Austen Szurgot’s goal with 1:12 left sends Hinsdale Central to state with 2-1 win over Lockport

BERWYN – The forecast called for a long Tuesday night filled with uncertainty. The race was neck and neck most of the time and it was almost impossible to tell who would pull ahead and be declared the winner. All those watching braced themselves for the result.

Oh, not the presidential election, but the supersectional between Lockport and Hinsdale Central.

Sure, the stakes may not have been as high as a national election, but the matchup was just as intense. Both the Porters and Red Devils made strong efforts on a windy night filled with heavy rain. But only one could advance to the Class 3A state semifinals.

In the end, it came down to one shot, one opportunity. With the pressure mounting, Hinsdale Central’s Austen Szurgot did what true leaders do and made a play.

With the game tied and 1:12 left on the clock, Szurgot scored the game-winning goal in front of the Lockport net to give Hinsdale Central a 2-1 victory at the Class 3A Morton Supersectional. Hinsdale Central will face Hersey at 6 p.m. Friday in a state semifinal at Hoffman Estates High School.

“We were just in desperation mode for a goal,” Szurgot said. “We knew we had it in us to win. Luckily, we had a cross to put me in a beautiful position. I tucked it away and it was the best moment of my life.”

For the Red Devils (15-8-1), it was a surreal feeling advancing this far after a 1-6-1 start to the season. Now the goal is to win the program’s third state title and first in a decade. Coach Michael Wiggins said they don’t plan on changing much from a successful formula.

The teary-eyed Wiggins on Tuesday night mostly was focused on celebrating his players and all they’ve accomplished.

“There’s no quit in this group,” Wiggins said. “For us to start the season 1-6-1 and get where we are now is a credit to these guys. It’s fun to see. ... We’ve had a couple of guys make it to the final eight and for them to get to experience the final four is going to be great. It’ll be special for sure.”

Tuesday’s match was scoreless until 8:20 remained in the first half. That’s when Lockport’s Kacper Sikon took a free kick, sending the ball right in front of the Red Devils net. Sebastian Gryglak took it from there, heading the ball into the back of the net to put the Porters up 1-0.

The Red Devils managed two shots on goal in the final minute of the first half, but keeper Matas Odinas made two impressive saves to keep the sheet clean entering halftime.

The Porters were dealt a blow only one minute into the second half when standout Ismael Gomez was helped off the field after suffering an injury. Gomez scored two of Lockport’s three goals against Lincoln-Way East in the sectional championship Nov. 2 and his loss put the offense in a bind.

While Lockport was mostly on the defensive, the Porters still managed as many shot attempts as the Red Devils through the first 10 minutes of the second half. In the 50th minute, Gomez returned to the field and gave the Porters a clear boost on the offensive end.

Still, Hinsdale Central created more chances than the Porters, including a few wild sequences in front of the net that had Odinas giving his all to prevent a tie. Eventually, the Red Devils broke through as Kostas Zamalaitis scored from distance in the 63rd minute to even the score.

The Hinsdale Central pressure remained relentless the rest of the game as the Red Devils dominated possession and created chances. The Lockport defense almost did enough to force overtime, but Szurgot ended any chance of an extra session with 1:12 left in the game.

It was the second time in three years that Lockport (17-5-1) advanced to the supersectional round after never having advanced that far in program history. The Porters graduate nine seniors, but many key pieces will be back next year, which has coach Chris Beal feeling good.

“I want to thank the seniors for being so much fun to be around every day,” Beal said. “They work so hard and are great kids with great character. They’ve given so much to the program. If you look to the future, we are bringing back a very solid group and it’s very exciting.”