No. 22 Streamwood to test mettle
against no. 5 Lyons in tourney opener
By Patrick Z. McGavin
The raft of high profile early-season tournaments is not just a barometer of strengths but a direct and immediate challenge for teams to ratchet up their level of play.
The 2nd annual Northside College Showcase at New Trier kicks off Saturday afternoon at the school's Northfield campus with a marquee match up of no. 5 Lyons facing no. 22 Streamwood at 2 p.m.
Five-of-the-eight tournament teams are ranked by Chicagoland Soccer. The tournament also features no. 6 and defending tournament champion St. Charles East and the host no. 10 Trevians.
Streamwood had the best state finish of any of the eight programs. The Sabres put together a remarkable tournament run and reached the state semifinals for the first time in school history in finishing fourth in Class 3A.
Streamwood coach Matt Polovin has one considerable void he must account for, the graduation of all-state, do-it-all Alan Camarena. He scored 23 goals and contributed 12 assists last year. The Sabres return seven starters and three other rotation players from last year's 17-7-2 side.
As great as Camarena was last year, he was not the whole story. Forward Donnie Sosa registered nine goals and two assists. He has two goals in the Sabres' first two games. Balance has been the early hallmark of the Sabres' campaign. Four different players scored in the Sabres' season-opening 4-0 victory over East Aurora on Tuesday.
"We have guys all around the roster that can score, even some of our defenders," Polovin said.
Sosa also scored in the team's 3-2 loss against Wheeling on Thursday.
Streamwood is now a known entity, and with that, expectations are greater.
"They know the bar has been set up, with us going to state last year," Polovin said.
Midfielders Armondo Sanchez, Aldo Lazaro and Edwin Rueda are the other players to watch.
Rueda is a good example of a player elevating his game to match the needs of the team.
As a sophomore last year he did not score a single goal. He was a facilitator who recorded six assists. This year he scored in the season-opener.
"We have stuff we have to work on," Polovin said. "But I tell them, the season's a marathon, not a sprint. They are really putting in the time and doing a great job of listening."
Lyons is a benchmark, one of the state's elite programs.
Coach Paul Labbato has five returning starters from a 21-6 powerhouse that lost to eventual Class 3A state champion Hinsdale Central on penalty kicks in the sectional semifinals.
Labbato will expect his defense to produce behind elite center backs John Mazur and Nick Economou and top-notch keeper Darren Darrus. So far it's worled -- the Lions (2-0) have posted two 1-0 shutouts this week, most impressively a victory over No. 4 Naperville North on Thursday in LaGrange.
Forward Isaiah Nieves scored the game-winning goals in both games.
Polovin and his Sabres know what they're up against with Lyons and look forward to the challenge.
"It's very exciting to play a team like Lyons," Polovin said. "We've played them in the past in the Pepsi Tournament. Every year they have a great team, a great program. You can't take a second off against them, or they take advantage and put the ball in the back of the net.
"It's going to be a really tough game."
against no. 5 Lyons in tourney opener
By Patrick Z. McGavin
The raft of high profile early-season tournaments is not just a barometer of strengths but a direct and immediate challenge for teams to ratchet up their level of play.
The 2nd annual Northside College Showcase at New Trier kicks off Saturday afternoon at the school's Northfield campus with a marquee match up of no. 5 Lyons facing no. 22 Streamwood at 2 p.m.
Five-of-the-eight tournament teams are ranked by Chicagoland Soccer. The tournament also features no. 6 and defending tournament champion St. Charles East and the host no. 10 Trevians.
Streamwood had the best state finish of any of the eight programs. The Sabres put together a remarkable tournament run and reached the state semifinals for the first time in school history in finishing fourth in Class 3A.
Streamwood coach Matt Polovin has one considerable void he must account for, the graduation of all-state, do-it-all Alan Camarena. He scored 23 goals and contributed 12 assists last year. The Sabres return seven starters and three other rotation players from last year's 17-7-2 side.
As great as Camarena was last year, he was not the whole story. Forward Donnie Sosa registered nine goals and two assists. He has two goals in the Sabres' first two games. Balance has been the early hallmark of the Sabres' campaign. Four different players scored in the Sabres' season-opening 4-0 victory over East Aurora on Tuesday.
"We have guys all around the roster that can score, even some of our defenders," Polovin said.
Sosa also scored in the team's 3-2 loss against Wheeling on Thursday.
Streamwood is now a known entity, and with that, expectations are greater.
"They know the bar has been set up, with us going to state last year," Polovin said.
Midfielders Armondo Sanchez, Aldo Lazaro and Edwin Rueda are the other players to watch.
Rueda is a good example of a player elevating his game to match the needs of the team.
As a sophomore last year he did not score a single goal. He was a facilitator who recorded six assists. This year he scored in the season-opener.
"We have stuff we have to work on," Polovin said. "But I tell them, the season's a marathon, not a sprint. They are really putting in the time and doing a great job of listening."
Lyons is a benchmark, one of the state's elite programs.
Coach Paul Labbato has five returning starters from a 21-6 powerhouse that lost to eventual Class 3A state champion Hinsdale Central on penalty kicks in the sectional semifinals.
Labbato will expect his defense to produce behind elite center backs John Mazur and Nick Economou and top-notch keeper Darren Darrus. So far it's worled -- the Lions (2-0) have posted two 1-0 shutouts this week, most impressively a victory over No. 4 Naperville North on Thursday in LaGrange.
Forward Isaiah Nieves scored the game-winning goals in both games.
Polovin and his Sabres know what they're up against with Lyons and look forward to the challenge.
"It's very exciting to play a team like Lyons," Polovin said. "We've played them in the past in the Pepsi Tournament. Every year they have a great team, a great program. You can't take a second off against them, or they take advantage and put the ball in the back of the net.
"It's going to be a really tough game."