West Aurora hosts Metea Valley
in first-ever meeting
By Steve Nemeth
Since beginning varsity-level play in 2010, the Metea Valley and West Aurora boys soccer teams have simply been two programs passing in the night.
Despite setting post-season sail within the same IHSA sectional pool, the Mustangs and Blackhawks have never met, but all that changes thanks to the shifting currents of conference affiliation -- at least for this regular season.
Metea Valley visits West Aurora Stadium at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday for an Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division contest after the Blackhawks return to the UEC. West Aurora was previously a member of the Upstate Eight from 1963-1997 before joining the DuPage Valley Conference (1997-2014).
Ironically, this is Metea’s final year in the UEC. The Mustangs along with Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley, will leave the Upstate Eight to join the DVC for the 2015-16 school year.
With no historical past and an uncertain future, the contest boils down to the third contest of the season for both teams. Metea Valley (1-1, UEC-V 0-1) opened with a 2-0 loss at Neuqua Valley before enjoying a 2-0 nonconference road victory at Downers Grove North.
“Starting with a division rival like Neuqua was tough, but I know our returnees and new starters settled in much better for our second game,” Mustang coach Josh Robinson said. “We began to play much quicker and trust each other. I hope to see us continue to move the ball more in order to improve our attack.
"While we haven’t played, I know Joe (Susterstic) is a great coach, and it’s nice to have this chance to face his team.”
So far several Mustangs hae gained the praise of their coach.
“As expected Dakota (Rowsey) has been outstanding and as a center back, Brandon (Howard) as been a real leader,” Robinson said. “Plus I’ve really liked the work rate shown by Michael (Adams).”
In Metea Valley's shutout win over Downers Grove North, Jake Celinski opened the scoring off a John Lynch assist and Rowsey concluded it with a penalty kick score.
West Aurora (2-0 / UEC-V 1-0) opened at home and overcame a deficit to defeat West Chicago 2-1. Alexis Davila goal was the equalizer and Oscar Gaytan’s the match-winner.
Even more impressive, the Blackhawks went on the road and erased a two-goal deficit for a 4-2 UEC Valley triumph at Bartlett. That conquest marked Susterstic’s 150th career win at West.
Jose Gallegos had a pair of goals and an assist, and Gaytan and Christian Martinez chimed in with scores in a four-goal explosion within a 12-minute span.
“What’s pleased me the most is their never-give-up attitude,” Susterstic said. "They’ve all bought in on the next-man-up mentality. (Starting keeper) Robert (Marquez) had a tough time, but German (Zamudio) came in and kept us going as we fought back for a tie and then took the lead.
“While they haven’t figured into the scoring, I believe we’ve had two unsung heroes in Julio (Mejia) and Damian (Castaneda). Julio has set the tone and standard with his hard-nosed effort. Damian was a JV player who came up to varsity to play in last year’s state tourney, and he’s had two quality games as a defender.”
in first-ever meeting
By Steve Nemeth
Since beginning varsity-level play in 2010, the Metea Valley and West Aurora boys soccer teams have simply been two programs passing in the night.
Despite setting post-season sail within the same IHSA sectional pool, the Mustangs and Blackhawks have never met, but all that changes thanks to the shifting currents of conference affiliation -- at least for this regular season.
Metea Valley visits West Aurora Stadium at 4:30 p.m. Tuesday for an Upstate Eight Conference Valley Division contest after the Blackhawks return to the UEC. West Aurora was previously a member of the Upstate Eight from 1963-1997 before joining the DuPage Valley Conference (1997-2014).
Ironically, this is Metea’s final year in the UEC. The Mustangs along with Neuqua Valley and Waubonsie Valley, will leave the Upstate Eight to join the DVC for the 2015-16 school year.
With no historical past and an uncertain future, the contest boils down to the third contest of the season for both teams. Metea Valley (1-1, UEC-V 0-1) opened with a 2-0 loss at Neuqua Valley before enjoying a 2-0 nonconference road victory at Downers Grove North.
“Starting with a division rival like Neuqua was tough, but I know our returnees and new starters settled in much better for our second game,” Mustang coach Josh Robinson said. “We began to play much quicker and trust each other. I hope to see us continue to move the ball more in order to improve our attack.
"While we haven’t played, I know Joe (Susterstic) is a great coach, and it’s nice to have this chance to face his team.”
So far several Mustangs hae gained the praise of their coach.
“As expected Dakota (Rowsey) has been outstanding and as a center back, Brandon (Howard) as been a real leader,” Robinson said. “Plus I’ve really liked the work rate shown by Michael (Adams).”
In Metea Valley's shutout win over Downers Grove North, Jake Celinski opened the scoring off a John Lynch assist and Rowsey concluded it with a penalty kick score.
West Aurora (2-0 / UEC-V 1-0) opened at home and overcame a deficit to defeat West Chicago 2-1. Alexis Davila goal was the equalizer and Oscar Gaytan’s the match-winner.
Even more impressive, the Blackhawks went on the road and erased a two-goal deficit for a 4-2 UEC Valley triumph at Bartlett. That conquest marked Susterstic’s 150th career win at West.
Jose Gallegos had a pair of goals and an assist, and Gaytan and Christian Martinez chimed in with scores in a four-goal explosion within a 12-minute span.
“What’s pleased me the most is their never-give-up attitude,” Susterstic said. "They’ve all bought in on the next-man-up mentality. (Starting keeper) Robert (Marquez) had a tough time, but German (Zamudio) came in and kept us going as we fought back for a tie and then took the lead.
“While they haven’t figured into the scoring, I believe we’ve had two unsung heroes in Julio (Mejia) and Damian (Castaneda). Julio has set the tone and standard with his hard-nosed effort. Damian was a JV player who came up to varsity to play in last year’s state tourney, and he’s had two quality games as a defender.”