For the first time in school history, Grayslake Central’s boys’ soccer team made it to the IHSA’s 3A boys soccer state tournament. The team had been working very hard throughout their season. They played a total of eighteen games, winning ten of those games and tying one against Warren. Unfortunately, they did not place first, however, they still placed fourth in their class.

Players Anthony Placencia, Elliot Bond, and Uriel Garcia Perez have been playing soccer for a long time. Placencia, a senior, has been playing for 13 years. Bond, a sophomore, has also been playing for 13 years. Keeper Garcia Perez, a sophomore, has been playing since he was five years old. The boys shared similar reasons why they were motivated to play soccer. Placencia says that his motivation came from wanting “to keep getting better and play[ing] at the highest level.”

Bond says that was motivated by the fact that he loves playing and wants to get better, and they did.

The boys said that they didn’t expect to make it to state. “When the season started I thought we were not going to make it near state but as the season continued we were playing well every game and I knew we were going to state,” Garcia Perez explained

At the beginning of the season, the boys had a losing streak of four games, but they were able to make a comeback and get to sectionals. By improving certain skills, the players were able to play much better throughout the season. Some of the new skills learned were “Learning how to play much faster soccer and play smart on and off the ball,” Bond explained. “Learning how to play… position[s] to help the team,” was another skill that Placencia said was very important for the team.

The players emphasized that winning sectionals was surreal. Garcia Perez expressed his feelings of the moment, explaining that “It felt amazing considering the fact that our team was the first team in central history to win sectionals.”

During super-sectionals, Garcia Perez explained that ”the one hand save in super-sectionals vs Notre Dame [was the best experience]. After the save was made the crowd cheering felt unreal, and after the game, my teammates told me how I saved them.” By making sectionals the team made the entirety of GCHS feel very proud. Bond emphasized that they were very proud of each other, especially of junior Daniel Marynevych. 

“I’m most proud of Daniel mainly because of what he did [for us] this season,” Bond explained. 

Unfortunately, the GCHS boys varsity soccer team fell short of first in their class. Placencia shared his perspective of the team’s performance at state, explaining that “It was saddening but [we] shook it off because this was a once in a lifetime experience. After all, the boys were very happy because even if they didn’t win, they still made it very far and were able to make history for… Grayslake Central High School.” 

“State was like an adrenaline rush. Stepping on that field was like no other. Honestly, it felt amazing to be a part of something this team has put so much time and hard work into… Day after day we dedicated ourselves to reaching state and to making it there and playing there was really such an honor,” Bond elaborated.