State soccer: New Trier eyes repeat

All eyes will be on the New Trier boys soccer team once again when it enters the North Central College parking lot in Naperville tonight.

The last time the Trevians pulled out, they left with a Class AA state trophy in tow. Can this squad duplicate last year's feat this weekend?

If New Trier (21-2-1) does, it must beat Hinsdale Central (19-6-1) in tonight's 6 o'clock quarterfinal and possibly Barrington (22-2) and Neuqua Valley (22-1-4) in Saturday's semifinals and final. A winning run over programs of that caliber should quench the critics who question if the Trevians were really tested during regular season or sectional play.

And when it comes to the Trevians, it's all or nothing. In its two losses, New Trier hasn't scored a goal. In their 21 wins, the Trevians have allowed one goal.

Mark Roos (10 goals, 12 assists), Kyle McCrudden (16 goals), Evan Bartzis (15 goals), Ben Beaver (11 goals) and Chris Ritter (16 assists) pace a balanced attack for coach Craig Fairbairn's squad.

Defender Jarrett Kerr directs the backline in front of goalie Danny Krause. But the one team that was able to solve Krause and Co. was the Red Devils on Sept. 15.

Less than 24 hours after beating Ohio powerhouse St. Edward in the Pepsi Showdown, New Trier fell to Hinsdale Central 2-0.

Defense is key for Hinsdale Central, led by Ohio State-bound David Tiemstra, Alex Scott and goalie John Shakon. The Red Devils have won their last 12 matches, allowing three goals during that stretch.

But Hinsdale also hasn't scored more than two goals in any game since a five-goal outburst Sept. 12.

After a couple of years of postseason frustration, Barrington returns to the quarterfinals for the first time since 2002 when it finished third. Francesco Furio (22 goals) and Ata Ozbay (11 goals) will lead the way against Collinsville (15-9-2), which upset Sacred Heart-Griffin in the super-sectional.

If Barrington stays away from a shootout, they should advance. Both of Barrington's losses have come via the shootout. Collinsville is 7-0 all-time in quarterfinal games and has brought home four state titles, two runner-up trophies and one third-place plaque in those appearances.

Bryan Gaul, Bret Hruby and Bryan Ciesiulka helped Neuqua Valley go undefeated in Illinois this season. The Wildcats, who battle Champaign Centennial (21-2-3) at 1 p.m., suffered their lone loss to Rockhurst (Kansas City) Sept. 29.

Rockford Boylan (23-3) and Lemont (22-2-3) will kick things off with an 11 a.m. meeting. Kyle Spoo, Krystian Ustupski and Mark Jasso have scored 51 of Lemont's 87 goals.