The foundation is built

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BRIDGEVIEW -- The sting of losing the first boys supersectional soccer game it played still lingered.

But the fact still remained. Despite dropping a 2-0 decision to Lemont High School in the Class AA Toyota Park Supersectional on Monday, Minooka had a very successful season nonetheless.

"It was an honor to compete in tonight's game against a great opponent like Lemont," Minooka coach Jason Boe said after Monday's game. "Our team was led by seniors and will go down in Minooka history as being one of the greatest teams put together."

Minooka (16-5-2) had difficulty getting any offense generated against Lemont (22-2-3), which advances to an 11 a.m. Friday state tournament quarterfinal game against Rockford Boylan (22-3) at North Central College in Naperville.

Boylan advanced to the state quarterfinals with a 2-1 overtime victory over Schaumburg in the Northern Illinois Supersectional.

It marked the first time that Minooka had been shut out since dropping a 1-0 opening-season decision to powerful Naperville Central.

Lemont had 13 shots, including 10 on goal. Minooka, however, managed just 1 shot on goal and 4 total.

Minooka goalkeeper Jordan Cabrera made 8 saves.

"We came out flat against Lemont and I don't know why we did," Boe said. "We came out kind of in shock and awe. We could not get anything going offensively in either half.

"We came out and gave Lemont a good game. But in the end, we came up a little short. The effort was definitely there."

Lemont senior midfielder Krystian Ustupski scored both goals. Both scores came in the first half.

Last week, Jim Kelly scored 2 goals for Minooka during a 2-0 Lincoln-Way Central Sectional title-game win over Andrew. In the sectional semifinals, Minooka took down Bloom 6-1.

And in the Joliet Regional finale, Minooka beat host JT 3-1.

That was Minooka's first boys regional soccer title.

Boe realizes what Minooka accomplished this season has built a tremendous foundation for years to come.

"I could not be any prouder of a group of players from top to bottom in our varsity program," he said. "They spent all year trying to get to this point in the season, and they attained that goal.

"Because of this team, we now have a new goal of getting back to this point and then getting to the state tournament. This was a team for the record books -- scoring more goals in a season than ever before, having the best record in school history, winning the first regional championship, and winning the first sectional title in school history."

Boe once again saluted his 14 seniors, players who helped take the Minooka soccer program to another level.

"As for our 14 seniors, tonight was a night to reflect on what God has given us this past year, and it was a great ride," he said. "Hopefully, we'll be able to see them go on to become better students, players, workers, husbands and fathers because of the type of year they had, and because of the work they put in to making this year what it was.

"I wish them the best as they go on from Minooka, leaving a standard of excellence behind."

If Lemont wins its Friday quarterfinal game, the Indians would advance to a 9 a.m. Saturday semifinal game against the winner of Friday's Neuqua Valley (22-1-4) and Champaign Centennial (21-2-3) quarterfinal game.

The third-place game is set for 6 p.m Saturday with the finals beginning at 8.