Nov. 05--After 64 combined seasons of championship-less soccer, Carmel suddenly can't lose.
The Corsairs girls team broke through in the spring for their first state title since the program's inception in 1985, running off a 21-3 record in the process. The boys team -- which had a 27-29-9 record in its previous three seasons -- watched closely and, inspired by their female counterparts, worked toward their day in the sun.
That day has arrived.
Carmel (18-7-1) will face Waterloo (23-3-1) in the Class 2A state semifinals at 1 p.m. Friday at Hoffman Estates, with a berth in Saturday's title in the balance. Every victory marks another milestone in Corsairs lore, as no team in the program's 35-year history had ever made it downstate.
For a team whose primary goal was taking the East Suburban Catholic title, as long as you've made it this far, why not keep winning?
"Last season, I had four freshmen on varsity," said Carmel's fourth-year head coach Ray Krawzak, who played on St. Viator's 2003 Class A state champion. "And I had seven or eight sophomores that played. Last year was basically a sophomore team against a varsity team every game, and we knew that, and we were OK with that because it was a rebuilding year. But that varsity experience now, we're going to have the same team next year too, for the most part.
"I guess, I'd say it doesn't surprise me too much that we made it to where we are."
A combination of youthful experience and a drop in class to 2A set the table for higher expectations, and a more interesting year, for the Corsairs.
"This mirrors what the girls did, because they dropped down to 2A as well," said senior defenseman Ryan McKernan, the ESCC co-Defensive Player of the Year. "For us dropping down, it's kind of opened up the doors and the possibility of us going deeper into the playoffs, the possibility of doing something special."
Something special comes from a combination of factors. When Carmel scores first, McKernan says, "we pretty much feel like that seals the deal for us." Having ESCC co-Player of the Year, senior midfielder Braco Lasso, controlling the ball with a lead has salted away most of Carmel's victories.
But in season-defining contests against St. Viator and Vernon Hills, the Corsairs didn't score first, yet roared back to win both. All facets of Carmel's game have improved, but the biggest jump may have come on offense.
ESCC Offensive Player of the Year Scott Cloe (14 goals, 8 assists), sophomore forward Austin Ehren (26 goals, 8 assists), sophomore midfielder Rob Rao (12 goals, 7 assists) and Lasso (5 goals, 11 assists) lead the high-powered Carmel attack.
"Our ability to score has increased this year," McKernan said. "Last year, I remember us having so many chances but them not going in. This year, I don't know if we've improved our finishing or what, but everything just seems to be finding the back of the net. That makes all the difference."
Lasso's sister, Mandy, was a senior for the girls state champs. Krawzak saw Lasso, especially, increase his intensity -- "He saw, 'Oh man, that's what my sister gets to do? That's what going to state looks like?'" Krawzak said -- and motivation to levels he hadn't seen in the three years prior.
The team followed his lead, en route to the most important and potentially rewarding weekend in Carmel soccer history.
"Honestly, I'm just excited that we get to play more soccer." McKernan said. "We're one of the final four teams left playing in the state, and that's way more fun than going out early."
rmayor@tribpub.com
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.
