By Eric Stock

NORMAL – If March Madness is a term that explains how a team can inexplicably transform and emerge from nowhere for a postseason run, then the University High School girls soccer team has discovered May Madness.

After a modest 9-9-1 regular season record, Hayley Sefton’s Pioneers have outscored five postseason opponents 41-1 to steamroll their way to the state finals.

“We switched out some people at different positions, we just did a whole bunch of different things in general and we hadn’t even tried that until the postseason,” Sefton said. “Obviously, something’s working OK, judging by our postseason record. Looking back, I wish we would have figured that out toward the beginning of the season.”

U-High (14-9-1) will take on Johnsburg (15-5) in the Class 1A semifinal at 5 p.m. Friday at Benedetti-Wehrli Stadium at North Central College in Naperville.

The Pioneers only close game in the postseason came at the LaSalle Super Sectional on Monday. Senior standout Sarah LaFayette says that tough 4-1 win over Joliet Catholic will help prepare them for these next two games.

“That will definitely help us, having had that close game, because we haven’t been challenged like that lately,” LaFayette said.

Senior Advika Kamatar said the key this weekend is to not let the pressure of playing in the state finals get to them.

“It’s really exciting to be one of the top teams in 1A, but we have the potential to be the best team in 1A,” Kamatar said. “As long as we don’t get too cocky and get ahead of ourselves, I think we have a good shot.”

The Pioneers last appeared at state in 2012, when they took fourth place. U-High finished second in 2002.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].