Bergevin, Hinsdale Central
come up big in PKs to beat Lyons
Red Devils ride hot goalkeeper to victory
By Dave Owen
LA GRANGE -- Penalty kicks are a harsh way to have to decide a sectional soccer game.
Unless you have a goalkeeper like Wes Bergevin on your side.
After 100 minutes of scoreless soccer through regulation and two overtimes, the Hinsdale Central senior stopped two of four Lyons shots in the penalty kick session.
Meanwhile, Red Devils shooters converted all four PK tries to produce the win Tuesday that sent Hinsdale Central (15-4-4) to Saturday’s 11 a.m. Lyons sectional title game against No. 1 Morton.
“It’s what we’ve known all along – he’s one of the best goalkeepers in the state, if not in the Midwest,” Hinsdale Central coach Mike Wiggins said of Bergevin. “We’re very fortunate.”
Lyons' coach Paul Labbato saw what Wiggins talked about.
“He’s intimidating,” Labbato said. “His arms are long. When you see him (before PKs), you know you have to make it perfect.”
Patrick Duncan and Cole Gilchrist converted the first and fourth penalty kicks for Lyons.
Bergevin made saves on the Lions' middle PK tries, including a great stop to his right on the third shot.
But he deflected the spotlight from his saves onto the PK finishes by Red Devils scorers Jack Baderman, Evan Floersch, Justin Yi and Bryan Loebig.
“I was hoping the game wouldn’t go to PKs, but it did,” said Bergevin, the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match. “It’s unfortunate a game has to be decided on PKs, but when
it does, a lot of our guys stepped up and got the job done.
“After every practice we do PKs. We kind of get used to it, and a lot of guys practice over and over and know where to go and how to execute. They did a really good job tonight.”
The Red Devils are now 2-0 in games decided by PKs; they also beat Oak Park and River Forest Oct. 7.
“I’ve never felt more confident and prepared than the last two years going into (PKs),” Wiggins said, “because we have three goalkeepers that challenge our shooters regularly. We’ve spent quite a bit of time on this, and it showed in their confidence and the way they stepped up. And as much as we don’t like to see a game decided like this, it’s a reality of the game. We were prepared, and we did a good job.”
No. 4 shooter Loebig lined home the clinching PK as the Red Devils avenged their 2013 sectional loss to the Lions.
“Coach mentions one thing very often (about PK’s), and that’s ‘routine,’” Loebig said. “Just do the same thing every time. Walk up there with confidence. Goalies take notice in how you approach the ball, so you have to go with the approach that ‘I’m going to make this.’
“Them knocking us out of the playoffs last year, it’s really nice to be able to move on this time and return the favor.”
Through regulation and two overtimes, the Lions had the better of chances but no luck.
Lyons nearly had amazing luck four minutes in, when a Hinsdale Central clearing attempt by a defender in the box popped backwards high into the air and off the crossbar.
Bergevin stopped an end-line cross toward the crease by Lyons' Isaiah Nieves 11:30 before halftime, and two long Harry Hilling direct kicks late in the half proved dangerous. The latter 51-yard try 5:05 before the break required a short-hop block by Bergevin, and the rebound was sent over the net.
Those opportunities were mild compared to what followed in the second half.
The Lions’ Duncan lined a shot off the left post with 35:15 left in regulation, followed by Gilchrist’s rebound try that went inches wide of the same post.
Then with 2:50 left in the second overtime, Duncan burst in on the right side but had his initial shot stopped by Bergevin. Hilling’s long rebound try was blocked by Mike Usher. Lyons' Daniel Gutierrez gathered the ball left of the goal and launched a third try that Bergevin caught to end the flurry.
“It was very nerve-wracking,” Loebig said of the Lions’ chances. “Big credit to Lyons -- they’re a very good team. They move the ball around well and create great chances. I think we won it with our hearts today.”
The Lions (21-6) showed plenty of their own heart, somehow virtually stifling a deep and talented Hinsdale Central offense.
“I think it starts defensively,” Labbato said. “They (the Red Devils) might have only had a couple of shots on goal for the game. But hats off to them. They did what they had to do, stopping us from scoring, and we had opportunities and had open nets that we missed. We hit a crossbar and a post.
“To beat a keeper like that, you have to do something special, and we weren’t able to sneak it in to get a win in a game like this. Then it comes to PKs.”
Lions defender Leo Gabrek made a nice play to deny Daniel Lillard’s drive 3:30 before halftime. A pair of 35-yard shots (first a Floersch direct kick, then a Sam Johnson shot) marked the lone two Red Devil shots on frame in the first 66 minutes.
