While Hinckley-Big Rock coach Larry Peppers reveled in his 400th career victory Saturday in Earlville, St. Charles coach Paul Keenan lamented his team’s second loss since 1994 to another Wisconsin team.
St. Charles, which had its 63-game unbeaten streak snapped last month by Milwaukee Marquette, lost 3-2 to the defending public school champion of America’s Dairyland–Brookfield East–in the second day of a round robin held by the Saints and St. Viator.
“I think I’m going to be fired,” Keenan said with a laugh. “We’re not supposed to lose at St. Charles.”
The top-ranked Saints (15-2-1) lost in Arlington Heights’ Forest View Stadium without three starters: Mike Murphy, Kevin Brady and goalkeeper Steve Erd. Murphy was visiting Duke University, Brady sat out because of a red card in Friday’s victory over Quincy Notre Dame, and Erd was benched after missing the team breakfast.
But Keenan didn’t dwell on the players who missed the action. He said his team “dominated the game, but (Brookfield) had three or four shots and scored on them.”
Brookfield (12-5-2) took a 1-0 lead 24 minutes into the game on John McGrady’s goal, but the Saints tied the score on Derek Shanahan’s free kick. Brookfield went up 2-1 just before the half ended on Brett Wiesner’s tally.
In the second half, St. Charles missed a penalty kick before tying the game on Jason Lindgren’s header off of a cross by Paul Vogel, but Brookfield’s McGrady scored the game-winner on goalkeeper Corey Harris with 2 minutes left.
As Keenan ponders how his team will bounce back, and he’s confident the Saints will, Hinckley-Big Rock’s Peppers can reflect on 22 years of coaching that brought him a milestone victory in the Little 10 tournament.
The Royals (15-4) upended Serena 4-1 in the third-place game (Earlville beat Malta 2-1 for the title) behind Justin Stiles’ 33rd and 34th goals of the season and Joe Acksel’s two goals.
“I think more of the program than of myself,” said Peppers, who has a record of 400-110-29 and led his team to the state semifinals in 1979. “You remember the milestones the program has accomplished, and you’re happy to be a part of that.”
Waubonsie Valley 2, Naperville North 1: Waubonsie Valley (11-3-2) led 2-0 in the second half en route to knocking off No. 2 Naperville North (14-4-2). Michael Bock scored in the first half and assisted on Jeff Klitzke’s second-half goal to lead the Warriors. Kevin Wickart scored for Naperville North with 21:23 left.
Wheaton North 1, Downers Grove South 0: Junior Vega’s goal early in the second half made the difference for No. 3 Wheaton North (15-1-1).
Sandburg 1, Hinsdale Central 0: Tim Regan scored the lone goal with 18 seconds left in regulation to lift the eighth-ranked Eagles (14-4-1), and Brian Brennan made 10 saves.
Holy Cross 0, Benet 0: John Signa made 16 saves to preserve the tie for Holy Cross (16-2-2, 4-2-1) against No. 5 Benet (6-0-1 East Suburban Catholic).
Argo 4, Thornwood 1: Ruben Vasquez had a goal and an assist for Argo (13-2-3).
Hersey 5, Rockton Hononegah 2: Mike Hill recorded the hat trick for the Huskies (14-2) to raise his season total to 23 goals.
Joliet 3, Bolingbrook 0: Derek Beckham had two goals and Aaron Aguirre added one for Joliet (14-2-1).
Loyola 10, Bishop McNamara 0: The Ramblers (12-5-4, 7-0-1), who are Catholic League North champions for the second year, got three goals from Dan Isherwood.
Marist 5, St. Patrick 0: In the East Suburban Catholic, Mike Mravca scored three goals for the RedHawks (8-5-1, 4-4).
Providence 4, Gordon Tech 0: Tom Thies scored his 17th and 18th goals for Providence (12-4-3, 6-0-2 Catholic League South).
West Aurora 2, Fenton 0: The Blackhawks (11-4) won as Andre Perry scored and Derrick Perry added his 23rd goal of the season.
West Chicago 4, Elgin 1: Alberto Perez led his team (11-2-2) with a goal and two assists.
