Morton midfielders help capture
Hinsdale Invitational crown
Big-gamer Romero triggers 3-0 win over Hinsdale C.
By Derek Wolff
HINSDALE — Hinsdale Central might have been the hosts for the final game of the 2014 Hinsdale Invitational Tournament, but it was the visiting side that owned the field from the opening whistle.
Morton scored twice in the first 15 minutes Saturday night and added another late tally to defeat the Red Devils 3-0 and claim the title of tournament champions.
Senior midfielder Mario Romero was electric every time he touched the ball and opened the scoring in the seventh minute when he ripped a shot upper 90 from 27 yards out.
After a ball played in toward the goal was redirected back to Romero, he shot it in on its descent without needing to settle it first. Red Devils goalkeeper Wes Bergevin had no chance on the play, a recurring theme throughout the night.
“I was just hoping that the defender would head it toward the middle and I was just right there hoping to get the ball,” said Romero, Chicagoland Soccer's Man of the Match. “Once I saw it bouncing, I just hit it straight, and thankfully it went inside the goal.”
Seven minutes later, Morton struck again. This time Romero dribbled through three defenders before slotting a perfect pass to midfielder Edgar Garcia, who drilled the easy chance to double the lead.
Morton coach Mike Caruso has been able to work with Romero from the get-go and said his experience in big-game situations and ability to control the pace of play has been paramount to his side’s success.
“He’s been with us for four years in that position and he controls the tempo of the game,” Caruso said. “He doesn’t panic or anything, and that’s what you need from a center midfielder. As a senior, he knows how to play. He’s been through the battles already, and that’s big to have him at center mid at the high school level.”
Hinsdale Central made needed adjustments at halftime and forced the Mustangs to play over the top more, but the quickness of Morton’s midfielders enabled them to still find open space.
Leo Delgado’s goal in the 76th minute just piled on to the celebration and completed the trifecta for the Mustangs midfield playing in the 4-3-3.
Caruso said his attack might be a little unorthodox compared to conventional soccer tactics but is certainly effective.
“That’s where we build the attack from, the midfield. It’s kind of the opposite. Our forwards are more of the supporting role to get our mids through. Definitely our midfielders came through today with Mario and Edgar and Leo. They’re talented players and if they get the ball on their foot they’re dangerous.”
Both sides suffered injuries in the game, with striker Sam Johnson coming off the pitch for the Red Devils in the 28th minute after pulling up lame on an attacking run. Romero missed some time halfway through the second half after a knee-to-knee collision.
Hinsdale South immediately took charge, looking to cut the lead in half. One minute after Romero subbed out, junior forward Mitch Collins had the best scoring chance of the night for the Red Devils on a headed attempt that missed the goal by inches.
It was the closest Central came to getting back in the game.
With Johnson unable to return to the pitch and after losing junior midfielder Bryan Loebig to an undisclosed foot injury on Thursday, the Red Devils had the added detriment of playing against Lincoln-Way East earlier on Saturday as well.
But coach Michael Wiggins wouldn’t allow attrition or fatigue to be excuses and focused on the hard work his side did to make the final, as well as praising his opposition.
“I think it’s a credit to our guys,” Wiggins said. “Any time you put yourself in a position where you’re competing in a tournament-type format where you’re looking to get to a championship, it’s not easy. When you’re facing a team like Morton, which year in and year out is always a good program that’s going to challenge you, that’s what we’re looking for in our schedule this time of year. I couldn’t be more pleased with our guys and the way they competed.”
Both sides carry high aspirations for the season and said the match was a good early measuring stick.
Hinsdale Central defender Evan Floersch took the loss in stride and was looking forward to the start of next week when the conference season begins.
“I think this team this year has the ability to bounce back very quickly,” Floersch said. “The little mistakes, we’ll correct them and every single person on this team is willing to listen to coach and buy into his system. Once we do I feel like we’ll be one of the most dangerous teams in the state.”
The Red Devils have not lost a conference game in two seasons.
For the Mustangs, the early success is hard earned, said Garcia, but his team is looking at the big picture.
“We all hope to go to state,” Garcia said. “That’s our main goal, that’s everybody’s goal. We know we have to represent the school. It’s been far all the time, and hopefully we can make it that far.”
Though the matchup was early in the season, with the skill of the two sides it’s easy to see another meeting down the road in the postseason come October.
When asked if he might run into Morton again at some point, Wiggins replied, “We welcome the opportunity.”
Starting lineups
Morton
G-Ian Chacon
D-Rafael Herrera
D-Diego Aguilar
D-Hector Luna
SW-Edgar Olaguez
M-Mario Romero
M-Edgar Garcia
M-Leo Delgado
F-Ronnie Rivera
F-Steven Tovar
F-Jorge Mercado
Hinsdale Central
G-Wes Bergevin
D-Nick Silva
D-Daniel Lillard
D-Evan Floersch
M-Jimmy Walker
M-Justin Yi
M-Jack Baderman
M-Mikey Usher
F-Sam Johnson
F-Austin Beard
F-Jake Semba
Referees: Mike Lichtfuss, Dylan Kramer, Dave Rubini
Man of the Match: Mario Romero, Morton
Hinsdale Invitational crown
Big-gamer Romero triggers 3-0 win over Hinsdale C.