Jack Baderman entered Tuesday on an incredible roll (five goals in two regional games), and had scored the game-winning goal on a long free kick in Hinsdale Central’s 1-0 win over the Lions in early September. His talents became the defensive focus for Lyons on Tuesday.
“We knew Baderman was a good player, but we stopped him pretty well,” Lyons defender Jack Mazur said. “We had a very good game altogether. Solid defensively, communicating, and me and my partners Leo (Gabrek) , Nick Economou, Danny Thomas and the whole back line played solid together.”
Baderman finally had a chance on a nicely designed corner kick with 45 seconds left in regulation. After a short pass to Jeremy Yi, Baderman took a return pass and lined a tough angle chance over the crossbar.
Loebig (4:45 left in the second OT) had the first shot on goal by either team in the overtimes, before Lyons’ three-shot flurry and a Gilchrist shot off the side of the net with 55 seconds left wrapped up the field play part of the scoreless duel.
“That (low shot total) was a result of us not getting numbers forward like we wanted,” Wiggins said. “As much as it was on us to get that done, I think more credit has to go to LT for what they did in terms of making it difficult for us to break through.
“I’d also say that our backs were tremendous, and you see why Evan Floersch is without question the best defender in the state. I couldn’t be more proud of not only what he’s done, but Nick (Silva) and Will (McGowen) and Wes standing strong in goal.”
Mazur also had praise for the Red Devils defense.
“They have an All-Midwest kid (Floersch) back there, and their goalie is all-state, so it’s tough to beat that,” Mazur said.
Hinsdale Central advances to face Morton (24-1-2) in a rematch of a 3-0 loss to the Mustangs in the Sept. 6 Red Devil Cup championship match.
“They’re a great team,” Loebig said. “I think we were still learning as a squad at the beginning. I think we’re ready for them.”
Added Wiggins: “(Morton) will certainly create problems, but we know what to expect. What helps is having three days to prepare.”
Lyons reached the sectionals for the ninth time in the last 10 years this fall, only to see their successful run end on PKs.
“I can’t say enough good things about LT,” Wiggins said. “They’re well prepared, well organized. We’re fortunate to have them as a rival, because we respect them. It’s hard to see one of us get knocked out.”
This narrowest of losses was a tough finale for a talented group of eight Lyons senior starters led by Duncan, Hilling and Gilchrist.
“I just mentioned to them that I was very proud of all the hard work that they put in,” Labbato said of his team. “This one moment doesn’t diminish the fantastic careers that they’ve had and the season they put together. Every game has been tough.”
An elite schedule included an overtime loss to St. Charles East and a setback on PKs to Morton. Both came in tournament championship games.
“We go into every year trying to play some of the best teams, and this year was no different,” Labbato said. “We won a lot of games against great teams and lost a few, including a couple PK losses and an overtime loss to St. Charles. It’s hard to swallow because at the end of the day we were close to so many and didn’t get it done. But with that being said, you live to play these big games. You want to play every game against the best.”
Added Mazur: “I think we were ranked No. 2 in the state (in September), we reached the Pepsi Showdown finals and won a lot of big games. We just couldn’t pull this one out.
It was a good-fought game. PKs are hard to go down in, but what are you going to do?”
Success should continue well into the future for the Lions.
“Paul Fulop and Isaiah Nieves as sophomores did a fantastic job,” Labbato said. “I think they bring a lot of leadership and ability mixed in with what we know is a very good sophomore and junior group and a State Cup finalist freshman group. So we know there are kids in there that we can find and put together another really solid team.”
Lyon’s senior starters Tuesday were Leo Gabrek, Tim Nolan and Grant Thomas at defender spots; Hilling, Duncan and Danny Thomas in the midfield and Gilchrist and Daniel Gutierrez at forward.
Seniors Cam Dowling (goal) and Oliver Martinez (assist) each scored in LT’s 3-2 win over Oak Park and River Forest on Sept. 9, a game that eventually decided second place in the WSC Silver. Class or 2015 members Liam Sharkey and Pijus Dzidolikas also contributed to the Lion's wildly successful season.
Starting lineups
Lyons
GK-Donald Darrus
D-Leo Gabrek
D-Grant Thomas
D-John Mazur
D-Tim Nolan
M-Harry Hilling
M-Daniel Thomas
M-Patrick Duncan
M-Paul Fulop
F-Cole Gilchrist
F-Daniel Gutierrez
Hinsdale Central
GK-Wes Bergevin
D-Evan Floersch
D-Will McGowen
D-Nick Silva
M-Jimmy Walker
M-Bryan Loebig
M-Jack Baderman
M-Jeremy Yi
M-Mike Usher
F-Sam Johnson
F-Mitch Collins
Man of the Match: Wes Bergevin, Hinsdale Central
come up big in PKs to beat Lyons
Red Devils ride hot goalkeeper to victory
By Dave Owen
LA GRANGE -- Penalty kicks are a harsh way to have to decide a sectional soccer game.
