Warriors claim Wheaton Cup with dramatic win over Tigers

By Curt Herron

Wheaton Academy needed at least a draw to secure the Wheaton Cup in its Thursday match with Wheaton Warrenville South at Red Grange Field.

And for most of the nonconference meeting between the Warriors and Tigers, it seemed possible that things might end up in a scoreless tie.

But with less than a minute left to play, WA capitalized on an opportunity and wound up collecting the lone goal of the well-played match.

Devin Moore lined a free kick from about 25 yards out into the upper corner of the net to give the Warriors a 1-0 victory over the Tigers.

The victory assured WA (14-6-1) of its first Cup since since 2007 and also sent coach Jeff Brooke's team into the playoffs on a high note.

Click to hear coach Jeff Brooke interview

Meanwhile, Tiger coach Guy Callipari was pretty pleased by what he saw from his squad during the initial 79 minutes against the Warriors.

But the veteran coach certainly didn't like what unfolded during the final 60 seconds of play, which could affect his team in the playoffs.

On what turned out to be the critical play of the match, WA's Stephen Fernandes got free past defenders with just under a minute remaining.

WW South's Nate Fuster was too aggressive in his efforts to stop Fernandes, and his takedown of the Warrior senior resulted in a red card.

That not only set up Moore's well-executed free kick, but leaves the Tigers missing one of their key players for their first playoff match.

Click to hear coach Guy Callipari interview

In a year where both squads have been plagued by injuries to key players, the good news is that some top people are back and performed well.

Beside scoring the winning goal, Moore assumed control for his team in the midfield, which greatly enhanced their opportunities on offense.

Meanwhile, George Doran paced the Tigers' attack from the forward position and was involved in many of his team's best chances in the match.

While Doran created some headaches, the Warriors managed to keep him under wraps, with much of the credit going to center back Trevor Adams.

He was joined in the back by Will West and Blake McNamara while Jesse Carmody performed well in the net to help WA record its 11th shutout.

Click to hear Trevor Adams interview

While Carmody stopped everything that came his way his counterparts with the Tigers, Josh Dix and Tim Reinders, also turned in good efforts.

South had the better chances at the start of the match, beginning with a liner from Will Huesing that Carmody secured about 12 minutes in.

Then a few minutes after that, Fuster sent in a free kick from the side that was deflected away by West.

Around the midway point of the half, Carmody came out of the net to shut down possible chances that were set up by passes from Doran.

Click to hear Jesse Carmody interview

WA began to mount several good challenges during the final 15 minutes of the initial half, starting with Andrew Leutkehans' header to Dix.

After Brian Cairncross and Moore each sent tries wide of the net, the Warriors put together their best first-half chance in the late going.

With a minute left before the break, Cairncross sent a short liner from the side that bounced off Fuster before Dix fell on the loose ball.

Fuster started things in the second half with a long free kick that was punched away by Carmody, who later stopped a grounder from Doran.

Click to hear George Doran interview

A few minutes after that, Jarrod Jakubowski lined a shot off a defender and following his corner kick, Huesing had a short try deflected.

With just over 22 minutes left in the final half, Fuster sent in a liner from about 30 yards that Carmody had to dive for to make the save.

Not long after that, WA's Zeb Lewis got free in front of the net and fired off a liner that Reinders halted and then fell on the loose ball.

In the final 10 minutes of the match there was plenty of drama, beginning with Fernandes' close-range header off of a free kick from West.

A while later, WW South's Alec Brazeau was denied on a line drive by Carmody before Tiger Thomas Schubert sent an attempt wide of the net.

As time wound down, a draw seemed to be the likely outcome before Fernandes got free and Fuster tackled him with just under a minute left.

WA took the lead on Moore's free kick and the defending Cup champion Tigers went on to suffer their ninth one-goal defeat of the season.

Click to hear Nate Fuster interview

The Warriors are hoping for a nice postseason run in the Class 2A playoffs and will get to host both a regional and sectional tournament.

WA meets up with ACE Tech Charter in Tuesday's first-round match before taking on Juarez or Cristo Rey Jesuit in Friday's regional final.

WW South is at the Neuqua Valley Regional where it faces Plainfield South on Wednesday for the chance to reach Saturday's championship.