There was a time in late September when Timothy Christian High School’s soccer team was 4-9.

The Trojans were soundly beaten by Riverside-Brookfield, 6-1, on Sept. 28. And even though coach Rudi Gesch knew his Class 1A team played a schedule full of 2A and 3A schools, the Journey hit “Don’t Stop Believing” wasn’t exactly going through his head at that time. His team was second in the state in Class 1A last year but he started having doubts about the Trojans after watching the losses mount.

“The season is full of ups and downs and I’m never ready to pack it in,” the coach said. “But there were times I was thinking about the offseason to be honest with you.”

September turned to October and the tough schedule paid off. And now Gesch and the boys can start thinking about the offseason after beating Waterloo’s Gibault Catholic, 2-1 in four overtimes, to win the Class 1A title Oct. 31 at North Central College in Naperville. Junior Corey Phillip’s goal from the right side after 111 minutes and 30 seconds of action had the Trojans jumping up and down with excitement.

“Oh, man this is incredible,” Phillips said moments after the goal and after being lifted in the air by his teammates. “In the state tournament we have never lost an overtime and I knew we weren’t going to lose this one.”

The Trojans were losing, 1-0 most of the second half until Nathan Middel found Mike Pizzello with a goal with 5:06 left in regulation. Goalie Aaron Foster (seven saves on the night) and the defense bided its time before Phillip’s goal ended the marathon.

Gibault won the Class A title from 2005-07 and the Trojans knocked the Hawks out in the semifinals last year. Like the Trojans, the Waterloo school beefed up its schedule on bigger schools and entered the postseason with a 6-14 mark.

The Trojans finished 15-12 and Gesch said it was the first team title by a boys team in school history.

Pizello agrees that taking the lumps during the season may have led to the team being able to withstand two tough games in the state finals. The Trojans beat Peoria Christian, 2-1, in two overtimes in the semifinals Oct. 30.

“It was completely worth it,” he said. “Playing Class 2A and 3A schools the whole year…and just coming here and cleaning up. Winning everything. It’s wonderful.”

The team has players from various communities including Elmhurst, Burr Ridge, Oak Brook, Winfield, Hinsdale, Woodridge, Lombard and Downers Grove.

The rest of the roster includes Adam Garza, Kevin Hansberger, Nolan DuBois, Ben Cook, John Bowman, David Kuenzi, Troy Ellens, Mike Euwema, Nick Groenwold, Jon Workman, Colin Middel, Dae He Cho, Brad Wieringa, Nathan Slager, Kyle Anderson, Matt Robinson, Blake Engelsman and Danny Leach.

By Jeff Vorva

Triblocal.com reporter

 Triblocal.com photos by Jeff Vorva