Crystal Lake South Boys Soccer Team Makes Fourth State Title Game in Eight Years

The Crystal Lake South boys soccer team finished its 2026 season with a second-place finish in the IHSA 2A boys soccer state series, marking its fourth state appearance in the last eight years. The Gators finished the season 18-6-2. 

The Gators' path to the 2026 state championship game included winning titles in the Crystal Lake South regional, Boylan Catholic sectional, and Grayslake Central super-sectional. The team won six straight playoff games before the final, scoring nine goals while only giving up two, leaving opponents scoreless in four games.

In the state semifinal, CLS won a tightly contested game 2-1 against Washington High School with goals from seniors Zach Vallicelli and Ethan Nawracaj. The result extended their undefeated record in the state semifinals to 4-0. In the state final, the Gators suffered a close 1-0 loss to Peoria Notre Dame to finish second. 

The team had veteran-level experience and talent, with 15 seniors as part of the program and two all-state players in midfielder Will Prus and goalkeeper Noah Dunteman. Six of the seniors had a previous state appearance by being on the roster for the Gators 2023 state championship team.

Led by head coach Brian Allen, the boys soccer program added to their recent history of elite postseason performances by making their fourth state championship game in the past eight years (2018, 2019, 2023). Crystal Lake South won the state title in 2018 and 2023, with both victories coming against Peoria Notre Dame.