Patrick McGavin’s girls soccer notes

1. St. Charles East coach Paul Jennison has pulled off the impressive double. He directed the boys program to a sectional final last fall and the girls team has reached the state semifinals for the first time since coach Joe Moreau’s 2000 team won the last of the Saints’ five consecutive state titles, competing as St. Charles. “We’re going down there to have fun and enjoy it,” Jennison said. “If we’re down there, we’re going to try and win it.”

2. The game within the game of the showdown between No. 1 Waubonsie Valley and No. 2 New Trier is the play between two of the state’s top players, Waubonsie Valley senior forward Kristen Dodson (24 goals) and New Trier senior forward Maddie Mulford (25 goals). “I’m excited to play a good team,” Dodson said. “You want to be able to play a team of similar ability. I’m just excited to go out there and play them to see where everything goes.”

3. Class 1A state champion Manteno and state finalists New Trier, Lincoln-Way North, Lake Forest and Hinsdale South each participated in this year’s PepsiCo Showdown, won by the Trevians. The tournament announced an expanded field for next year with two separate 32-team draws and an eight-team draw made up of out of state teams. Waubonsie Valley headlines the newcomers to next year’s field. Missouri-power St. Theresa Academy, the No. 1 ranked team in the nation, is expected for the out of the state field.