Wheaton Warrenville South has a thirst for the Pepsi Showdown final.
The two-time champions advanced to their third title match in the tournament’s four-year history with a 1-0 victory over Sandburg on Saturday at Lyons Township Soccer Complex in LaGrange.
Six-foot-six-inch goalkeeper Randall Babb earned his fourth shutout of the season for the ninth-ranked Tigers (8-2-1).
“It was extremely well-fought,” Babb said. “Eric [Shrigley] put a nice goal in toward the end of the first half and the second half was really spirited. It was a great win.”
Shrigley scored his 11th goal in the 33rd minute.
Sandburg (5-4) came up short in the rematch of the 2005 Showdown final.
“I think our boys played hard. We just didn’t put away opportunities,” co-captain Ross Tanzer said. “We would have liked to play at Toyota [Park], but we can hold our heads up high.”
Lincoln-Way Central will meet Wheaton Warrenville South in the championship game. The Knights (10-1-1) defeated 2006 champion and Class AA state runner-up Warren 5-1.
“When we have some chemistry, we just get going,” said Lincoln-Way Central’s Tim Garland, who scored two goals for the winners. “There’s not much that can stop us right now. We’re on a huge scoring streak.
“Everybody is working together. It’s not even just the starters. You can’t really ask for much more with us.”
The championship is tentatively scheduled for 4:30 p.m. Saturday at Toyota Park and follows the 2:30 p.m. Fire match vs. D.C. United.
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dsurico@tribune.com
