'We just didn't finish': Chatham Glenwood loses IHSA soccer title game to Notre Dame

HOFFMAN ESTATES — There was no whirlwind finish for Chatham Glenwood as Mother Nature flexed with driving rain and 30 mph winds Saturday in the IHSA Class 2A state boys soccer championship match.

The Titans had the wind and Peoria Notre Dame in their faces in the second half, and the Irish popped in two goals to break open a tie game and win their first state title in 10 years, 3-1.

The Irish (23-3-1) brought home their first state title since 2012. PND also won titles in 2010, 2008 and 2004.

"We had that wind with us in the first half and we knew we had to make our chances," Chatham Glenwood coach Kyle Franke said. "And we had chances. But we just didn't finish enough. We still had it tied at halftime."

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Franke said the second-half conditions might have been the worst he's seen in more than 20 years of coaching.

"That second half was tough for us," he said. "Both teams had to play with it. We knew that.

"I'm so proud of my seniors. This team started 1-3-1 and then went 19 straight games with wins or ties. It did a remarkable job."

Chatham Glenwood finished 20-4-2, while defender Miles Calderon lost his family duel against Notre Dame forward Thatcher Hogan, his cousin.

"I was excited to play against him," Calderon said. "We grew up playing soccer, have known each other since we were in grade school. It was a real battle today, and we kept an eye on each other. When I talk to him again, I'm going to let him know I'm proud of him. He deserved it."

Franke set up his lineup so Calderon could start on Hogan's side of the field.

"Calderon was really looking forward to playing against his cousin," Franke said. "I told him what I was going to do, and he said, 'Don't worry, I'm not afraid of him.' But it was a nice story for those two."

How 3-1 happened

Notre Dame played into the teeth of that wind in the first half and took a 1-0 lead at 11:22 when terrific forward Kayden Hudson drove the ball off the left wing from 35 yards out, and it zipped across the goalmouth and tucked inside the right post.

Glenwood tied it on a penalty kick by midfielder Maddox Gerger, who put it into the left side of the net past goalkeeper Dillon Bare at 15:26. Gerger later left the game, slipping down to the soaked turf and was carried off the field.

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Notre Dame had the wind at its back and soon had Glenwood with its back to the wall with two goals before the midway point of the second half.

Midfielder Nevan Libert gave Notre Dame the game-winner on a shot from the top of the box off a throw-in at 43:03, just after the second half was underway.

Hogan sealed it with a tap-in from the left post off a pass from Dillon Stickelmaier on a play that started with a throw-in by Hudson at 59:03.

How they got here

The Irish defeated Chicago Solorio Academy 4-2 in double overtime on Friday afternoon in the semifinals. Glenwood advanced with a 1-0 victory over Grayslake Central.

This was the fourth appearance at the state finals for Glenwood and first since a Class 2A runner-up finish in 2011. The Titans won the Class AA title in 2005 and took fourth in the 2004 Class A event.

The state championship game opponents played each other once during the regular season, a 2-1 game won by Notre Dame on Aug. 30.

Dave Eminian is the Journal Star sports columnist, and covers Bradley men's basketball, the Rivermen and Chiefs. He writes the Cleve In The Eve sports column for pjstar.com. He can be reached at 686-3206 or deminian@pjstar.com. Follow him on Twitter @icetimecle

This article originally appeared on State Journal-Register: IHSA soccer: Glenwood loses to Peoria Notre Dame in 2A title game