Makinde-led Whips ready

Hampshire senior Junior Makinde (left) leads the area this season with 28 goals. The second-seeded and host Whip-Purs open up play in the Class A sectional playoffs on Monday.
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HAMPSHIRE -- The Hampshire boys soccer team will look to build off the momentum started by the girls program when it opens up play in the IHSA Class A State Tournament next week.

The second-seeded Whip-Purs (13-6-2) will challenge either Oregon or No. 7 Genoa-Kingston on Monday in the Hampshire Sectional quarterfinals.

In other matches involving area teams at Hampshire, 12th-seeded Elgin Academy will start the postseason today against Rockford Christian, while No. 6 Westminster Christian and No. 11 St. Edward will square off -- for the third time this season -- on Saturday.

In Class 2A regional action, Jacobs hosts Prairie Ridge today and Burlington Central plays Taft on Saturday at Conant.

This past spring, the Hampshire girls squad became the school's first soccer team to advance to the State Tournament. The Whip-Purs finished fourth after beating Princeton and losing to eventual champion Rockford Lutheran in the semifinals, and Rochester in the third-place game.

In other words, the precedent has already been set. But can it be followed?

"It would be a disappointment if we don't make it Downstate this year," Whip-Purs high-scoring senior Junior Makinde said. "That has been my only goal all year. Last year we fell just a little bit short, but this year we have to make it."

Makinde, like coach Pat O'Brien, shares close ties with the girls program. Makinde's sister, Funmi, played valuable minutes for the Whip-Purs last season. O'Brien coaches both teams.

"I saw my sister play Downstate and she had a lot of fun," Junior said. "It would be great if we could do the same thing. Her team made it so we can too."

If the boys team is to have continued success, Makinde will likely be in the middle of the action. The forward has an area-high -- and school-record -- 28 goals this season and has started to draw college interest. While a Division I program would be the ultimate goal, Makinde, who plans to be a film major, is not picky.

"I'm pretty much keeping my options open right now," said Makinde, who plays on the club level for the Fox Valley Strikers. "I want to play in college, but it takes time to sort all that out."

Right now, Makinde and the Whip-Purs have bigger things to worry about.

"We just want to get Downstate and that's all we're thinking about," said Makinde, who transferred from Hanover Park as an eighth grader. "If we can do that, maybe Hampshire will be known as a soccer school."

Warriors, Wave to meet again -- St. Edward (3-18) is hoping the third time will be the charm when it faces Westminster Christian. So far, the Warriors (10-9-3) have won both meetings this season, 1-0 and 4-0.

"We are looking to put forth our best effort," Wave coach Tim Brieger said. "We had a good two-week run, but lately things have been a little up and down.

"We have to come out and play aggressive. The more aggressive we are the better we are."

Brieger knows the key to slowing down the Warriors is to slow down high-scoring senior Tyler Beachler.

"It's no secret we have to be aware of Tyler," Brieger said. "He's an all around force. Hopefully we will be able to contain him somewhat."

Beachler has scored 23 goals this season and is closing in on joining some exclusive company with 95 career goals. According to the IHSA Web site, only 32 players in state history have scored at least 100 goals.

Despite its success against St. Edward this season, Westminster is taking nothing for granted.

"We are definitely not looking past them," Warriors coach Josh Guge said. "We've never gotten past the second round in the playoffs, so we are really just taking everything one game at a time." Soccer: Hampshire Class A Sectional Preview