Roosevelt University players celebrate in the background after scoring the match's only goal. | X / Trost
Roosevelt University players celebrate in the background after scoring the match's only goal. | X / Trost
Critics are suggesting it is time for leadership changes within the Illinois High School Association after the state runner up Peoria Notre Dame soccer team was given a yellow card for celebrating a goal.
Joe Trost, a former sports reporter for the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago Tribune and ESPN.com, recently highlighted the contrast between a college soccer match where a goal celebration was allowed and IHSA soccer games where yellow cards were issued for celebrations.
“What a difference 12 miles makes from #IHSA soccer in Hoffman Estates today to college men’s soccer in Arlington Heights today,” Trost said on X.
“With three minutes to play, Roosevelt University scored the eventual game-winner against the University of Saint Francis in the Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference Men’s Soccer Tournament.”
“The entire Roosevelt team, including the bench, celebrate the goal by the corner flag as the referee allows them to enjoy the moment together. Click the video and watch.”
“No cards, no issues and life goes on.”
“During IHSA soccer this weekend, assistant executive director Beth Sauser had her officials handing out yellow cards for any celebration, which Peoria Notre Dame received.”
"It’s time for change within IHSA leadership.
The collegiate celebration came in a thrilling Chicagoland Collegiate Athletic Conference quarterfinals match, Oskar Schuster delivered a stunning goal with just 2:12 remaining to secure a 1-0 victory for Roosevelt against St. Francis.
The Lakers' efforts finally paid off as Schuster dribbled past the goalkeeper after a perfectly placed pass by Sebastian Rodriguez, ending the goalless deadlock and advancing the team to the CCAC Tournament semifinals.
Peoria Notre Dame, the high school team Trost noted received the celebration yellow card, finished the season 22-2-3 losing to Crystal Lake South in the 2A state championship game.
"Not the result we wanted, but a lot to be proud of," Peoria Notre Dame said on X.
Yellow cards can make a big difference at the high school level.
According to IHSA’s recent rules changes have been made to how yellow cards affect the suspension of coaches and players during the soccer season.
The new rules outline a tiered system for yellow card accumulation, specifying that after receiving 5 yellow cards during the regular season, the person is suspended for the next game, and additional card accumulation leads to longer suspensions.
Furthermore, the IHSA tournament series introduces a clean slate for those with 4 or fewer yellow cards at the start of the tournament, while those with 5 or more yellow cards continue to be affected throughout the series.
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