Kankakee, Bradley-Bourbonnais soccer seasons end in sectional semis

Two local boys soccer programs that both won regional titles fell one win short of meeting for the sectional championship. Kankakee lost 3-0 to Normal University and Bradley-Bourbonnais lost 2-0 to Washington in the IHSA Class 2A Washington Sectional semifinals on Oct. 27. The semifinal defeats ended the postseason for both schools.

Bradley-Bourbonnais finished the season with an 8-13 record and secured its first regional title since 2017. Kankakee claimed its second consecutive regional championship and its fifth in six seasons. The program won its first regional title in 2021.

The two programs are led by former teammates. Vincent Mkhwanazi coaches Kankakee in his eighth season, and Andy Stembridge coaches Bradley-Bourbonnais in his fifth season. The two played together on the Olivet Nazarene men's soccer team two decades ago.

Both semifinal games began with scoreless ties that required overtime. Bradley-Bourbonnais and Washington remained tied until Washington scored two goals in the final three minutes of the match. Kankakee fell behind Normal University 13 minutes into the second half, and Normal University added two more goals later in the game.

Stembridge said the possibility of facing Mkhwanazi for the sectional title would have been a strong matchup for the area. "Just knowing that for both teams, the level of soccer is improving and we have a nice rivalry, I think it's good for the area," he said. "Seeing that we had a chance to play each other in the sectional finals, it would have been electric. Unfortunately, we couldn't get the job done today."

Mkhwanazi said the two teams had hoped to meet in the next round. "As far as having the season come to an end, it's not the outcome we both wanted, but for both programs it's been a memorable season," he said.

The Bradley-Bourbonnais senior class includes Tim Martinez, Harrison Adams, Trenton Ward, Alek Perkins and Kieler Minton. The team won five games their freshman year, eight games two years ago and 13 games last year before this season's regional title. Kankakee's senior class includes Nathan Sanchez, Yael Calderon, Jose Torres, Angel Cruz, Leonardo Molina, Isaac Ramirez and Stiven Vega. That group won three regional titles and two Southland Athletic Conference titles during their four years, the first two conference titles in program history.

Stembridge said the returning players must continue to pursue another sectional appearance. "I want the [returners] to continue the hunger knowing this is not a fluke. We want to feel this regional title again and get farther in sectionals next year, and just keep striving to climb and see how far we can push this team."