Community captured a third-consecutive IHSA Class 3A Boys Soccer regional title with a 4-3 win over Peoria Notre Dame on Oct. 24, advancing to Tuesday’s sectionals.

The Iron (17-3-4), after suffering a 2-2 tie to PND earlier in the season, stayed alive in the post-season—also gaining what Iron goal-keeper Kai White hoped would be a revenge game. 

While the teams played to a 2-2 draw earlier this season, with the Iron surrendering a 2-0 lead in that contest, Community fended off a late comeback attempt from the Irish on Friday. 

Joyce Lubika put the Iron on the board at the match’s 11-minute mark, dribbling through traffic to score unassisted. 

Logan Lelm put the Iron up 2-0, sinking a header low past the Irish’s diving keeper.   

Notre Dame’s Declan Schuler would half the Iron’s lead in the closing minutes of the first.

Lelm would finish the night with a hat trick, scoring two goals in the first twenty minutes of the second, giving the Iron a 4-1 advantage. 

The Irish were quick to respond to cut the lead to 4-2. 

In the closing minutes of the contest, the Irish would find the back of the net again, but the surge came too late. 

Outshot 20-9, Community made its chances count—scoring on four of nine attempts—while goalkeeper Kai White turned away 17 of the Irish’s shots.

Community opens sectional play Oct. 28 against Minooka (18-2). The Indians—ranked No. 9 in Illinois—handed the Ironmen a 7–0 loss in the regular season.

Additional reporting by Brayden Wallace