Unless you have a goalkeeper like Wes Bergevin on your side.
After 100 minutes of scoreless soccer through regulation and two overtimes, the Hinsdale Central senior stopped two of four Lyons shots in the penalty kick session.
Meanwhile, Red Devils shooters converted all four PK tries to produce the win Tuesday that sent Hinsdale Central (15-4-4) to Saturday’s 11 a.m. Lyons sectional title game against No. 1 Morton.
“It’s what we’ve known all along – he’s one of the best goalkeepers in the state, if not in the Midwest,” Hinsdale Central coach Mike Wiggins said of Bergevin. “We’re very fortunate.”
Lyons' coach Paul Labbato saw what Wiggins talked about.
“He’s intimidating,” Labbato said. “His arms are long. When you see him (before PKs), you know you have to make it perfect.”
Patrick Duncan and Cole Gilchrist converted the first and fourth penalty kicks for Lyons.
Bergevin made saves on the Lions' middle PK tries, including a great stop to his right on the third shot.
But he deflected the spotlight from his saves onto the PK finishes by Red Devils scorers Jack Baderman, Evan Floersch, Justin Yi and Bryan Loebig.
“I was hoping the game wouldn’t go to PKs, but it did,” said Bergevin, the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match. “It’s unfortunate a game has to be decided on PKs, but when
it does, a lot of our guys stepped up and got the job done.
“After every practice we do PKs. We kind of get used to it, and a lot of guys practice over and over and know where to go and how to execute. They did a really good job tonight.”
The Red Devils are now 2-0 in games decided by PKs; they also beat Oak Park and River Forest Oct. 7.
“I’ve never felt more confident and prepared than the last two years going into (PKs),” Wiggins said, “because we have three goalkeepers that challenge our shooters regularly. We’ve spent quite a bit of time on this, and it showed in their confidence and the way they stepped up. And as much as we don’t like to see a game decided like this, it’s a reality of the game. We were prepared, and we did a good job.”
No. 4 shooter Loebig lined home the clinching PK as the Red Devils avenged their 2013 sectional loss to the Lions.
“Coach mentions one thing very often (about PK’s), and that’s ‘routine,’” Loebig said. “Just do the same thing every time. Walk up there with confidence. Goalies take notice in how you approach the ball, so you have to go with the approach that ‘I’m going to make this.’
“Them knocking us out of the playoffs last year, it’s really nice to be able to move on this time and return the favor.”
Through regulation and two overtimes, the Lions had the better of chances but no luck.
Lyons nearly had amazing luck four minutes in, when a Hinsdale Central clearing attempt by a defender in the box popped backwards high into the air and off the crossbar.
Bergevin stopped an end-line cross toward the crease by Lyons' Isaiah Nieves 11:30 before halftime, and two long Harry Hilling direct kicks late in the half proved dangerous. The latter 51-yard try 5:05 before the break required a short-hop block by Bergevin, and the rebound was sent over the net.
Those opportunities were mild compared to what followed in the second half.
The Lions’ Duncan lined a shot off the left post with 35:15 left in regulation, followed by Gilchrist’s rebound try that went inches wide of the same post.
Then with 2:50 left in the second overtime, Duncan burst in on the right side but had his initial shot stopped by Bergevin. Hilling’s long rebound try was blocked by Mike Usher. Lyons' Daniel Gutierrez gathered the ball left of the goal and launched a third try that Bergevin caught to end the flurry.
“It was very nerve-wracking,” Loebig said of the Lions’ chances. “Big credit to Lyons -- they’re a very good team. They move the ball around well and create great chances. I think we won it with our hearts today.”
The Lions (21-6) showed plenty of their own heart, somehow virtually stifling a deep and talented Hinsdale Central offense.
“I think it starts defensively,” Labbato said. “They (the Red Devils) might have only had a couple of shots on goal for the game. But hats off to them. They did what they had to do, stopping us from scoring, and we had opportunities and had open nets that we missed. We hit a crossbar and a post.
“To beat a keeper like that, you have to do something special, and we weren’t able to sneak it in to get a win in a game like this. Then it comes to PKs.”
Lions defender Leo Gabrek made a nice play to deny Daniel Lillard’s drive 3:30 before halftime. A pair of 35-yard shots (first a Floersch direct kick, then a Sam Johnson shot) marked the lone two Red Devil shots on frame in the first 66 minutes.
