Lake View scores historic win

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It was a historic night throughout Chicago on Tuesday night, especially for the Public League.

With its thrilling 2-1 triple-overtime victory over Marian Central in the Class 2A Loyola University Supersectional, Lake View became the first team from the state’s largest athletic conference to advance to the IHSA boys soccer state finals since the association eliminated the Public League’s automatic bid in 2001.

“Only team from Chicago, only team from Chicago still alive,” screamed Lake View’s Elvedin Topic, who recorded the game-tying goal with 13 minutes to play in regulation.

The Wildcats (18-7-1) rallied and finally clinched a berth in Friday’s Final Four at North Central College in Naperville when Faruk Jasaragir hammered home a cross through the box with 8:36 left in the third overtime.

“It really seemed like slow motion when the ball was coming to me,” Jasaragir said. “I was waiting and waiting to kick it in and then, bam.”

While he didn’t score, the mere presence of Lake View’s top offensive weapon, Ruben Flores, changed the momentum of the game after the first 40 minutes.

“Ruben wasn’t expected to play because of an ankle injury,” Lake View coach Fernando Rodriguez said. “But he suited up in the second half after sitting the first half and that changed everything for us.”