Senior defender Nick Chase has been a vital part of Andrew's success this season, a rock in the back for the Thunderbolts.

One thing he hadn't done all year, though, was score.

Chase picked a good time for his first goal, scoring off a corner kick in the 12th minute Wednesday as the host Thunderbolts topped Lincoln-Way Central 2-0 in a Class 3A Andrew Regional semifinal.

“I've been waiting to get that goal,” Chase said. “To get it in the first game of playoffs felt great. We won the sectional last year and we're looking to do the same thing this year and hopefully, even more.”

Fourth-seeded Andrew (10-7-4) will meet fifth-seeded Reavis (16-7-2), a 5-0 winner over Shepard, in the regional championship at 3 p.m. Saturday.

The Thunderbolts put the 13th-seeded Knights (5-10) on their heels right away, creating early pressure and cashing in on a corner kick in the 12th minute.

Matt Kulpinski's corner kick found Karl Kosary, whose pass deflected off a Central defender and toward the far post, where Chase crashed and headed it in.

“Chase always looks for his chance to get forward,” Andrew coach Loren Zolk said. “He's the type of player who's always attacking the ball. He got in there and got a big goal.”

Justin Taylor made it 2-0 just 10 minutes later, taking a pass from Connor Gountounas and beating a defender.

Andrew's defense did the rest as the back line of Chase, Alex Trujillo and Austin Keate helped hold the Knights without a shot on goal.

Central's best chance came with 7:45 to go when Sawyer Hobbs' header off a corner kick missed just high.

Taylor Budzinski made five saves for the Knights.

Reavis and Shepard (11-7-4) tied 1-1 in the regular season, but it was all Fernando Barragan and the Rams on Wednesday.

Barragan, a sophomore midfielder, recorded a hat trick, including two goals in a span of less than four minutes in the first half.

“It was my first-ever hat trick at Reavis,” Barragan said. “I've been trying to get one all year and I got one in the first game of playoffs. It was exciting.”

He scored on a header off a corner kick from his cousin, Omar, to get the Rams going in the eighth minute.

“Me and my cousin have a good connection,” Fernando said. “He knew I'd be there and he played a great ball in and I just finished it.”

Fernando made it 2-0 when he collected a loose ball and quickly turned and fired from 35 yards, burying the shot into the top of the net. An own goal for the Astros gave the Rams a 3-0 halftime lead.

Fernando Barragan completed the hat trick with 10:36 to go and Omar Barragan closed the scoring four minutes later.

Derik Judka (3 saves) recorded his 12th shutout. Mark Farenga made five saves for the Astros.

“I think we played our most complete game of the season,” Reavis coach Bob Morack said. “Hopefully, we can keep it going Saturday.”

Steve Millar is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown.