News and Notes...

Back from sunny San Diego, here are some news and notes:

*Preseason Player of the Year candidate Alex Perez of Streamwood could be out for an extended period of time after suffering an injury Saturday during a 1-1 tie to Wheaton North. "With 40 seconds left in the game, Alex went up to clear the ball out of the box," coach Matt Polovin said. "He also headed the back of the Wheaton North player's head and broke his nose.

"Blood was pouring out of his nose, and the bridge of it swelled up pretty bad. He is going to a specialist today and hopefully he won't be out that long. I don't know if he can wear a mask, but he is definitely bummed right now."

*Lake View earned a spot in next week's Pepsi Showdown after recording a 5-3 victory over Timothy Christian in Tuesday's Pepsi Showdown play-in game. Lake View, which knocked off Loyola 1-0 last week, finished fourth in Class 2A a year ago. Timothy Chrisitian finished fourth in Class 1A.

*I was a little surprised Lincoln-Way West would schedule Hinsdale Central as its first ever opponent, as were many, many other people throughout the soccer community. But people were also stunned Hinsdale Central would add a first-year program to its schedule.

According to Hinsdale Central coach Mike Wiggins, both schools got together before kickoff, took a group picture together and had Lincoln-Way West kick off the first ball, sending it out of bounds as a commemorative item for its history. The Red Devils won 6-0.