Downers South's Jacobson stands alone

When you look at Barry Jacobson’s coaching resume, it’s safe to say there are few that will ever match it.

The Downers South coach is one of only a handful of high school girls soccer coaches in the country to win more than 400 career games. Over the past 25 years, he’s led the Mustangs to four state trophies and had only one team during that span finish under .500.

While many believe the 49-year-old will coach another five years to reach the 500 career win mark and 30 total years, Jacobson did admit the historic run will be coming to an end.

But when?

‘‘I have two children who are active, and my wife has been great,’’ Jacobson said. ‘‘I love what I do, and Bob [Topor] is a great assistant. So we’ll see.’’

Streak is over

For the first time since the IHSA split girls soccer into two classes, Saturday’s Class AA title game actually featured a non-Chicago-area team: Belleville Althoff.

Downstate teams have advanced to Class A title games, and those had been the only times when that area has been represented since the start of the state finals in 1988.

Odd sighting

After leading New Trier to the state quarterfinals six consecutive seasons, New Trier coach Jim Burnside had to buy a ticket to Friday’s quarterfinals.

The Trevians streak came to an end this spring when Glenbrook South knocked them off in the sectional finals.

New era

For years, it seemed as though the same teams were advancing to the Class AA state quarterfinals.

Rockford Boylan (12), New Trier (10), Libertyville (9), Granite City (9), Palatine (7) and Peoria Notre Dame (7) are the programs with the most quarterfinals appearances.

Outside of Maine South (7) and Downers South (6), no other team at the Class AA finals had more than three appearances and three programs were making their first-ever appearances.

Did you know?

There have been three coaches who have finished second twice: Andy Bitta (Libertyville), Ed Watson (Naperville Central) and Brian Papa (Lincoln-Way).

ach one of the three finished second in back-to-back seasons.