Lions stun top-ranked Wildcats to earn trip to 3A semifinals

By Curt Herron

No one had been able to defeat Neuqua Valley this season, but after falling twice to it earlier in the year, Lyons Township felt good about its chances on Tuesday.

By employing a game plan in which they allowed the Wildcats to dominate in possession, the Lions hoped that they could capitalize on some opportunity in the second half.

And that's just what happened midway through the final 40 minutes as LT converted on a free kick for the only score in the Class 3A Benedictine University Super-Sectional.

Horacio Sanchez scored on a well-placed header that was set up by a free kick from Zach Pearsall with 20:33 remaining as the Lions upset the Wildcats 1-0 in Lisle.

As a result, coach Paul Labbato's Lions (24-3) won their 13th straight match while coach Tony Kees' Wildcats (28-1) suffered their first defeat in 29 matches.

The Wildcats had beaten the Lions 2-1 in two overtimes in the Pepsi Showdown finals on September 20 and also picked up a 4-0 win over LT on August 29.

Lyons earned its first trip to state since 2005 and assured itself of its first trophy in the sport since the program took fourth in its initial state appearance in 1972.

The Lions advance to Friday's 5:00 p.m. state semifinals against defending state champion New Trier, which beat Lake Forest 2-1 in the Loyola University Super-Sectional.

Meanwhile, Neuqua was denied a third straight state appearance and also the chance to improve upon a second place finish in 2007 and last year's fourth place showing.

Hear Lyons Township's Horacio Sanchez interview

There were few good scoring chances for either squad during the second half before the Lions stunned the crowd with the excellent scoring combination.

LT's Andrew Aviles sent a grounder to keeper Jack Turanchik during the opening minute and Kyle Kurfirst later lined a shot just over the Wildcat net.

In between those attempts, Neuqua's Cale Brown had a shot stopped and Scott Davis tried to put in the rebound with a header but it also was deflected away.

That set the table for the decisive free kick, which Pearsall lined up for about 30 yards away from the Neuqua goal.

The LT senior placed the ball up near the top of the box and Sanchez was able to connect for a shot that sailed into the upper corner.

Hear Lyons Township's Zach Pearsall interview

After it suddenly led 1-0, LT realized all too well that one of the nation's top-ranked teams was going to put up a battle in order to stay alive.

As a response, LT relied on the play of keeper Sully Fox and defenders Billy McGuinness, Dan Wielgos and Peter Kralovec-Kirchherr to maintain the lead.

Patrick Doody began the charge for the Wildcats a short time after the score, getting off a short shot attempt that was halted by Fox.

LT killed off nearly nine minutes before the Wildcats threatened again with just under 10 minutes remaining in the match.

Doody sent in a corner kick that was deflected away by the LT keeper, who then knocked away a free kick from Keegan Balle.

With about five minutes left, Zach Kovacevic directed a unsuccessful header toward Fox that was set up by a throw in from Tom Terlep.

Neuqua had another great chance with just over four minutes to go following a hand ball that was called just beyond the top of the box.

After a conference between the officials ruled out a potential penalty kick, Balle's free kick just sailed over the top of the net.

The drama continued into the final seconds as Balle fired off a free kick from about 50 yards out that Fox deflected away to preserve the win.

It was the 18th shutout of the season recorded by LT and marked only the second time that Neuqua had failed to score in regulation play.

A victory celebration ensued as the Lions stormed one side of the field while Wildcat players lay in stunned disbelief on the other end.

Hear Lyons Township's Billy McGuinness interview

While LT had some scoring chances at the start of the match, Neuqua controlled the play and had more opportunities as the first half went along.

Early Lyons attempts by Elliot Borge and Chris Meingast both went wide before Borge had a shot deflected away about 13 minutes into the match.

At the same time, LT suffered a big blow when Brian Heimerdinger got injured and wound up leaving the field for the remainder of the evening.

A few minutes later, Borge was stopped on a header by Turanchik that followed a throw in from Kralovec-Kirchherr.

Hear Lyons Township's Chris Meingast interview

Shortly before the midway point of the first half, Doody had an open net opportunity but he got off an attempt that sailed just high.

Davis followed with a grounder and a few minutes later the Wildcats had a sequence where Fox deflected a shot and stopped the rebound from Will Butler.

Neuqua kept the pressure up during the final minutes of the opening half as Doody sent a liner to Fox with just over six minutes left.

A short time later, Bryan Ciesiulka got off another short attempt for the Wildcats, but that shot was deflected away by Sanchez.

Hear Lyons Township coach Paul Labbato interview

Needless to say, the loss was a heartbreaking one for a Neuqua squad that had been viewed as the favorite to win the state championship all season.

After surviving 2-1 sectional victories over both Wheaton Warrenville South and Naperville Central, the Wildcats expected more of the same against LT.

Even though things ended a few days earlier than they hoped, Kees was proud of what his squad was able to accomplish during their special season.

Hear Neuqua Valley coach Tony Kees interview

Lions starters vs. Wildcats

Wildcats starters vs. Lions

Lions 1, Wildcats 0

Lions Schedule

Postseason play