Lockport Falls Short in State Semifinal Against Glenbrook South

Lockport faced a challenging match in Rockford, competing with a numerical disadvantage for the second game in a row. Senior forward Orlando Dominguez emphasized the team’s resilience. ‘We fight for each other’, Dominguez noted. Despite their efforts, Lockport could not secure the victory they desired.

The Porters held a 1-0 lead at halftime on Friday night against Glenbrook South. A play involving Aleko Kolliniatis and Gavin Peery resulted in an own goal by Glenbrook South, providing Lockport’s only score. ‘That was exciting’, Dominguez said, ‘but we wanted to strive for more goals from our own players’. Unfortunately, Lockport was unable to find the back of the net again.

Glenbrook South equalized in the second half with a goal from Alex Onysenko. Henry Stephan then netted the decisive goal in overtime, shattering the Porters’ hopes and advancing Glenbrook South to the state championship game against East Aurora. Lockport will face Evanston for third place.

Dominguez expressed determination: ‘We’re going to fight for third place. We want to finish with a win.’ The Porters played the last 23 minutes of regulation and overtime with one player less following a red card. This challenge was not new to them. They had previously defeated the top-ranked Lyons in penalty kicks despite a similar setback.

Coach Chris Beal acknowledged the difficulty of overcoming such adversity in consecutive games. ‘Trying to get through a man down two games in a row, it’s a really tough ask,’ Beal said. Despite the setback, he noted they were close to a different outcome and praised Dominguez for his leadership, having scored five goals this season. ‘Orlando’s come up with some big goals and big assists’, Beal remarked.

Dominguez embraced his leadership role: ‘It’s really nice to be a role model for the young guys.’ He emphasized maintaining a fighting spirit within the team.

Goalkeeper Ben Szudy acknowledged the significant postseason run for Lockport, highlighted by his performance in the shootout victory over Lyons. ‘This is our second state run in school history, so I’m proud to just be a part of it’, Szudy stated. He highlighted the camaraderie among the players: ‘There’s no bad blood between anybody on the team. I think that’s what makes us so good that we have good teamwork.’

Beal reiterated his pride in the team’s accomplishments. ‘Obviously, the kids are frustrated right now, but I told them, ‘Guys, you lost in the final four at state’, he explained. He highlighted the significance of their playoff journey and the memorable experiences gained.