The OPRF Huskies boys soccer team's 2026 season ended with a 0-2 loss to No. 1 state-ranked Lyons Township in the Class 3A regional final, The Trapeze reported.

The defeat came days after the Huskies beat Jones College Prep 3-1 in their first-round playoff game on Oct. 21. OPRF finished the year 10-10-1 overall and 3-3 in conference play, according to The Trapeze.

The Huskies played one of the toughest schedules in the state. They faced four of the five top-ranked teams in Illinois, according to MaxPreps rankings cited by The Trapeze, including Lyons Township and St. Laurence. A regular-season meeting with Lyons on Oct. 16 also ended 0-2, snapping a three-game winning streak against Downers Grove North (2-1), Proviso West (8-0) and Fenwick (3-2).

Coach reflects on an uneven year

Dave Bernthal, whom The Trapeze identified as head varsity soccer coach and the Wednesday Journal called interim head coach, said the season had high points and low points.

"We've had some really great games, really great moments, and then some lapses, and so we've ended up on the wrong side of things in a number of situations," Bernthal told The Trapeze.

He praised the team's possession game, saying the Huskies showed "some of the best moments of possession, moving the ball, staying connected with teammates, finding the opportunities on the field …" He said there were learning opportunities in areas the team could fix for a playoff run.

Senior Julian Betancur echoed that view. "This year has been a little different, but I feel like once we overcome our adversity, we can move on to the next step because we have the talent," he said.

Natale's injury and a captain's response

Senior captain Johnny Natale's season was cut short by injury. He tore two tendons and fractured his foot, according to The Trapeze. The Wednesday Journal reported that Natale went down in the 66th minute of the Fenwick crosstown game, clutching his right ankle. The game was paused for several minutes as he was helped to the bench.

Natale stayed involved after the injury. He said he was "helping the boys every day, coaching, getting water." He also pointed to a specific weakness: "Lack of finishing really hurt us."

Two seniors headed to Division III

Most players on the roster also play on club teams across the state, according to The Trapeze. Senior striker Joaquin Carlstrom-Arteaga and senior midfielder Chris Denneen are both committed to play Division III soccer, The Trapeze reported. The specific schools were not identified.

Denneen was a key contributor all season. In the Fenwick crosstown rivalry win, he scored twice, including the go-ahead goal in the 61st minute on a cross from senior captain Noah Barnett, according to the Wednesday Journal.

What the team worked on

In practice before the playoffs, the Huskies focused on finishing and set pieces. Betancur said "possession exercises" and "rondos" helped the team build chemistry. He said the team was "not going through the motions anymore" and "pushed each other at practice."

Bernthal said the team needed to improve at getting on the right side of the ball and adjusting when opponents switched tactics.

That work paid off in the first-round win over Jones. But it was not enough against Lyons Township.

"They are a great group of guys, tons of fun to be with," Bernthal said. Lockport later upset Lyons Township 2-1 in the postseason, according to the Evanston Roundtable. The Class 3A championship game was scheduled for Nov. 7.