The Illinois High School Association is set to crown state champions in girls soccer this weekend, and two McHenry County programs are among the final contenders. Crystal Lake Central will represent the western suburbs in Class 2A, while Johnsburg, the only unbeaten side left in Class 1A, prepares to defend its title run.
Semifinal Matchups
Crystal Lake Central will meet Lemont at noon on Friday in the Class 2A semifinals. Lemont arrives on a 12‑game winning streak, having allowed just three goals during that span, while Central’s senior forward Addison Schaffer has added four postseason goals and three assists to the team’s attack.
In the other half of the bracket, Johnsburg will face Pleasant Plains co‑op at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. The winner of that contest will advance to the state finals, where they could meet either Father McGivney or Timothy Christian, the latter having been defeated by Johnsburg 2‑1 in last year’s semifinals.
Key Players and Coaches
Pleasant Plains co‑op’s offense is anchored by senior forward Bailey Leach, who has recorded forty‑nine goals and twenty‑five assists this season, giving the team the most prolific scoring attack among the remaining Class 1A squads. Johnsburg’s top scorer, Liz Smith, is listed as questionable after an ankle injury, potentially reshaping the team’s offensive dynamics.
Lemont’s coach Rick Prangen, a veteran with more than four hundred career victories and multiple titles, will look to leverage his team’s disciplined defense against a Central side that has been clicking in recent weeks. Meanwhile, Central’s coaching staff continues to emphasize possession and quick transitions to exploit the opposition’s back line.
Looking Ahead to the Finals
Should Johnsburg overcome Pleasant Plains, they will enter the championship game with a chance to repeat last year’s triumph over Timothy Christian. On the other side, the victor of the Crystal Lake Central versus Lemont match will meet either St. Francis or Morton, the latter boasting the stingiest defense in Class 2A after conceding only four goals all season. The stage is set for a compelling conclusion to the state tournament.