Jimmy Allen, Timothy Christian cruise past Chicago Christian

As an eighth grader, Jimmy Allen watched Timothy Christian’s sectional title run last season.

He wants to be part of another one.

Allen scored twice as the Trojans shook off an early deficit to roll past host Chicago Christian 5-2 in a Class 1A sectional semifinal in Palos Heights.

“I remember watching them win it on this field from the stands last year,” Allen said. “It’s really exciting to get to go to the sectional championship again and hopefully win it again.”

Timothy Christian (16-4-1) will take on Carver in the sectional final set for 7 p.m. Friday.

Chicago Christian, which got goals from Ben Friesen and Jake Robertson and two assists from Chad Ellens, finished 11-15.

“We played well in the first half and in the second half, I think we got a little tired of chasing the ball,” Knights coach Kelly Kirchhoff said. “They’re a quality side.”

While freshmen Allen and Michael Martens provided plenty of firepower for the Trojans, senior Tyler Vlasak was the steadying force who helped his team dominate possession.

With Timothy Christian trailing 1-0, Vlasak provided the equalizer in the 28th minute off a corner kick, burying a high shot after the ball came out to him at the top of the box.

“I stayed at the top and I saw the ball come over,” Vlasak said. “I had a teammate by me and I waved him off and hit the shot with my left foot and it went in.”

Vlasak’s pass set up Allen’s goal with 3:16 left in the first half and the Trojans went into the break with momentum and a 2-1 lead.

“We were pumped after those two goals,” Allen said.

“I was happy with the way we responded to going down 1-0,” Timothy Christian coach Joe Grit said. “The kids didn’t put their heads down and they didn’t try to win it individually. They kept playing together.”

Martens weaved through two defenders and scored with 28:08 left and Allen found the net again for a 4-1 lead.

Chicago Christian fought back with a goal from Robertson, but could get no closer. Christian Bravo closed the scoring for Timothy Christian.

“Our kids never quit,” Kirchhoff said. “I’ve got no complaints. We’re graduating nine seniors and this hurts for them, but overall this is a great bunch of kids. (Vlasak) is a special player and that’s a really good team we lost to.”