Juan Hernandez decided to attend St. Laurence because of the quality of its soccer program.
The senior forward added to that quality over the past four years, which included a third-place finish at the Class 2A state finals in 2023.
But what Hernandez and the Vikings accomplished this season, their first in Class 3A, was truly unexpected.
“I know a lot of people didn’t really expect us to go on a run or anything like that, but before the season started, internally we were very confident in our group,” St. Laurence coach Jaime Alonso said. “We knew what we had and we talked about it all the time that whether we’re playing in 2A or 3A, we have to be contenders.
“Credit to these kids. When the playoffs started, they were just extremely focused, executing big chances and defending with lots of grit and determination.”
The Vikings used those qualities to come within 89 seconds of capturing their first state championship before losing to Naperville North 3-2 on penalty kicks in the Class 3A state title game on Saturday night.
“It was just an amazing feeling,” Hernandez said of the program’s highest finish ever. “We showed people that we’re not a school to mess around with. Just us being here is like a big statement for us.”
The Vikings (24-3-4) were on the verge of making an even bigger statement after junior defender Pauly Rzadkosz and junior forward Alonso Gonzalez scored seven minutes apart to give them a 2-1 lead with 16:12 left in the second half.
But Naperville North’s Andrew Hebron tied it with 1:29 left in regulation and the Huskies (25-0-4) won the seven-round shootout 5-4.
Heriberto Luna, Josue Garcia, Kris Cervantes and Maxx Figueroa converted their penalties and goalkeeper Vin Diesi, who along with Hernandez was one of two senior starters for St. Laurence, saved one shot in the shootout. But Naperville North goalkeeper Jack Bouska stopped three shots.
“Coming out of halftime, we believed that we can win this game and we could score goals,” Rzadkosz said. “We knew we were going to get a goal and with that goal from me it felt like the momentum completely shifted for us.
“We got so much energy off that and it helped us through the whole second half and it also led to that second goal. We just got unlucky at the end of the game.
“We deserved to be here and it just felt great to experience this to play in a state championship. It’s sad that we couldn’t get the job done, but we’re still proud of ourselves and what we came through.”
The Vikings, who were seeded third in their sectional, came through a draw that saw them upset No. 2 seed Lyons and No. 1 seed Morton before beating Lincoln-Way Central in the supersectional and Glenbrook North 3-0 in the state semifinals.
Hernandez assisted on the game-winning goal against Lyons and scored the game-winner against Morton. He led the Vikings in goals (17) and assists (7).
“Honestly, it was just working really hard, putting the team on my shoulders and just being in the right spot at the right time,” Hernandez said. “That’s what it all comes down to, and owning the moments.”
Hernandez has had his final moments for the Vikings, but he said the program has a bright future.
“Looking forward, everybody should be scared of St. Laurence from now on,” he said.
Rzadkosz is optimistic, too.
“Every year the program gets better and better, so it feels great to get to the highest level,” Rzadkosz said. “We know we’re a great group of guys. We know how to play soccer at a high level.”