Boys soccer: Elgin wins 1st regional championship
In 16 years as Elgin High School boys soccer coach, Dave Borg's Maroons have lost in the regional finals 6 times including a heartbreaking setback last year to Hampshire in penalty kicks.
The suffering is over. The elusive regional plaque in now in the hands of the Maroons.
The top-seeded Maroons moved to 16-1-3 on the season with a 2-0 win over upset-minded and ninth-seeded Rockford East to claim the 3A Huntley regional title Saturday morning.
It is the program's first regional crown.
Elgin advances to play Crystal Lake Central at the Hampshire sectional at 5 p.m. Wednesday.
The Tigers defeated host DeKalb 1-0 in the regional finale.
"We were heavily favored to win the regional last season and dropped the ball," said Borg. "Since that loss all the kids have talked about was getting back to the regional finals and winning the regional. It is an amazing feeling especially since this is a great group of kids."
Missing some golden opportunities to score in the first half, Elgin finally got on the scoreboard on a rebound goal by Rafael Perez Jr. with 3:33 remaining in the first half.
Outshooting the E-Rabs 15-8, the Maroons scored an insurance goal by Omar Lopez off a pass from Perez with 3:04 remaining.
"After Omar's goal I could relax a little," said Borg. "There is a big difference between a one goal and a two-goal lead. We had some good opportunities but we hit the post a couple of times."
Lopez realizes the importance of the Maroons' first regional title.
"The loss in the regional finals last season has really stayed with us all year round,' said the Elgin senior forward. "We wanted another shot at winning the regional. This is an amazing feeling. We feel confident going into the sectionals and our goal is to make it to state (finals).
With 8 saves, Elgin senior goalkeeper Martin Jimenez registered his best save of the game with 4:01 remaining.
Rockford East's Adan Flores blasted a shot on goal from 10 yards out and Jimenez was able to dive and keep the ball out of the nets.
"My job is to do whatever I have to do to keep the ball out of the goal," said Jimenez.
"In a game of this importance I have to be at my best. This regional championship is monumental for this program."
Borg values Jimenez's effort between the pipes.
"Martin is rock solid," said Borg. "He is so calm and always makes the great save."
Rockford East goalkeeper Francisco Zaragoza kept the E-Rabs within striking distance with 13 saves.
"The Rockford (East) keeper was outstanding," said Borg. "We had some great shots on goal that are usually goals. He kept the game close."