The Macomb High girls soccer team edged Canton 1-0 Friday evening in an Illinois High School Association Class 1A Regional semifinal at Pattee Field in Monmouth.
Macomb, the No. 3 sub-sectional seed, improved to 8-6-3 on the season. Canton, the No. 5 seed, saw its season end with a final record of 8-10-2.
Kylie Robinson scored in the second half for the Bombers with Kathryn Lukkarinen recording the assist.
It was the third win for the Bombers in as many meetings against the Lady Giants this season.
Macomb defeated Canton 2-0 back on Mar. 22 in tournament play at East Peoria. The squads met again Apr. 10 in Macomb with the Bombers posting another 2-0 win.
Macomb has now defeated the Lady Giants in six of the past eight meetings, with one tie, dating back to the 2022 season.
The Bombers finished with 19 shots that included nine by Kate Stortzum, five by Robinson, four by Mirabel Quinn Necak and one from Lorna Brown.
In goal, Jesse Trost recorded 11 saves, including one on a penalty kick attempt.
Friday’s first regional semifinal saw No. 7 seed Beardstown upset No. 2 seed and regional host Monmouth-Roseville 2-1.
The two teams had played earlier this season at Beardstown on Apr. 8 with the Titans winning 3-1.
Beardstown improved to 7-14-3, while Monmouth-Roseville saw its season end with a final record of 10-10-3.
The Bombers and Tigers will return to Monmouth Wednesday to play for a Class 1A Regional title at Pattee Field at 6 p.m.
Macomb will be playing in its fourth consecutive regional final and it will be the third meeting between the two teams this season.
Beardstown lost to the Bombers 2-0 back on Apr. 7 in Macomb. The two teams played again in Beardstown on Apr. 17 with the squads playing to a 1-1 draw.
Robinson scored twice with Stortzum and Sophie Wilson recording assists in the first meeting.
Stortzum scored the Bomber goal with Emrey Seward assisting in the rematch that saw MHS trailing 1-0 at halftime.
Wednesday’s winner advances to sectional play at Monticello.
The semifinals are scheduled for May 24.
(1) Athens/PORTA (18-5) or (6) Stanford Olympia (1210-2) will face either (2) Monticello (23-3) or (3) Bloomington Central Catholic (14-8-2) at 10 a.m.
The second match at noon will see either (1) Williamsville (19-5) or (4) Champaign St. Thomas More (11-8) play either MHS or Beardstown.
The regional title matches at Chillicothe, Bloomington and Williamsville are scheduled for Tuesday.
Previous regional title matches have not gone well for the Bombers.
In 2022, Macomb (9-6-5) lost to host University High 5-0 in the title match at Normal.
The Pioneers went on to finish in fourth place at the Class 1A state finals that season, ending with a record of 16-11-0.
In 2023, the Bombers (5-10-3) lost once again to host U-High 9-0 in the title match at Normal.
The Pioneers went on to capture the Class 1A state championship, finishing with a final record of 17-8-2.
Last season, the Bombers (6-9-1) lost to Athens/PORTA 4-1 at Chillicothe.
The Warriors lost in the sectional semifinal to Bloomington Central Catholic in penalty kicks. Athens/PORTA finished with a final record of 17-5-1.
