By Woodrow Carroll
In the 38th Annual Little Ten Conference boys soccer tournament, Earlville repeated as champion with a 5-1 victory over Newark/Seneca in the championship match last week at Hinckley-Big Rock High School. It was a rematch of last season’s finalists when Earlville, then Earlville/Leland/Paw Paw, beat Newark/Seneca, 3-1.
Once 10 teams played in the tournament which is down to six teams. Consolidation, school closings, co-ops, and non-participation have reduced the field.
Hinckley-Big Rock (H-BR) was not in the final four for the first time. Seeded No. 4 H-BR lost its opener, 2-1, to No. 5 Serena.
Other than in 2005, H-BR had finished no worse than fourth place.
Victorious Earlville beat Serena, 3-0, in the semifinals, then beat Newark/Seneca in the championship game. Earlville, in one form or another, has captured 15 tournament championships.
In a mild surprise, No. 3 Newark/Seneca edged second seed Indian Creek, 2-1, to move into the championship game.