Boys soccer: Crystal Lake South brings home 2A state title
These are the moments Crystal Lake South will cherish and never forget.
The Gators gave everything, and when all was said and done, they had in possession the 2A state championship trophy and a night that will go straight in at No. 1 in their greatest triumphs of all-time.
Brian Allen's team won the state title for the first time in their history in a dramatic penalty shootout Saturday over nationally ranked Peoria Notre Dame at Garber Stadium in Hoffman Estates.
The 4-1 advantage in kicks gave the Gators (22-2-3) a 4-3 victory, the second shootout win in as many days, and one in which Oscar Estrada provided the heroics by saving two kicks, while his mates were a perfect four-for-four.
"Oscar was the man. (He's) been amazing in the playoffs for us," said an exhausted but proud Allen, who watched Estrada save a sudden death spot-kick on Friday night against Waterloo Gibault to advance the Gators into the final with Peoria Notre Dame (23-3-0) - ranked the No. 8 team in the nation in the latest TopDrawer Soccer.com polls.
"There were so many who did so much today," Allen said. "(I) couldn't begin to list any of them right now because I am so overwhelmed with joy and happiness - but it was a great game, a great effort and great win for the school, program and community."
Estrada, who rescued his mates in the Gators' regional final with Wauconda in much the same way, was called into action when penalties arrived, taking over for starter Matt McCaleb, who himself enjoyed a sensational day between the sticks for Allen.
"I really look forward to coming out and helping my teammates, it was great last night when we beat Waterloo in shootout, and it felt even better today because we won the state championship," said Estrada.
Long before the senior captivated the big crowd, both clubs provided plenty of thrills with 100 minutes of pulsating soccer - including six goals in regulation, some brilliant work from both keepers, and two exciting ten-minute extra sessions.
"We came out very strong today, but we kind of got caught up (with) the direct, physical style played by South - who was well coached, organized, and played hard all day long," said Peoria Notre Dame coach Mike Bare, who himself was after his fourth state title since taking over 12 years ago.
"We were in trouble late, but this team has a lot of heart and fight in them, so when we got it to overtime, I thought the momentum we gained from that late equalizer might get us another goal in overtime.
"But once you go to kicks, you never know what will happen."
The Irish struck first in the 21st minute, but South responded almost immediately when Andrew Edge converted his 23rd minute PK.
Ty Getzinger scored the first of two dead-ball goals in the 34th minute to give the Gators a 2-1 advantage at the break, until McKay Hood brought the Irish back even at 50 minutes.
Alex Canfield sent the Gators faithful into orbit with his 31st of the season when he flashed his header into the net after a Ryan Coughlin corner got things started.
However, when Myles Sophanavong unloaded a dipping 40-yard cracker that rebounded off McCaleb, and spilled directly to an opportunistic Declan Dillon two minutes from time - it insured the fifth overtime contest in the tournament thus far.
"We never panicked or hung our heads when they got back even late in the game - so I knew we were in good shape the rest of the way, and that we would put ourselves in position to win," said Jack Wruck, a key figure in the Gators midfield all day long.
The two ten-minute extra sessions were wide open, with the aforementioned McCaleb saving the day (twice) - and Canfield missing just wide.
Once in kicks, Coughlin, Getzinger and Nick Langdon each buried their spot-kicks with precision and confidence, while Estrada guessed correctly on the second and third kicks to make it 3-1.
When Wruck smashed his low attempt into the lower right corner, all of the Gators players raced to both Wruck and Estrada to begin a long celebration - which ended with South lifting the trophy with a triumphant cheer heard all the way back to Crystal Lake.
"To say we're the state champs is amazing - but it's all kind of surreal right now," said Coughlin, before joining his mates who presented the big trophy to their loyal fans to enjoy.