Oh baby: Notre Dame soccer owns overtime to advance to IHSA championship game

The Notre Dame boys soccer team is one victory from its first state championship in a decade.

The Irish defeated Chicago Solorio Academy 4-2 in double overtime on Friday afternoon at the Illinois High School Association Class 2A state finals in Hoffman Estates.

Kayden Hudson scored the game-winner in the first overtime, and Thatcher Hogan scored two goals, including the final tally in the first overtime, after which he leaped into his teammate's arms, put his thumb in his mouth and rocked like a baby in what was a funny celebration.

Notre Dame (22-3-1) will face Chatham Glenwood (20-3-2) in the championship game, scheduled for 11 a.m. Saturday.

This is the state-record 16th state finals appearance for the Irish program, which previously won state championships in 2004, 2008, 2010 and 2012. PND also was state runner-up in 2015 and 2018.

"I'm really proud of the guys," Notre Dame coach Mike Bare said. "It was a game of ups and downs, kept fighting and pushing and then we got there, it felt great.

"I told our guys after the game, 'This is what we've been working for, 10 years since we won a state title. It's been a long time and I'm tired of finishing second.' "

Trailing 1-0 and playing in a driving rain, Notre Dame senior Dillon Stickelmaier tied it as he trailed heavy traffic to the net and booted it from 5 yards out on the right side with 35:34 left in the second half.

Unsportsmanlike conduct from the Solorio bench triggered a yellow card and set up a free kick inside the box for Notre Dame, and Hogan scored on it for a 2-1 lead with 10 minutes left in the second half.

"Obviously the conditions were rough," Bare said. "Next thing you know it's pouring down rain. We were against the wind first half. Felt like we were kind of working our way into the game. We controlled play but had a hard time generating chances.

"But second half, we were just all over them. I was thinking, 'Is this ball ever going to go into the net?' "

It did, as PND took control in the first of two 10-minute OT sessions. Supersectional hero Hudson gave the Irish a 3-2 lead with the eventual game-winner with 6:09 left in the first overtime.

Hudson, 12 yards out in traffic, fired a low kick past the goalkeeper's left leg and into the right side of the net for the game-winner.

Then Hogan's second goal game for a 4-2 lead with 4:35 left in OT on a beautiful play. Stickelmaier sent a long pass from the right corner, across the goalmouth, and Hogan headed it in from the left post.

Solorio (22-4) will play for third place against Grayslake Central (18-2-3), scheduled for 9 a.m. Saturday.

Solorio took a 1-0 lead into halftime after Sebastian Gonzalez scored in the 22nd minute, on an assist from Yamir Gallegos. Solorio junior Pineda Alcala tied the game at 2-2 with 10:14 left in regulation.

More:Peoria Notre Dame soccer coach and son cherish the chase for an Illinois state title

Notre Dame has outscored its opponents 22-3 through six postseason games, including consecutive 1-0 wins over Marmion and Morton to win the supersectional and sectional.

Notre Dame advanced to state with a 1-0 win over Aurora Marmion on Tuesday in the Sterling Supersectional. Solorio advanced to state with a 1-0 victory over Chicago Mt. Carmel.

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 @icetimecleve.

This article originally appeared on Journal Star: IHSA soccer state finals: Peoria Notre Dame vs Chicago Solorio Academy