New Trier’s Sean Foreman scored only twice this season, but it was the goal that didn’t require a shot he will remember forever.
A low scoring total was expected with a move from offense to defense, but the switch allowed him and his teammates to achieve a dream.
“I guess I was being a little selfish [in the past] when I wanted to be an offensive player,” Foreman said. “The move to sweeper was what the team needed me to do. I wanted to win and the way we were going to win was with me sweeping and holding the defense down and let everyone else do their job.”
And win Foreman and the Trevians did, all the way up to and including Class AA championship game, a 1-0 thriller over Warren on Saturday.
For his strength, will, technical skill and leadership on the field, Foreman joins 10 others on the Tribune’s boys soccer All-State first team.
The move to sweeper worked to such perfection that it still stuns Foreman. The Trevians (21-4) won their first championship as a combined campus. New Trier West won it in 1974.
“I still don’t believe it really,” he said. “On my club team I’ve been to four state championships and I’ve lost every one of them so I really have never had this sort of feeling before. I guess I’m sort of used to losing, but this year’s different.”
Foreman’s rock solid defense and presence let the talented, but young Trevians excel on the pitch without doubt their net would be defended. The senior, who has received Division I interest from Wisconsin and Dartmouth, set the tone in all phases.
“He’s a really good leader on the field,” said junior defender Jarrett Kerr. “Sean always works hard at practice and encourages everyone else to step up their game more each day. He taught us … what it takes to be a leader.”
Foreman, a four-year letterman and three-year starter for the Trevians, learned a valuable lesson from earlier high school experiences.
“My freshman year team was pretty good, but they were kind of about the individuals,” he said. “This year we had that same talent, but more of a team mentality and that really brought us to that next level.”
The senior finished his career with eight goals and 14 assists, but it’s the score that didn’t cross the goal line that he’ll remember forever.
“With about one minute left in the game I looked at the scoreboard and I thought to myself, `Oh my God, this is actually going to happen,'” Foreman said. “That feeling came over me. It was like a tingling. I looked around and felt the excitement growing in our team. It was amazing.”
SECOND TEAM
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FORWARDS CL SCHOOL
Tyler Crawford Sr. Waterloo Gibault
Brad Horton Jr. Sycamore
MIDFIELDERS
Ephraim Beard Sr. Schaumburg
German Cervantes Sr. Lane
Andrew Duran Sr. Lincoln-Way East
Cesar Nunez Sr. Warren
Paul Tracy Sr. Waubonsie Valley
DEFENDERS
Stefan Antonijevic Sr. Stevenson
Cody Stanley Sr. Mt. Carmel
Tim Zimmer So. Naperville Central
GOALKEEPER
Chris Nemeth Sr. Warren
SPECIAL MENTION
FORWARDS CL SCHOOL
Mike Arocha Sr. Bishop McNamara
Josh Boemecke Sr. O’Fallon
Brian Collins Sr. Hinsdale Central
Art Dinverno Sr. Maine South
Matt Eliason Sr. Glenbard East
David Martinez Jr. Mt. Carmel
Brett McKenzie Sr. Antioch
Aaron Nichols Sr. Marian Central
Cosimo Patano Sr. Leyden
Nolan Sandberg Sr. Grayslake Central
Eric Shrigley Jr. Wheaton South
MIDFIELDERS
Ben Chavers Sr. Warren
Andy Filipiak Jr. Geneva
Phil Galounis So. Lincoln-Way Central
Jack Hillgard Sr. Benet
Kevin Hinds Sr. Charleston
Greg Maggio Sr. Wheaton South
Eric Marofske Jr. Conant
Lukasz Masolak Sr. Downers South
Luis Mojica Sr. St. Charles East
Leo Tovar Jr. Morton
DEFENDERS
Peter Bielecki Sr. Lane
Sean Dunleavy Sr. Lockport
Jon Harris Jr. St. Viator
Kris Linney Sr. New Trier
Erik Nothold Sr. Quincy
Pete Ottolini Sr. Waterloo Gibault
Alex Russell Sr. St. Charles North
GOALKEEPERS
Randall Babb Jr. Wheaton South
Tim Dickman Sr. Herscher
Andy Ryan Sr. Rolling Meadows
John Valenta Sr. Lyons
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dsurico@tribune.com
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