Crystal Lake Central holds off St. Viator for third straight IHSA sectional championship

May 30, 2025 at 8:58 pm CDT

Crystal Lake Central players celebrate defeating St. Viator in the IHSA Class 2A Deerfield Sectional championship girls soccer match on Friday, May 30, 2025, at Deerfield High School. — Crystal Lake Central players celebrate defeating St. Viator in the Class 2A Deerfield Sectional championship on Friday at Deerfield High School. (Gregory Shaver/Gregory Shaver )

DEERFIELD – At the beginning of this season, Lizzie Gray and Addison Schaffer were both hesitant with their goals for what Crystal Lake Central could accomplish.

Central faced a tall task as the defending Class 2A state champions. Not only did the Tigers have to replace most of last season’s lineup because of graduation. They also needed to acclimate themselves to a new head coach.