A year after coming up one win shy of a Class A championship, University (Normal) hopes to accomplish what it did in its first state Final Four trip in 2016 -- win a state title with coach Jeremy Stanton.

In 2023, the Pioneers finished 21-6-2 after falling 2-0 to North Shore Country Day in the Class A championship after defeating Columbia 2-1 in the semifinals. University (Normal) captured the 2016 Class A title with a 3-1 victory over now-shuttered St. Joseph (Westchester).

University (Normal/23-5-1) meets a team making its state debut, Mendota (24-2-1), in Thursday's 7:15 p.m. semifinal nightcap at Hoffman Estates High School. The winner meets Columbia or Cristo Rey in Saturday's 2:30 p.m. championship match. The third place match takes place at 11:30 a.m. Friday.

Stanton, who is 274-128-37 in 18 seasons at the school, which is located on the Illinois State University campus, played for and later assisted Dr. Bodo Fritzen, who was a pioneer in coaching soccer in the Bloomington/Normal area. Stanton is assisted by Ryan Ash, J.D. Kelley, Jeremy Kelley and Lukas Manieri.

University (Normal) tied for the title of the Central State Eight Conference with Glenwood.

The Pioneers are making their sixth state appearance and third for Stanton with the others led by Fritzen. 

The season started with 12-straight victories and the mark improved to 16-1-0 before finishing the regular-season with a 2-4-1 stretch. The Pioneers have outscored their five postseason opponents 30-1. They have recorded 13 shutouts this season.

The top scorers for the Pioneers are senior forward Noah Molitor (44 goals, 11 assists), senior midfielder Owen Pacetti (nine goals, 24 assists), senior midfielder Keaton Ash (18 goals, eight assists), freshman midfielder Jaxen Maubach (eight goals, six assists) and freshman midfielder Myles Parola (nine goals, nine assists). Senior goalkeeper Noah Grieshaber has an 0.71 GAA in 24 matches. Team captains are Ash, Grieshaber, Molitor and Pacetti. The team features 14 seniors.

Beside the quartet of captains, fellow senior returnees from the 2023 runnerup squad include defenders Francis Avogo, Chase Boester, Paul Isaacs, Bryce Nicolas-Penn and Kadin Rayford, and midfielders Aidan Dozier and Krish Patel.

Also back are junior midfielders Ethan Lavazza and Luke Marshall, and sophomores defender Connor Evans and goalkeeper Parker Stengel.

"We are making a return trip back to the state tournament and are very excited," Stanton said. "I think last year gave us experience for this moment. With six starters back and key contributors, I’m hoping this gives us confidence for the games ahead.  We know we are going to be matched up with very good teams.  

"Our nonconference and conference schedules get us prepared for moments like this.  We are battle-tested from the regular-season and think that will help. Our team has 14 seniors, who have demonstrated a lot of success on the field with their play and leadership. I’m happy to get to coach two more games with this group. They have been a joy to coach."