Jack Baderman entered Tuesday on an incredible roll (five goals in two regional games), and had scored the game-winning goal on a long free kick in Hinsdale Central’s 1-0 win over the Lions in early September. His talents became the defensive focus for Lyons on Tuesday.
“We knew Baderman was a good player, but we stopped him pretty well,” Lyons defender Jack Mazur said. “We had a very good game altogether. Solid defensively, communicating, and me and my partners Leo (Gabrek) , Nick Economou, Danny Thomas and the whole back line played solid together.”
Baderman finally had a chance on a nicely designed corner kick with 45 seconds left in regulation. After a short pass to Jeremy Yi, Baderman took a return pass and lined a tough angle chance over the crossbar.
Loebig (4:45 left in the second OT) had the first shot on goal by either team in the overtimes, before Lyons’ three-shot flurry and a Gilchrist shot off the side of the net with 55 seconds left wrapped up the field play part of the scoreless duel.
“That (low shot total) was a result of us not getting numbers forward like we wanted,” Wiggins said. “As much as it was on us to get that done, I think more credit has to go to LT for what they did in terms of making it difficult for us to break through.
“I’d also say that our backs were tremendous, and you see why Evan Floersch is without question the best defender in the state. I couldn’t be more proud of not only what he’s done, but Nick (Silva) and Will (McGowen) and Wes standing strong in goal.”
Mazur also had praise for the Red Devils defense.
“They have an All-Midwest kid (Floersch) back there, and their goalie is all-state, so it’s tough to beat that,” Mazur said.
Hinsdale Central advances to face Morton (24-1-2) in a rematch of a 3-0 loss to the Mustangs in the Sept. 6 Red Devil Cup championship match.
“They’re a great team,” Loebig said. “I think we were still learning as a squad at the beginning. I think we’re ready for them.”
Added Wiggins: “(Morton) will certainly create problems, but we know what to expect. What helps is having three days to prepare.”
Lyons reached the sectionals for the ninth time in the last 10 years this fall, only to see their successful run end on PKs.
“I can’t say enough good things about LT,” Wiggins said. “They’re well prepared, well organized. We’re fortunate to have them as a rival, because we respect them. It’s hard to see one of us get knocked out.”
This narrowest of losses was a tough finale for a talented group of eight Lyons senior starters led by Duncan, Hilling and Gilchrist.
“I just mentioned to them that I was very proud of all the hard work that they put in,” Labbato said of his team. “This one moment doesn’t diminish the fantastic careers that they’ve had and the season they put together. Every game has been tough.”
An elite schedule included an overtime loss to St. Charles East and a setback on PKs to Morton. Both came in tournament championship games.
“We go into every year trying to play some of the best teams, and this year was no different,” Labbato said. “We won a lot of games against great teams and lost a few, including a couple PK losses and an overtime loss to St. Charles. It’s hard to swallow because at the end of the day we were close to so many and didn’t get it done. But with that being said, you live to play these big games. You want to play every game against the best.”
Added Mazur: “I think we were ranked No. 2 in the state (in September), we reached the Pepsi Showdown finals and won a lot of big games. We just couldn’t pull this one out.
It was a good-fought game. PKs are hard to go down in, but what are you going to do?”
Success should continue well into the future for the Lions.
“Paul Fulop and Isaiah Nieves as sophomores did a fantastic job,” Labbato said. “I think they bring a lot of leadership and ability mixed in with what we know is a very good sophomore and junior group and a State Cup finalist freshman group. So we know there are kids in there that we can find and put together another really solid team.”
Lyon’s senior starters Tuesday were Leo Gabrek, Tim Nolan and Grant Thomas at defender spots; Hilling, Duncan and Danny Thomas in the midfield and Gilchrist and Daniel Gutierrez at forward.
Seniors Cam Dowling (goal) and Oliver Martinez (assist) each scored in LT’s 3-2 win over Oak Park and River Forest on Sept. 9, a game that eventually decided second place in the WSC Silver. Class or 2015 members Liam Sharkey and Pijus Dzidolikas also contributed to the Lion's wildly successful season.
Starting lineups
Lyons
GK-Donald Darrus
D-Leo Gabrek
D-Grant Thomas
D-John Mazur
D-Tim Nolan
M-Harry Hilling
M-Daniel Thomas
M-Patrick Duncan
M-Paul Fulop
F-Cole Gilchrist
F-Daniel Gutierrez
Hinsdale Central
GK-Wes Bergevin
D-Evan Floersch
D-Will McGowen
D-Nick Silva
M-Jimmy Walker
M-Bryan Loebig
M-Jack Baderman
M-Jeremy Yi
M-Mike Usher
F-Sam Johnson
F-Mitch Collins
Man of the Match: Wes Bergevin, Hinsdale Central