January 06, 2025
Sports

High school sports: Morton boys soccer trophy one of 2015's top accomplishments

By SUBURBAN LIFE
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Morton's Jose Gonzalez kicks the ball on Nov. 6 in a Class 3A state semifinal game against Libertyville. The Mustangs lost that game but bounced back to top Bartlett for third place in the state. (Shaw Media)

With the calendar about to flip to 2016, there is no better time to honor the sensational state championships and top-three state performances the athletes from Morton and Nazareth and other area schools enjoyed this year. Here’s a look at their accomplishments:

State champs

School: Nazareth

Sport: Class 5A football

State run: The Roadrunners had a target on their backs after winning the Class 6A title in 2014, but they were just as impressive in their 2015 title run. Nazareth suffered two regular- season losses but stormed through the playoffs and avenged one of those losses with a 35-21 quarterfinal win against Joliet Catholic. Nazareth won its three other playoff games before the state final by a combined score of 115-9 and had a running clock on Lincoln-Way West in the championship game.

Quote: “I know I got a few carries last year but I wasn’t much of a big key on offense,” Ivory Kelly-Martin said. “Obviously I played more today. I know that my guys are there to do what they need to do and it was exciting to me to be able to help in such a big way and I’m happy for me and my team.”

School: St. Joseph

Sport: Class 3A boys basketball

State run: Making their first state appearance since 2007, the Chargers left little doubt about who was the best team in Class 3A as they claimed their first state title since 1999. St. Joseph breezed past Rockford Lutheran 55-38 in the semifinals (St. Joseph led 33-11 at the half) and held off an Althoff Catholic rally for a 67-63 win in the final.

Number to know: 11.9 – Average margin of victory for St. Joseph in its 29 wins

Second in state

School: Morton

Sport: Class 3A boys soccer

State run: Considered a state title contender from the outset and one of the most dominant teams in the state all season, the Mustangs suffered a setback against Libertyville in a state semifinal but rebounded with a 2-0 win against Bartlett to take third place and cap a 27-3 season.

Quote: “Morton pride. You have to be able to pick it up and rebound. There’s nothing to hang our heads about. We had a great season,” coach Mike Caruso said.

School: Nazareth

Sport: Class 3A baseball

State run: Making their third state finals appearance in five seasons, the Roadrunners had their best finish as they took second after a back-and-forth game that Highland won in the bottom of the seventh inning.

Third in state

School: Fenwick

Sport: Boys water polo

State run: The Friars came up short in the state semifinals but rebounded with a 17-13 win against St. Ignatius for third place. Ryan Masi had six goals and Will Skowron made seven saves in net in the third-place match.

School: Fenwick

Sport: Girls water polo

State run: The Friars didn’t get the state title they were hoping for but finished the season strong with a 10-8 win against Lyons Township in the third-place state match.