Sycamore defense limits powerful Peoria Notre Dame offense but falls 1-0 in sectional semi

Every time Connor Busch made a save, the Sycamore student section erupted with cheers and chants Wednesday as the Spartans took on Peoria Notre Dame in a Class 2A Sycamore Sectional semifinal at the NIU Soccer Complex in DeKalb.The senior goalkeeper gave the fans plenty to cheer about, making 13 saves and allowing just a single goal. But that one goal was all the Irish needed in a 1-0 win, ending the Spartans’ season.“It was definitely a cool experience,” said Busch, who finished the year with a 1.08 goals against average. “I’m grateful to these guys and it definitely helped change the game. It kept us in it the whole game.”The Irish (18-1-3) entered the game ranked No. 1 in Class 2A by MaxPreps. Their only loss this year was 1-0 to Chaminade College Prep (19-2-3) out of St. Louis, ranked No. 2 overall in Missouri by MaxPreps.From the start, the Irish controlled the tempo of the game, keeping the ball in Sycamore’s half of the field and not letting the Spartans (15-8-2) set their offen