Stagg can't run with Edwardsville

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:10PM

Stagg's amazing run through the state boys soccer playoffs came to a disappointing end Tuesday night.

Despite a spirited effort against one of state's premier programs, the Chargers fell 1-0 to Edwardsville in the Class 3A Normal Community Supersectional.

The win propelled Edwardsville (19-4-1) into the state semifinals for the second consecutive year. At 5 p.m. Friday, the Tigers will take on Rockford Boylan (23-1-3) at North Central College in Naperville. Stagg (15-6-2), meanwhile, had its 12-match winning streak snapped.

"Of course I'd love to be in the state tournament," Stagg coach Michael Kealy said. "But we played tough in the playoffs, and when a team does that there's nothing more a coach could ask for."

Sam Fink was the difference-maker, scoring in the 71st minute. The Edwardsville senior dribbled through the Stagg defense before letting loose with a shot from close range that went under the arm of Chargers goalkeeper Chris Kosior.

"Neither team really dominated the game," Kealy said. "It was a well-fought game. Both teams had opportunities. It's just that they capitalized on their opportunity."

Stagg's best chance to score came with a little less than five minutes remaining in the match. Zack Judickas sent a cross to the far post, where Tom Lojek's header was stopped by Edwardsville goalie Daniel Brennan, who made a sliding save.

"A lot of them were emotional," Kealy said of the players after the match. "I told them they shouldn't hang their heads. We gave it a heck of a run. We kind of struggled earlier this season, and to come back and get this far shows the character of this team."

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