Streamwood Sabres Claim 2A Sectional Title in Overtime Thriller

BREAKING: Streamwood Academy triumphed over Wheaton Academy in a nail-biting overtime finish, claiming the Class 2A Geneva Sectional championship with a 2-1 victory Saturday. The game showcased the standout performance of Alex Garcia, who celebrated his 18th birthday with an astounding 14 saves, ensuring the Sabres advance to the supersectional.

With this victory, Streamwood (13-10) will host the supersectional match against Grayslake Central at 4:30 p.m. Monday. “We’ve faced adversity all season, but Alex has been our rock,” said Streamwood coach Matt Polovin. “He kept us in the game with critical saves.”

The match was intense from the start, with Garcia making a remarkable diving save just four minutes in against Wheaton Academy’s Luke Rodriguez. His heroics continued as he thwarted a breakaway shot by Mason Brooke, maintaining the scoreline.

After a tense first half that ended scoreless, Streamwood broke the deadlock with a goal from Max Galvan, courtesy of a precise corner kick from Josue Lopez with just under 15 minutes remaining. “That was a perfect set piece,” Polovin praised.

Wheaton Academy (20-4-1) responded fiercely, with Sam Clegg equalizing with just 8:19 left on the clock, pushing the game into overtime. However, it was Streamwood who seized the moment in overtime. With 5:12 left in the first extra period, Emiliano Bermudez scored the decisive goal, again set up by Lopez’s corner kick, giving the Sabres a 2-1 lead.

“I believe corner kicks are my strength,” Lopez remarked, highlighting his pivotal role in the match. The Sabres outshot the Warriors 15-7, showcasing their offensive prowess. “It was a complete team effort,” Polovin added. “We faced tough competition in 2A, beating strong teams like Boylan, Geneva, and Wheaton Academy.”

Despite the loss, Wheaton Academy’s coach Jeff Brooke commended his team’s performance, noting their impressive season. “We won 20 games and reached the final 16 in the state. That’s something to be proud of,” he said. “Streamwood is a well-organized team.”

As the Sabres prepare for Monday’s supersectional, the excitement builds for what promises to be another thrilling encounter. Stay tuned for updates on this developing story as Streamwood aims for further glory on home turf.