This is no knock on either Downers Grove South or Belleville Althoff, but the Saturday matchup most people want to see is the second of the Class AA state semifinals.
That game pits Waubonsie Valley, the nation's No. 3 team, against Normal West, the nation's No. 7 team.
It's a rematch of last season's state quarterfinals. Waubonsie earned a 2-0 victory on its way to its first state title in any team sport. But a shot at title No. 2 got a lot tougher Friday night.
The Warriors, who are on a 56-game unbeaten streak, may be playing without Bri Rodriguez. She went down with a knee injury against Maine South and may not play.
"That works to our favor," Normal West coach Val Walker said. "She's their playmaker. Without her at full strength (and if) we play to our full potential, it should be an even match."
The Wildcats haven't lost since they faced the Warriors. They improved to 27-0 with a 1-0 win over St. Ignatius on Friday.
Expect a tightly played, low-scoring affair. The Warriors, who have won 22 in a row, have allowed only six goals this season and keeper Claire Hanold earned her 20th shutout of the season Friday.
Meanwhile, the Wildcats have given up seven goals, including only one in the past 12 games. Goalies Jordan Becker and Erin McGinnis have 21 shutouts between them.
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