A Path to the State Stage
Edwardsville’s soccer team moved one step closer to the state tournament with a 2‑1 victory over Peoria Notre Dame in the sectional championship, improving to 15‑3‑2 and extending their unbeaten streak to nine games.
Coach Justin Bernaix, who has guided the program for the past five years, kept the focus simple after the win. “We’re taking it one game at a time,” he said, emphasizing discipline and the importance of staying grounded despite the growing excitement.
Up next, the Tigers will meet Lincoln‑Way Central in the super‑sectional, a matchup that pits two of the state’s most stingy defenses against each other. Lincoln‑Way Central arrives with a 18‑2‑1 record and 15 shutouts, anchored by All‑Sectional defenders Alyssa Sudkamp and Taylor Watt, who have helped limit opponents to just 0.8 goals per game.
Offensively, Edwardsville leans on All‑State forward Gabby Thompson, who leads the area with 19 goals, and a supporting cast that includes Anna Maxim, who netted both goals in the championship, and Thea Dimitroff, who has added nine scores. The depth of the attack has made the Tigers a nightmare for opposing backlines.
A win would mark the third state tournament appearance for Edwardsville in the past three seasons, a testament to the program’s consistency and the community’s passion for the sport. The stakes are high, but the players and coaching staff remain laser‑focused on executing their game plan.