OPRF Boys’ Soccer Team Wins Regional Title Game Thriller

The Oak Park and River Forest High School boys’ soccer team won its regional final on Friday evening, a 2-1 nail-biter over Maine South that sends the Huskies to the super-sectional round of the state tournament.

With just over 3:30 to go in the first of two 10-minute overtime periods, Easton Bogard scored the winning goal off a pass from Jadyn Hsieh-Bailey.

OPRF had seized a 1-0 lead in the first half on a goal from Colin Hayes, assisted by Ezra Plotkin. A little over midway through the second half, Maine South evened the score on a penalty kick.

Bogard’s goal was his 19th this season, and the 57th of his career, a school record.

Maine South (11 wins, 6 losses, 4 ties) had not lost in its previous seven matches, with its five wins in that span including a 3-0 opening-round triumph over regional host Leyden.

OPRF’s narrow victory contrasted with its opening round win, a forfeit over Lincoln Park. The Huskies were leading Lincoln Park 1-0 in the first half on Tuesday when that game was suspended due to a medical emergency involving a spectator. The game was slated to continue the next evening, from the point where play had been halted, but then Lincoln Park notified OPRF that it would forfeit.

The Huskies are now 16-3, with a 10-game winning streak. In its eight games entering the playoffs, the team had outscored opponents, 40-4.

OPRF's next aim is to win the Sectional, which will be hosted by Glenbrook South High School. In that first round, the team is scheduled to play Tuesday, Oct. 25th against the winner of the Evanston Township regional, which will be determined tonight as Lane Tech and Evanston Township square off.

Last year, OPRF won at the Sectional level (for Class 3A) for the first time in its history before losing in the state quarterfinals to Fremd, the eventual state runner-up.