Following a successful season where the team went 12-11, expectations were high for the 2011-2012 boys’ soccer team. With their efforts, they made the sectional final game for the first time in the program’s history, setting a benchmark for later teams.
After starting the season with a 3-2 record, the soccer team went on an unprecedented winning streak, which included 17 games during the regular season. This was highlighted by the team, on the strength of Efren Diaz’s ’12 goaltending, only allowing more than one goal scored from the opponent once during the span (including eight straight shutout games in the regular season), while getting at least two goals scored each game on the offensive side during that winning streak.
Because of the regular season win streak, the Golden Warriors were the runaway, undefeated conference champions of the Northern Illinois Big XII, and defeated Geneseo 2-0 at the end of the season to confirm an undefeated conference season. The team then looked forward to making a run in the playoffs like it did the previous season.
The first playoff game against foe Dixon at Roscoe Eades Stadium was a relatively easy challenge, as the team defeated the Dukes with ease, posting a score of 3-0. Next, the Golden Warriors faced the Rochelle Hubs in a battle for the regional championship. Again, the Golden Warriors won 3-0 to grab its second regional championship in a row with the help of Pedro Ocampo’s ’13 two goals and one assist, while his brother Salomon Ocampo ’13 also scored a goal for the team. The game was one for the record books because, along with the championship, the Golden Warriors broke the school record for most wins in a season with 22, along with keeping the opposing teams scoreless for 10 straight games and winning its 19th game in a row. Diaz also had his tenth shutout game in a row, which is currently tied as the eighth most in IHSA history.
The soccer team then faced Belvidere North in the Freeport Sectional. The Golden Warriors struck first in the game, with a goal coming from Salomon Ocampo on an assist from brother Pedro. However, with 13:44 left in the first half, Belvidere North scored, which was the first goal from Sterling’s opposition in the entire month of October. The rest of the game had Sterling play with heightened tension. Relief came when throw-in specialist Josh Chromek ’12 threw to Bryan Gutierrez ’13, who then gave the ball to midfielder Jose Lopez ’13, who scored with 3:07 left in the game. The Golden Warriors were able to hold on for the rest of regulation to advance to the sectional final.
The sectional final against Aurora-Marmion is considered possibly the most thrilling game in Sterling soccer history. The team fought with Aurora-Marmion throughout the regulation time, and the game had to go to overtime. After a failure to get a secure win from either side, a second overtime had to be played, but the Golden Warriors unfortunately fell, ending their spectacular season and 20-game win streak, which left them with a final record of 23-3.
At the end of the season, Bryan Gutierrez was named conference player of the year; Pedro Ocampo, Salomon Ocampo, Efren Diaz and Aaron Brenner ’12 were given All-Conference honors; and Danny Navarro ’13 and Lopez were named Honorable Mention All-Conference.
Coaches on the team were head coach Chris Interone and assistant coaches Brian Cebula and Gabe Ocampo.
Players on the team were:
Pedro Ocampo ’13
Salomon Ocampo ’13
Bryan Gutierrez ’13
Danny Navarro ’13
Aaron Brenner ’12
Josh Chromek ’12
Carlos Gallardo ’14
Efren Diaz ’12
Bruno Rodriguez ’12
Nestor Valdivia ’12
Jose Lopez ’13
Eduardo Blancas ’12