Nov. 05--Vince DiNuzzo tends to be superstitious and routine-oriented.
The Bartlett boys soccer coach saw both traits accidentally collide in a positive way before the start of Tuesday's Class 3A Barrington Supersectional against McHenry.
A year ago, DiNuzzo was an assistant coach for Streamwood. The Sabers capped an improbable playoff run by defeating Lake Park 2-1 at the Barrington Supersectional for the program's first state appearance.
On Tuesday DiNuzzo walked into the same stadium, and smirked at the parallels to his previous trip.
"When I walked up to Barrington High School, and I looked to the right, I saw that was the same bench that I was sitting on a year ago with Streamwood," DiNuzzo said. "I'm a superstitious guy. I (often) wear the same thing. I looked behind me and I had the support of the Streamwood staff, and they were at the game.
"They were even saying it was crazy. I like the same thing every time. We don't change our routine in terms of practice for the boys either, so I thought that was a good sign."
Seventy-eight minutes into Tuesday's match, Bartlett senior striker Tim Riordan blasted a shot into the right corner to propel the Hawks to a 1-0 victory and to the program's first state trip --fulfilling a strange, two-year odyssey for DiNuzzo.
A 2008 Bartlett graduate, DiNuzzo, 25, has infused new life into a program that finished 6-13 last season. For DiNuzzo, the Hawks' represent more than just a team. His brothers, Anthony and Michael, also played for Bartlett, a program that before this season had won only two regionals, in 2010 and 2011.
"It's exciting to be going to state, again," he said. "It feels like d骮.. vu for me, but it means a lot more because it is the program that I grew up with.
"It's a similar feeling, but it's different because it's my alma mater and I truly care about this program."
The Hawks' seniors had yet to fulfill their promise entering the season, though expectations were high with the hiring of DiNuzzo and 16 seniors on the roster.
Riordan, who holds the program record for single-season goals with 13, attributed improved chemistry to the turnaround. Bartlett lost five games by one goal last season. The Hawks have won each of their last five playoff games by one goal.
"Last year we had a lot of skill, but it was a lot of individual skill," Riordan said. "This year we've come together as one team for one common goal."
"We all have been playing together for a very long time and I think we knew we were capable of doing it," added senior midfielder Oliver Saile, who has seven goals and a team-high 12 assists. "We just had to put in the work and make it happen."
The Hawks' rugged early season schedule and a glut of injuries led to a 4-4 start. Saile Igor Zwada, T.J. Ivkovich, Venici Leone, Rudy Reyes and four-year varsity member A.J. Santori all missed multiple games because of injuries.
Finally healthy and riding a six-game winning streak, the Hawks are poised to help DiNuzzo correct one flaw from last season: the Sabers lost both of their games at state via shutout.
""We aren't satisfied with a sectional or supersectional title," Riordan said. "Now that we made state and proved ourselves, it feels good, but we're not done yet and we're focused on winning it all."
Bob Narang is a freelance reporter for the Chicago Tribune.
Boys soccer state tournament
Where: Hoffman Estates High School.
Friday's 2A semifinals
--Carmel (18-7-1) vs. Waterloo (23-3-1), 1 p.m.
--Chicago Washington (12-6-3) vs. Peoria Notre Dame (21-1-3), 3 p.m.
Friday's 3A semifinals
--Morton (26-2) vs. Libertyville (17-3-1), 5 p.m.
--Bartlett (17-7-2) vs. Quincy (19-4-2), 7 p.m.
Saturday's schedule
2A third place, 11 a.m.
2A championship, 1 p.m.
3A third place, 5 p.m.
3A Championship, 7 p.m.
