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Athlete of the week
Noah Melick
Jacobs, jr., F
Melick scored five goals in two games the past week, helping the Golden Eagles capture their second consecutive regional title. Melick scored once in the regional semifinal win over Cary-Grove and then came through with four in the regional final rout of Elgin.
Noteworthy
Turning it on: Dundee-Crown's Julian Ajroja also had a strong case for Athlete of the Week, netting four goals and an assist in two games as he helped the Chargers to a historic first regional title.
Ajroja didn't have many scoring chances in the Class 3A Streamwood Regional final agianst Larkin, but the junior forward was able to make the most of them, scoring both of his teams's goals in a 2-0 victory.
The Chargers (13-8-1) never had won a regional title before Saturday.
“He's just turned it on the last two games,” D-C coach Rey Vargas said. “He kind of slowed down in the middle of the season. But he sparked it for us today, that's for sure. His ability to attract players and open up spots is just amazing. He's been able to carry us goal wise, and that's what we expect from him.
“The easiness at which he carries himself. He gets a ball, drops it, and gets it right back as the guys are looking for him to open up. We found their gaps, and he was able to squeeze in between and get his shots off.”
Dougie on the spot: After Hampshire's Doug Stuehler deflected a goalkeeper's kick back into the goal for an overtime game-winner in the regional semifinals, coach John Gosling said, "Kudos to Doug for being Johnny on the spot, lucky break."
The goal was crucial because it kept the Whip-Purs alive in the regional, which they went on to win, but it was extra sweet for Stuehler because of the season he has had.
“Last year I had 11 goals on the season. This year I had three or four," Stuehler said. "I mean, this would be my fourth or fifth goal, and it just felt good to finally put one in, especially one that’s so meaningful to the team."
Record-setting Streaks: Woodstock's season came to an end Saturday with a 2-1 loss to Boylan in the final of the Class 2A Rockford Keith Country Day Regional, but even without the regional title it was a landmark season for the Blue Streaks. Finishing at 17-7-1, the team set a program record for most wins in a season. The Blue Streaks' offense also set a program record by scoring 103 goals on the season. With the defense allowing just 30 goals (and keeping 12 shutouts), the Blue Streaks finished the season with an impressive plus-73 goal differential.
This week's top matches
3A Huntley Sectional final
6 p.m. Friday at Huntley
This sectional final is sure to feature a local team, with three area schools in Tuesday’s semifinals. The winner of Dundee-Crown/Guilford and Jacobs/McHenry will meet Friday night with a sectional title on the line. McHenry won the Huntley sectional on penalty kicks last year, the first in school history. Jacobs last won a sectional title in 2000, and Dundee-Crown has never won one. Their results against one another were mixed during the regular season. The Chargers beat McHenry on penalties and topped Jacobs, while Jacobs beat McHenry. Jacobs and Dundee-Crown have two of the county’s most dangerous strikers, while McHenry is built around its stout defense.
2A St. Francis Sectional final
7 p.m. Saturday at St. Francis High School, Wheaton
A win Tuesday would put Hampshire in this sectional final against either Benet Academy or Sterling, the two top-seeded teams on the opposite side of the bracket. The Whip-Purs, the top seed on their half of the bracket, never have won a sectional title.