Horvath lifts Lions over Glenbrook South

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:16PM

Jack Horvath scored the game-winning goal for the second consecutive time Saturday to send St. Viator to the Class 3A Libertyville Sectional semifinal.

Horvath scored both goals for the fifth-seeded Lions, the defending Class 2A state champions, but it was his left-footed blast that clinched a 3-2 overtime victory against 13th-seeded Glenbrook South (12-9-4) in the Glenbrook North Regional final. St. Viator (19-5-2) won its 16th regional title in school history, but its first as a Class 3A participant.

Horvath, a senior midfielder, scored with 7:32 remaining when the ball popped out in his direction off Nick Abel's throw-in. Horvath fired the ball into the upper left-hand corner out of reach for GBS keeper David Abiera.

"It was great that I was able to keep a foot on it," Horvath said. "I was lucky it went into the corner."

The Lions will play top-seeded Libertyville (17-3-2), a 3-2 winner Friday night over Warren, in the Libertyville Sectional semifinal at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. St. Viator beat Peoria Notre Dame 1-0 to win last year's state championship.

Horvath also tied the regional final on a controversial penalty kick.with 5:37 remaining in the second half. Abiera was charged with a yellow card and was forced to leave the game. Horvath was awarded a penalty kick after a collision between him an Abiera. He struck a low-liner past backup keeper Drew Maki, who was replaced by Abiera after the goal.

"I initially thought they stopped play to make a call for us," Abiera said. "Someone hit me from behind. I naturally pushed (Horvath) to brace my fall."

Junior Branden McGarrity scored the game's first goal with 37:37 to go in the first half when he was corralled the ball and struck a right-footed shot past Scott Faul. McGarrity scored a goal in each of GBS' final two games.

"It was a heck of a finish," St. Viator coach Mike Taylor said. "We didn't play a good game today, but you have to credit Glenbrook South."

The Lions won their only previous regional title in the large-school class in 2005 as a AA team.

"It's definitely (harder at 3A). The first couple of games last year we would get in a groove for the playoffs," Horvath said. "This year, there is no easy win."

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