The table's set

Waubonsie, Neuqua will play for title

AURORA -- Neuqua and Waubonsie Valley both recorded blowout victories at the Waubonsie Valley Regional semifinals Wednesday to set up a rematch between the two.

Top-seeded Neuqua defeated No. 16 IMSA 9-1 in the first semifinal, and No. 8 Waubonsie beat No. 9 Oswego East 5-0 in the nightcap.

The District 204 rivals played each other earlier this season in Upstate Eight Conference play - a 1-0 win by the league-champion Wildcats.

"It was a good result, if we want to look at it that way," said Waubonsie coach Angelo DiBernardo, whose team minimized Neuqua's attack in the teams' first go-round. "We got a couple ideas on how to play them, but they got too much depth compared to us."

Neuqua (18-1-4), ranked 14th in the country by the National Soccer Coaches Association of America, should have a better idea of how to defend Waubonsie (5-10-5) after Wednesday's game.

Freshman forward Ryan Dodson scored the first three goals against Oswego East before juniors Sean James and Alex Soriano added the final two.

"He's tough," Oswego East coach Steve Szymanski said. "We knew he was good coming in. We knew what he could do. He was just stronger and beat us to the ball a couple times. I think that was the difference."

Dodson not only won possession on his first goal in the 17th minute, but he beat two defenders with his dribble before shooting past goalkeeper Kyle Hancock from 17 yards.

In the 34th minute, Dodson showed his ability to work within a small space. With the ball at his feet, he quickly wheeled around, creating enough momentum for his left-footed shot to carry 25 yards into the upper left corner of the goal.

Two defenders fell by the wayside on Dodson's third goal, in the 66th minute. This time he worked the ball deep into the penalty area before toeing a low liner to the right corner. Sophomore Nik Patel earned the assist.

It was Dodson's second three-goal game of the season. He now has 15 of the team's 25 goals this season.

"It gives us some confidence going into the Neuqua game, getting a shutout win against a pretty good team," Dodson said.

Patel recorded his second assist of the game in the 69th minute. He delivered a hard corner kick to the far post, where James headed it in for a 4-0 lead. Soriano scored on a rebound from sophomore Mike Giacchetti's initial shot with three minutes left.

IMSA goalkeeper Nobie Redmon survived an onslaught by the Wildcats during the first three minutes of the game before finally allowing the game's first goal.

Neuqua junior forward Jaymie Bullard scored in the fourth and ninth minutes and then assisted sophomore Scott Davis' goal in the 12th minute to take a 3-0 lead.

By halftime, the Wildcats led 7-1 over the Titans (3-13-2). Senior Mike Paik scored the Titans' only goal in the 34th minute to cut the lead to 6-1.

Neuqua senior Ryan Stainer scored twice, and senior Bryan Gaul and junior Ian Krol each scored once before the break.

Krol added two more goals in the second half.

Contact Brad Engel at bengel@scn1.com or 630-416-5289.