By Derek Wolff
HINSDALE — Hinsdale Central might have been the hosts for the final game of the 2014 Hinsdale Invitational Tournament, but it was the visiting side that owned the field from the opening whistle.
Morton scored twice in the first 15 minutes Saturday night and added another late tally to defeat the Red Devils 3-0 and claim the title of tournament champions.
Senior midfielder Mario Romero was electric every time he touched the ball and opened the scoring in the seventh minute when he ripped a shot upper 90 from 27 yards out.
After a ball played in toward the goal was redirected back to Romero, he shot it in on its descent without needing to settle it first. Red Devils goalkeeper Wes Bergevin had no chance on the play, a recurring theme throughout the night.
“I was just hoping that the defender would head it toward the middle and I was just right there hoping to get the ball,” said Romero, Chicagoland Soccer's Man of the Match. “Once I saw it bouncing, I just hit it straight, and thankfully it went inside the goal.”
Seven minutes later, Morton struck again. This time Romero dribbled through three defenders before slotting a perfect pass to midfielder Edgar Garcia, who drilled the easy chance to double the lead.
Morton coach Mike Caruso has been able to work with Romero from the get-go and said his experience in big-game situations and ability to control the pace of play has been paramount to his side’s success.
“He’s been with us for four years in that position and he controls the tempo of the game,” Caruso said. “He doesn’t panic or anything, and that’s what you need from a center midfielder. As a senior, he knows how to play. He’s been through the battles already, and that’s big to have him at center mid at the high school level.”
Hinsdale Central made needed adjustments at halftime and forced the Mustangs to play over the top more, but the quickness of Morton’s midfielders enabled them to still find open space.
Leo Delgado’s goal in the 76th minute just piled on to the celebration and completed the trifecta for the Mustangs midfield playing in the 4-3-3.
Caruso said his attack might be a little unorthodox compared to conventional soccer tactics but is certainly effective.
“That’s where we build the attack from, the midfield. It’s kind of the opposite. Our forwards are more of the supporting role to get our mids through. Definitely our midfielders came through today with Mario and Edgar and Leo. They’re talented players and if they get the ball on their foot they’re dangerous.”
Both sides suffered injuries in the game, with striker Sam Johnson coming off the pitch for the Red Devils in the 28th minute after pulling up lame on an attacking run. Romero missed some time halfway through the second half after a knee-to-knee collision.
Hinsdale South immediately took charge, looking to cut the lead in half. One minute after Romero subbed out, junior forward Mitch Collins had the best scoring chance of the night for the Red Devils on a headed attempt that missed the goal by inches.
It was the closest Central came to getting back in the game.
With Johnson unable to return to the pitch and after losing junior midfielder Bryan Loebig to an undisclosed foot injury on Thursday, the Red Devils had the added detriment of playing against Lincoln-Way East earlier on Saturday as well.
But coach Michael Wiggins wouldn’t allow attrition or fatigue to be excuses and focused on the hard work his side did to make the final, as well as praising his opposition.
“I think it’s a credit to our guys,” Wiggins said. “Any time you put yourself in a position where you’re competing in a tournament-type format where you’re looking to get to a championship, it’s not easy. When you’re facing a team like Morton, which year in and year out is always a good program that’s going to challenge you, that’s what we’re looking for in our schedule this time of year. I couldn’t be more pleased with our guys and the way they competed.”
Both sides carry high aspirations for the season and said the match was a good early measuring stick.
Hinsdale Central defender Evan Floersch took the loss in stride and was looking forward to the start of next week when the conference season begins.
“I think this team this year has the ability to bounce back very quickly,” Floersch said. “The little mistakes, we’ll correct them and every single person on this team is willing to listen to coach and buy into his system. Once we do I feel like we’ll be one of the most dangerous teams in the state.”
The Red Devils have not lost a conference game in two seasons.
For the Mustangs, the early success is hard earned, said Garcia, but his team is looking at the big picture.
“We all hope to go to state,” Garcia said. “That’s our main goal, that’s everybody’s goal. We know we have to represent the school. It’s been far all the time, and hopefully we can make it that far.”
Though the matchup was early in the season, with the skill of the two sides it’s easy to see another meeting down the road in the postseason come October.
When asked if he might run into Morton again at some point, Wiggins replied, “We welcome the opportunity.”
Starting lineups
Morton
G-Ian Chacon
D-Rafael Herrera
D-Diego Aguilar
D-Hector Luna
SW-Edgar Olaguez
M-Mario Romero
M-Edgar Garcia
M-Leo Delgado
F-Ronnie Rivera
F-Steven Tovar
F-Jorge Mercado
Hinsdale Central
G-Wes Bergevin
D-Nick Silva
D-Daniel Lillard
D-Evan Floersch
M-Jimmy Walker
M-Justin Yi
M-Jack Baderman
M-Mikey Usher
F-Sam Johnson
F-Austin Beard
F-Jake Semba
Referees: Mike Lichtfuss, Dylan Kramer, Dave Rubini
Man of the Match: Mario Romero, Morton