After losing to eventual city champion Kelly in the Sweet 16 of the city playoffs, Lane Tech was looking for a little validation.
The Indians got that and their second sectional title as they defeated Juarez 2-1 in overtime last Thursday in the St. Ignatius Sectional championship.
"Every good team is going to have its trip-up," said Lane head coach Andrew Ricks. "We wanted to prove that we're a good team."
Getting that win wasn't easy. The two teams were knotted 1-1 after regulation and when you get to golden goal overtime, all it takes is one mistake.
Luckily, for the Indians (15-4-2), they were perfect and Rodolfo Fransual played the part of hero with 5:15 to play in overtime.
Fransual scored the game-winning goal thanks to a perfect pass over his shoulder by Chris Chaquinga right in front of the net.
"Somehow it got to me and I just had to push it in the goal," Fransual said. "I was so excited to score that goal.
"It's great for the city and it shows that there are not only suburban teams out there. In the city we play soccer and we play it well."
The Indians dominated much of the second half and the overtime period, and it was clear they were simply in better shape than the Eagles.
"It all comes down to what you do in the preseason and how you keep it up," Ricks said. "At this stage in the tournament you have to be fit and if we wind up facing New Trier (in the supersectional) we're going to face the fittest team on Earth."
Juarez scored first on a goal by Aaron Romo with 7:17 to play in the first but Lane wasn't concerned.
"There was still a lot of time left, and if you believe in your team you shouldn't panic with that much time on the clock," Ricks said. "I wasn't happy that they scored on us. We just had to work harder. If you want to be a champion you have to overcome those obstacles."
Lane (15-4-2) answered on a goal by Chaquinga just 1:30 into the second half.
"It was a heart-breaker when they scored that first goal," Chaquinga said. "But I'm a senior and it was 'do or die.' We had to pick it up."
The Indians had their work cut out for them in the Loyola Supersectional where they faced the defending state champion, New Trier (Please go online to see the game story).
"We need to believe in ourselves," Ricks said. "We're playing the school with the most state championships and the defending state champion. We have nothing to lose because we're supposed to lose. We want to stay in that game as long as we can."
For the players, it's all about playing with one thing.
"We have to play with as much heart as we can," Fransual said. "It's not as much as about winning. I think as long as we play with heart, our game will be there. I think we can surprise them."
"It's going to be the biggest challenge of our lives," Chaquinga added.
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