to the ball in the Class 3A semifinal game of the boys state soccer tournament in Hoffman Estates on Friday, November, 4, 2022.

      Naperville Central's Nathan Kwon battles with Stevenson's Grayson Lueck to get to the ball in the Class 3A semifinal game of the boys state soccer tournament in Hoffman Estates on Friday, November, 4, 2022. John Starks | Staff Photographer

  • Stevenson's Nazar Mormul and Naperville Central's Michael Cavalleri compete in the Class 3A semifinal game of the boys state soccer tournament in Hoffman Estates on Friday, November, 4, 2022.

      Stevenson's Nazar Mormul and Naperville Central's Michael Cavalleri compete in the Class 3A semifinal game of the boys state soccer tournament in Hoffman Estates on Friday, November, 4, 2022. John Starks | Staff Photographer

 
By Mike Garofola
Daily Herald Correspondent
Naperville Central will be playing for the state 3A soccer title for the first time since 2011 after its
Updated 11/4/2022 11:10 PM

The Red Hawks simply were too much for the Patriots

"It was a tough start for us, and in the end, a tough night as well," Patriots head coach PepeJon Chavez said.

 

"(Naperville) is an outstanding team -- they possess, defend, and attack equally well, and once we went a man down, it was a little more difficult for us to chase their lead."

The O'Reilly PK came after a hand ball in the box also sent off a Patriots defender, forcing the NSC champs to play a man down for the next 44 minutes.

Joseph LoDuca would extend the Redhawks' advantage just after the break with a clinical angled finish off a lovely helper from Chase Adams.

Nathan Kwon added another to the scoresheet at 46 minutes before O'Reilly ended the scoring 13 minutes from time.

"We just wanted to put the best effort that we could -- knowing a win puts us into the state final, which has been our goal all season long," O'Reilly said.

"Our discipline tonight, especially along the back was outstanding -- that's how you win games at this stage in the season," said Redhawks head coach Troy Adams.

Stevenson (21-1-3) will play reigning state champion York (20-1-3) in the third place game at 6 p.m. Saturday.

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