Vallicelli and Nawracaj power Gators into state final
A rare big-game goal from senior Zach Vallicelli led the Gators past the Panthers, securing a spot against Peoria Notre Dame.
By Lucia Herrera ·
Zach Vallicelli struck the ball with his right foot on a bounce, sending it zipping past Washington goalkeeper Oliver Wettstein to the far post. The shot broke a scoreless tie with 26 minutes and 49 seconds remaining in the second half, giving the Crystal Lake South Gators a 1-0 lead in the Class 2A state semifinal at Guilford High School in Rockford. It was the first regular-season goal of Vallicelli’s senior year, a moment he described as surreal.
"Just playing here and getting the opportunity, I’m so grateful," Vallicelli said after the match. His assist came from senior midfielder Will Prus, who delivered the 25th assist of his season. The ball cleared three defenders in the air before reaching Vallicelli, who fired the shot to the right side of the goal.
The Gators extended their lead less than 10 minutes later. Senior forward Ethan Nawracaj won the ball near the sideline and attempted a cross that turned into a shot across the face of the goal. Wettstein made contact with the ball but could not stop it from trickling into the net. The goal, Nawracja’s 23rd of the season, gave South a 2-0 lead with 17 minutes and 39 seconds left.
Washington pressed hard in the final minutes, creating their best chances from long throw-ins. With 5 minutes and 16 seconds remaining, Wettstein ran upfield from his goal position and hit a rebound shot past South goalie Noah Dunteman, who made six saves. The goal cut the deficit to 2-1, but the Gators’ defense, led by Kaleb Nunnally, Dennis Adusah, Parker Zilm, and Ryan Stell, held firm until the final whistle.
Coach Brian Allen, now 291-144-37 in 20 seasons, praised his team's resilience. "It fills my heart when they do that," Allen said. The top-seeded Gators, who finished the season with a record of 18 wins, 5 losses, and 2 draws, will play in their fourth state title game. Their opponents are No. 1 seed Peoria Notre Dame, who have a record of 21 wins, 1 loss, and 3 draws.
The two teams have met twice in state finals previously, with South winning in 2018 and 2023. The next matchup is scheduled for 4:45 p.m. Saturday. South has won two state boys soccer titles in its history and seeks a third.
Nunnally said the team trusted each other in the late stages. "They weren’t going to get another one," he said. "We won every ball after that, got every second ball after that. That’s just how our team is. We finish our games very well."
