No shutout, but Streamwood still scores sectional title

Streamwood literally and figuratively earned its first-ever sectional plaque thanks to overtime.

The Sabres’ 2-1 triumph over Rockford Boylan in the Class 3A DeKalb Sectional championship was literally the result of a goal at 88:07 and figuratively attributed to extra hours spent over the summer.

“This is why we spent all summer as a group working on conditioning and fitness,” senior tri-captain Mike Delaney said. “I’m proud of our team for never giving up during the 100 minutes and for all the hundreds of minutes we gave up during the summer.”

“Five days a week all summer, this guys organized their time, held each other responsible, and pushed each other,” Sabres coach Matt Polovin said. “Now they’ve done what future Streamwood teams will hope to do.”

As has been the case all season, the starting 11 backed by only five reserves — plus sophomore goalkeeper Nick Favira brought up for the postseason — found a way.

Streamwood (16-5-2) beat a tradition-rich Boylan (19-3-2) which boasted three All-State seniors — goalie Nathan Wisbey, defender Tristan Davenport, and forward Alexis Galvez — plus an all-sectional senior midfielder (Giovanni Martinez).

Both teams entered with four-game win streaks based on shutouts, with Boylan’s three in the postseason having brought its total to 14 for the year. The tail end of Streamwood’s streak of 10 shutouts was snapped first.

There was 16:22 left in regulation when a Streamwood clearing attempt essentially bounced off Boylan’s Aidan Keefe. That ended a string of 312 minutes and 16 seconds of shutout soccer by Sabres goalie Sergio Blanco — an all-sectional honoree.

But Streamwood countered 1:49 later as All-State forward Alan Camarena earned his team-high 12th assist with a touch to the far post, where Jasminko Dizdarevic poked home the equalizer for his sixth goal.

“Seeing the pass go to Alan I figured he was in a spot to shoot and headed closer to the post in case he missed or as happened, the deflection came right to me,” Dizdarevic said.

In an increasingly physical and emotional game, Streamwood’s Edwin Rueda got his sixth assist on a cross that Donnie Sosa headed inside the right post with 1:53 remaining in the first of the two 10-minute overtime sessions. That marked his second straight game-winner, fourth of the year, and ninth goal of the season.

“When Mike went middle, I went to the back post and it was the perfect place for the over hit,” Sosa said. “This means a lot and we’ll enjoy this, but we’ve got much more to look forward to.”

“We’ve just started a legacy,” Delaney said. “But we’re not done yet leaving our mark.”

Streamwood will be back in the underdog role for Tuesday’s 4:30 p.m. Barrington SuperSectional against No. 7-ranked Lake Park, which claimed the Bartlett Sectional crown 3-2 over No. 14 Rolling Meadows thanks to a 5-4 shootout edge following a sixth penalty kick.