North Stars' postseason magic continues vs. Conant

By Mike Garofola

Photo courtesy of Sue Figura

Eric Willson doesn't really know why his soccer club rises to the occasion when the post-season begins each year, but the St. Charles North head coach isn't going to take a lot of time trying to figure it out.

For the second time in as many seasons, the North Stars (11-10-3) bumped off the top seed to capture the big trophy, and more importantly, booked itself into the sectional semi-finals next Tuesday afternoon against Wheaton North at sectional host Hoffman Estates High School.

The North Stars’ James Reed stunned the Conant faithful with a goal in the 74th minute to break a 1-1 match, and then would help his club hold on to defeat the Cougars 2-1 to win its 6th consecutive regional championship.

"I have no idea what our success in the post-season means, maybe it's some sort of magic or something," joked Willson, who had to be wondering if the North Stars’ good fortune might be in danger after his club started fast, faded and fell behind, then fired back with 2 goals after the break to end the season of a Cougars club which performed well above pre-season expectations.

The North Stars would complete its comeback after surviving an early deficit, and frantic, high speed action which was filled with plenty of surprises, including a handful from the officiating crew which struggled at times when the pace picked up.

"Yeah, there was a little bit of everything tonight, including a PK (on us) which I felt was deserved, and a hand-ball missed in the box which was obvious to everyone here but the center official," said Conant head coach Jason Franco.

"He (referee) said he didn't see it, and it is pretty hard to argue when he made that statement."

"But St. Charles is a very good club, and I don't want to take anything away from their win tonight, because they did what they do so well at this time of the season, and that's find a way to win."

Cougars leading scorer Kevin Reddington's run from the left side and deep into the far corner led to the opening goal when his left-footed smash reacted badly for the North Stars as it skipped off a defender- then up and over keeper Zach Hosler at 23 minutes.

"Reddington is one heckuva attacking player, and we had our hands full with him, but Zach Matuszak did a great job all throughout keeping him under control for us," offered Willson.

Angelo Catalano would convert his spot-kick when awarded a PK after Tyler Davis found his teammate in the box from the right side to level things at 49 minutes.

The Cougars' faithful would howl in disbelief on what appeared to be a handball in the box from a North Stars defender, and it was this non-call that perked up both sides for the final 18 minutes to produce express lane speed until the very end, testing the mettle of both backlines and the anxiety level of the brave souls on hand on this cold night.

Reed had to be reminded, in jest, by mate Dan Figura how the game-winning sequence began as he stood alongside the North Stars’ hero, but the senior striker had no trouble in describing how his strike found its way into the back of the net.

"I really don't know who or where the ball came from, but when it did, I just stepped back a (little) and hit it low and fast - through a crowd and just inside the near post," recounted Reed.

"We kept our heads up, even when we got down, because we know this team is capable of so much during this part of the season, so there's a lot of confidence all around the team," Figura would add.

2009 Schedule
Click on links for stories

Postseason play