It was going to take more than four stitches to keep New Trier’s Kyle McCrudden off the field for his team’s Class 3A state championship soccer match earlier this month.
The nasty first-half collision the senior midfielder absorbed above his eye in the Trevians’ 4-0 semifinal victory over Neuqua Valley the previous night forced a trip to the hospital afterward but sidelined him for only a few minutes.
His quick return certainly demonstrated his toughness, but those who know him would point to another reason for McCrudden to hurry back into action.
“It was a brutal hit, but I couldn’t wait to get back out there,” he said. “I didn’t want to let down my team. They needed me.
“A majority of our seniors have been playing together for at least seven or eight years, and we’ve been able to work into a pretty nice groove. It’s a special group.”
The semifinal victory, aided by two second-half goals from a patched-up McCrudden, preceded the Trevians’ 2-1 win over Edwardsville for the program’s second state crown in three years. That capped a remarkable postseason run in which New Trier outscored its seven playoff opponents 31-2.
It also ended McCrudden’s prolific career, which featured 17 goals in 2008 and includes a spot on the Tribune All-State Boys Soccer Team.
The 6-foot-2-inch McCrudden’s unique blend of size and skill was instrumental in the Trevians’ success, which included a state quarterfinal berth in 2007. What he does best — seeing the entire field and visualizing two or three passes ahead — can’t be taught.
The Wisconsin-bound McCrudden credits his 6-4 father, Dan — who played briefly with the Chicago Sting after his college career at Rhode Island — with helping him utilize the physical edge. And despite outmuscling high school opponents, McCrudden knows he’ll have to bulk up to become a factor in the Big Ten.
“My height helps me win a lot of head balls, and I’ve learned to use my size when I’m on the ball,” he said. “I’ll have to gain some weight, but I’m going up there with the right attitude.”
The move to Madison is nine months away, however, leaving McCrudden ample time to reflect on this chapter of his life.
“I couldn’t have asked for more than winning two state championships,” he said. “I’m going to get new teammates and meet new people, but I’m going to miss these guys.”
SECOND TEAM
%% FORWARDS CL SCHOOL
Ata Ozbay Sr. Barrington
Harrison Shipp Jr. Lake Forest
Jared Tejada Sr. Triad
MIDFIELDERS
Antonio Aguilar Sr. Mt. Carmel
Kenny Giacobbe Sr. Edwardsville
Ryan Mangone Sr. Barrington
Dylan Remick Sr. Loyola
DEFENDERS
Billy McGuinness Jr. Lyons Twp.
Rocco Taglia Sr. Rockford Boylan
Milan Tica Sr. Morgan Pk Acad.
GOALKEEPER
Sean Donovan Sr. Hinsdale Cent.
SPECIAL MENTION
FORWARDS CL SCHOOL
Mostafa Abdelrahman Sr. Oak Lawn
Ben Beaver Jr. New Trier
Tom Belton Sr. Loyola
Brian Frankel Sr. Deerfield
Alex Gardasevic Jr. Hersey
Jordan Innis Sr. Crystal Lake S.
Tim Kruetz Jr. Lake Zurich
Eppokrates Litos Jr. Morgan Pk Acad
Jerry Maddi Sr. Naperville C.
Alex Perez Jr. Streamwood
David Puka Sr. Maine West
Konrad Raclawski Sr. Lisle
Tony Ramadani Jr. Washington
Ryan Roberts Sr. York
Seth Rudolph Sr. Belleville West
Raul Sandoval Sr. Larkin
Josh Techiera Sr. Bremen
Javier Torres Sr. Niles North
Bryan Towery Sr. Granite City
MIDFIELDERS CL SCHOOL
Gus Bloink Sr. Spr. S.H.-Griffin
Chris Boswell Jr. Naperville N.
Leo Elizalde Sr. Wheeling
Tyler Engel Jr. Sandburg
Ryan Foreman Sr. New Trier
Jonathan Fuentes Sr. Kelly
Phil Galounis Sr. Lincoln-Way C.
Cesar Garcia Sr. Round Lake
Steven Johnson Jr. Stevenson
James Kelly Sr. Maine East
Matt Marturano Jr. Palatine
Mike Mascitti Sr. Downers South
Luis Medina Jr. Waukegan
Bob Novak Sr. Lockport
Luis Ortega Jr. West Chicago
Eric Pothast Jr. Lake Zurich
Jake Schemper Sr. Timothy Chr.
Victor Trujillo Sr. DeLaSalle
Kyle Waller Sr. Columbia
Trevor Wheeler Jr. St. Viator
Julio Zamora Jr. Grayslake N.
DEFENDERS CL SCHOOL
Nick Boyle Sr. Hersey
Ryan Butler Sr. Andrew
Luke Friedman Sr. Marmion
Robby Gargaro Sr. Neuqua Valley
Brendan Healy Sr. Brother Rice
Lucas Lopez Jr. Waukegan
Brian Lunar Jr. Lake Forst Acad.
Alex Scott Sr. Hinsdale C.
Andrew Stone Sr. Libertyville
GOALKEEPERS CL SCHOOL
Robert Randant Sr. Collinsville
Ryan Seager Sr. Wheaton Acad.
Jack Turancik Jr. Neuqua Valley
Taao Scarnato Sr. Lake Zurich
Tom Unak Sr. Barrington
Mike Vertin Sr. Joliet %%
