On March 19, Sandburg outdueled Homewood-Flossmoor 9-8 in one heck of a boys water polo match.
On April 17, H-F returned the favor in another whale of a contest, winning 8-7.
Why should the rubber match Saturday with a sectional title and a state quarterfinal berth on the line have been any different?
It wasn't. Sandburg scored a goal with nine seconds remaining, then survived a confusing buzzer-beating situation to defeat host H-F 8-7 and advance to state for the first time in history.
The Eagles (29-5) are to play Thursday night against York in one of four quarterfinal matches at Stevenson High School.
"We've been trying for 13 years ... it's a 'lucky 13,' '' Sandburg coach Jim Caliendo said after being thrown into the pool along with assistant coach Mike White. "I feel just great for these kids.
"This team is the best 'team' we've ever had at Sandburg. They play well together, they like each other, they cheer for each other, and they pick each other up. It's a cohesiveness you need to do something like this."
Joe Kamper and Cody Siemeck scored three goals each, and Max Krzyminski and Chris Bonavolanto had one goal each for the Eagles.
Kamper had the game-winner with nine seconds remaining when, after being fouled, he immediately fired in a shot from just beyond five yards out.
"I just knew I had to do something after all the hard work we had done," Kamper said. "I saw the hole on the (left) side and fired it. To hear the crowd cheer (after it went in) was an amazing feeling."
H-F had a chance to tie when Greg Nelson was fouled with only a few seconds remaining. According to the rules, Nelson could have shot immediately, but he instead waved the ball back and forth before firing it into the net at the buzzer. The shot was ruled illegal.
"He didn't hear the whistle for the foul," H-F coach Tim Caldwell said. "He thought the play was live. Hey, it was a good match between two good teams."
Nelson had three goals, Jack Oliver scored two, and Dave Kuchta and Shay Banton had one each for H-F (21-11).
On the girls side, Story Pumphrey scored on an immediate shot with 26 seconds remaining to lift the Vikings to a 6-5 victory over Lincoln-Way East.
H-F (21-10-1) is to play Fenwick at 4:30 p.m. Friday in a quarterfinal contest at Stevenson.
H-F and Lincoln-Way East had previously split a pair of 6-5 decisions.
Lincoln-Way East (26-6) appeared to have the third match well in hand after Kara Nowakowski nudged in a shot by teammate Taylor Nelson that hit the post with 6:30 remaining to make it 5-3.
"We weren't giving up. Never," Pumphrey said. "We just said, 'Hey, we're not losing this, guys.' And we put our whole effort into it."
Freshman Michelle Mayer got H-F within 5-4 with 4:07 left via a turnaround shot from in front of the net.
With 2:50 showing, Pumphrey tied it up.
Pumphrey's final goal came after she was fouled outside the five. She wasted no time in firing the ball past Lincoln-Way East goalkeeper Morgan Roberts.
"For some reason, that always winds up my shot," Pumphrey said. "Their goalie is my best friend, and she's just an awesome goalkeeper. We both came here to win.
"I'm just glad I was able to get a shot past her."
Pumphrey finished with four goals. Andrea Peterson added another for H-F.
For Lincoln-Way East, Rachel Japp scored twice, and Nelson and Alyssa Toland had one goal each.
Quick 6 kicks off second half
Jay Mariotti 24/7
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