Check out how University High boys soccer team believes it can go all the way
The desire to get back to the Class 1A State Tournament has been a strong motivator for the University High School boys soccer team.
Now that the Pioneers have accomplished that feat for the second straight year, the goal of holding the state championship trophy is clear.
"That fed the fire," U High goalkeeper Noah Grieshaber said of last season's 2-0 loss to Winnetka North Shore Country Day in the state title match. "It was heartbreaking.
"But me and the boys coming back this year knew we had something we wanted to accomplish and set our minds to and we're going to go for it this year."
The Pioneers (23-5-1) meet Mendota (24-2-1) in a state semifinal Thursday at 7:15 p.m. in Hoffman Estates. Columbia (24-3-1) and Chicago Cristo Rey Jesuit (20-4-2) square off in the other semifinal at 5:30 p.m.
The third-place match is set for Friday at 11:30 a.m. with the championship bout at 2:30 p.m. Saturday.
"We worked really hard in the summer and had a great regular season," U High coach Jeremy Stanton said. "We've got 14 seniors, six of them started in that state championship game last year.
"We felt like we didn't play well in that game. Part of it was North Shore had a great game plan and played us really well. I think the guys were hungry to get back to state."
Noah Molitor played center back last season for the Pioneers, but was switched to a forward and leads U High with 44 goals and adds 11 assists.
"We knew we needed someone to put some goals on the board for us," said Stanton. "He's a guy who can do it. He's had just a fantastic year."
Keaton Ash contributes 18 goals and eight assists. "He's dangerous in the attack one on one," Stanton said. "He reads the game well and makes the right runs."
Midfielder Owen Pacetti has nine goals and a team-high 24 assists.
"I feel like this team has great chemistry, great bond," said Pacetti. "I love these guys, they're hard workers. We've got a really great group of younger players that are stepping up into some difficult roles.
"We have a lot of people taking ownership of their positions, and we're really focused on a common goal. That's why we've been so successful."
Leading the defensive charge are Bryce Nicolas-Penn and Kadin Rayford.
"Bryce controls the back for us. He's the communicator. He gets guys where they need to be," Stanton said. "He (Rayford) is a lock down one on one defender. We're very solid in the back."
The last line of defense is Greishaber, who has allowed just 17 goals in 24 games.
"He's athletic. He's long. He reads the game really well," said Stanton. "He's good with his feet. He's got great shot-stopping ability, and he's good in the air. He can pretty much do it all. We rely on him to come up big with some saves."
"This is essentitally the same team player wise but chemistry wise and friendship wise and brotherly bond, we're a lot better than we were last year," Grieshaber said. "I think we all just engage more with each other. We hang out more outside of practice. I feel like we have a fun time with each other."
After last season's title match loss, the Pioneers decided they needed to be more physical.
"That hurt us last year in the state championship game," Stanton said. "They put a lot of pressure on us."
"One thing we're really focusing on is staying composed with a strong, physical team," Pacetti said. "Our team is very technical. We're very good on the ball and very good in tight spaces moving the ball around. The main thing we tried to build through the season is the ability to be uncomfortable."
High-scoring Mendota features Cesar Casas (32 goals, 12 assists), Johan Cortez (27, 28), and Isaac Diaz (31, 9). Goalie Mateo Goy has surrendered 22 goals in 26 games.
"Mendota is a great team. They're strong on the ball, strong in the midfield," said Pacetti. "It's going to take a lot of grit and focus from our team to really take it to a more physical team."
