Chris Walker

The end is never fun, but Zach Murray can appreciate the run he’s had playing soccer for DeKalb. The Barbs’ season ended on Wednesday after a 6-0 loss to South Elgin in a Class 3A Elgin regional semifinal.

Sam Knych scored twice as Burlington Central defeated Sycamore 2-0 during Tuesday’s Class 2A Burlington Central Regional semifinal. Burlington Central advances to Saturday’s regional championship against top-seeded Boylan.

David Randecker ran for three touchdowns and Jr Fadahunsi had a pick-6 as Woodstock North traveled to Sandwich for a 55-6 win on Friday night in the Kishwaukee River Conference.

Glenbard West junior Alex Ginder was involved in all four scoring plays during Thursday’s 4-0 win over Glenbard North as the Hilltoppers defended the Glenbard Cup for the fifth straight season.

As the regular season comes to a close, here are some under-the-radar players who have made a huge impact this fall on Suburban Life-area soccer teams.

Roman Villalobos rushed for three touchdowns and Rochelle earned an emotional 21-20 win over Kaneland playing for junior running back Dylan Manning, who remains hospitalized after suffering a head injury last Friday at Morris.

Oswego East scored two goals in a 29-second span to break a tie with less than eight minutes remaining and beat visiting Yorkville 3-1 for the 200th win in program history.

Glenbard West is set to play district rival Glenbard North twice in less than a week's time – the second in the upcoming regionals. That, plus notes on Downers Grove North, Wheaton North and Westmont in Chris Walker's soccer notebook.

Naperville Central senior Malia Shen caught two touchdown passes that deflected off the hands of Glenbard West defenders on Wednesday night and the Redhawks shut out the Hilltoppers 25-0 to win the Naperville Central regional championship.

The Oswego and Oswego East girls volleyball teams played for the names on the back of their shirts while raising awareness and funds for the cause on the front during Tuesday’s match at Oswego East. 

Mariano Velasco caught a touchdown pass and had a pick-6, Dekker Zelensek ran for a pair of long touchdowns, Ammar Banire rushed for two more and Kaleb Stumpenhorst drilled a 50-yard field goal as Oswego celebrated homecoming with a 48-6 victory over Joliet West.

Fenwick has already tripled the number of wins it had last year and the Friars are relying on a strong defense and stellar goalkeeping from Dominik Ballarin. That, plus notes on St. Francis and Glenbard South and rivalry games on Thursday in Downers Grove and Hinsdale.

Kaneland secured a 25-15, 16-25, 25-23 Interstate 8 Conference victory over Sycamore on Tuesday in girls volleyball action.

Caed Curran and Mick Smith each ran for a pair of touchdowns and quarterback Brady Varner ran for a score and threw for another as Morris beat Kaneland, 42-21, during Friday night’s Interstate 8 Conference matchup of unbeatens in Maple Park.

Playing in his first crosstown matchup, Oswego sophomore Ryan Maveus was treated to a new experience during Thursday’s Southwest Prairie Conference game at Oswego East. He was more than ready for it, scoring a goal in a 2-0 victory.