Oak Park and River Forest goes down battling in sectional semifinal loss to Morton
Mustangs find answer for Huskies' second-half pressure
By Dave Owen
LA GRANGE -- Reeling from Morton’s fast start, Oak Park and River Forest refused to let their great late-season run end quietly.
Down 3-0 at halftime Tuesday night, the Huskies accomplished something early in the second half that few teams have done all year: put Morton (24-1-2) on its heels.
Oak Park and River Forest (13-6-1) drew within 3-1 with 35:23 left to play when, off a throw-in and a short pass from freshman Andrew Barkidija, Harry Engoren chipped a 15-yarder inside the right post.
The Huskies were just getting started. The next six minutes produced three more great chances (including a Kirk Svensson header off the crossbar and a Joe Gullo point-blank header just wide).
And while Morton answered the wave of threats with its own offensive to win 5-2, Oak Park and River Forest showed more of the same battling spirit that turned their 3-4 record in early September into a regional championship.
“We just kind of molded,” Oak Park and River Forest senior defender Quentin Drane said. “We just started to play our type of soccer and had a great run at it.
“We fought. We left everything on the field and gave it our all the entire game. They (Morton) were just a better team and came out on top today. They were good attacking. They drove the baseline and always found that open guy that could finish well. They scored right away, which hurt, but we tried not to put our heads down and kept fighting.”
Morton’s explosive start and a subsequent tough break left the underdog Huskies on the defensive early.
In just the second minute of play, Morton’s Rigo Lozano put home the rebound of a Rafael Herrera shot to put the Mustangs up 1-0.
"It was nice to get on top of them early to take the wind out of their sails,” Morton coach Mike Caruso said.
A bad break for Oak Park and River Forest came 20:48 before halftime, when Herrera’s deflection in front of a Leo Delgado cross grazed off the post and was ruled to have crossed the goal line for a 2-0 Morton lead. The Huskies felt otherwise.
“I’m 60 yards away, so I’m not sure,” Huskies coach Paul Wright said, “but for us to pick up the ball and go to punt it and not even think about it … but it is what it is. The kids were saying it was right on the line, and they picked it up.”
That tough break was quickly compounded by one of many big plays from Morton midfielder Jorge Mercado.
Just back after missing time because of an injury, Mercado took a 15-yard free kick right of the net with 18:51 left in the half. With Herrera racing in front of goalkeeper Will Dunne from the left side, Mercado lined a shot inside the far post to boost the lead to 3-0.
“I was actually trying to pass it to the forward (Herrera),” said Mercado, the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match. “He faked like he was going to touch it; the goalie went with the fake, and that’s how I scored.”
Mercado missed the last part of the regular season and the regional opener last week, but looked sharp Tuesday.
“Everyone was telling me to keep up with my (injury rehab) work, and I did that,” Mercado said. “Then I went back to practice, and I feel comfortable.”
Mercado later sprung Delgado in on a breakaway, but Dunne came up big with a diving save on an 8-yard shot 3:05 before halftime to keep the score 3-0.
Engoren and Evan Kindler contained dangerous Mercado corner kicks late in the half as well, as the Huskies geared up for a very different start to the second half.
“We gave up that first goal in the first two minutes, and we played scared for about 10 minutes after that,” Wright said of the first half. “We dug ourselves a ditch to try to get out.
“In the second half we possessed the ball a little more, not so much kick and chase. We tried to play it to space, and we looked really good. We’re playing with an extra guy on top, and we’re taking a guy out of the back, so we’re exposed a little bit. But if you don’t get goals, you’re not going to win.”
Engoren’s seventh goal of the season and the ensuing Oak Park and River Forest onslaught was answered with 27:51 to go. Mercado’s pass to Edgar Garcia resulted in a diving stop by Dunne of an 8-yard shot, but Herrera put home the rebound.
Five minutes later, Edgar Olaguez headed in a nice Romero cross. The Morton lead grew to 5-1.
“They have really good possession,” Oak Park and River Forest senior Purvis Funches said. “They’re a solid team with a lot of connected passes. There’s a reason why they’re No. 1 in the state.”
But with his team down 5-1, Funches quickly provided the next evidence of the Huskies refusal to quit.
Funches lined a 25-yard shot off the crossbar with 21:30 left, with Seamus Blaha sending the rebound just wide of the post.
Then with 3:03 to go, a 40-yard direct kick by Drane was deflected to Funches, who drove a 20-yard shot inside the right post to make the score 5-2.
“In the second half, we tried to come back, at least get a goal and maybe try to even it up,” Funches said. “We finished it up solid. It ended up being 2-2 in the second half, so we were happy with that. We never stopped fighting.
“We had this quote that we’re the most underestimated team in the state. We didn’t come out with a win this time, but we’re still pretty happy.”
Wright was impressed by his team’s finish, especially against a Morton team that shut out quality teams such as Hinsdale Central, Downers Grove South, Neuqua Valley and Leyden this season.
“We got two goals and were still coming at them,” Wright said. “It’s just a shame we didn’t play the first 40 (minutes) like the last 40. We would have given ourselves a much better chance at it for sure.
“We went out and battled. These kids didn’t quit, they didn’t get chippy and they played really hard throughout the game.”
Refusing to go quietly Tuesday was an impressive end to a strong season. The Huskies’ 10-2 record down the stretch included losses only to Lyons Sectional finalists Hinsdale Central (in penalty kicks at Hinsdale Oct. 7) and Morton, the No. 1 and 2 seeds.
“I’m really proud of all the guys,” Drane said. “We fought hard all season, and we earned everything we got. I’m glad we got as far as we did. I wish we could have got more, but it is what it is.”
Drane was part of an excellent senior group that also included Funches; three-year varsity players in Engoren, defender Mavin Gill, midfielder Noah Fluharty and midfielder/goalkeeper Sam Lisak; defenders Kirk Svensson, Quinn Neuman and Graham Nagle-Deamer; and midfielders Gullo and Blaha.
Seniors Paul Clancy, Sebastian Johnsen and Joey Pasternak also contributed in their first, full-varsity seasons.
“We had a phenomenal senior class,” Wright said. “I don’t want to forget anybody. We have a freshman up and a couple of sophomores, and to make them feel a part of the team is a huge thing. That leadership is really nice to have.
“It took a little while at the beginning of the season for us to find our rhythm, and we did. A lot of it was Harry Engoren and all the seniors’ leadership.”
Now a father himself, Wright feels a special connection to the 2014 seniors. Gullo and Blaha are the latest of a long line of siblings who have played for him in the Oak Park and River Forest boys and girls soccer programs.
“I’ve been here 12 years, coached a lot of soccer and learned a lot from these parents,” Wright said.
The senior players have their own great memories.
“It was an honor playing with these guys,” Drane said. “I’ve played with most of them most of my life. I wouldn’t ask for any other team. My only regret is that I’m going to miss playing with them any longer.”
Starting lineups
Oak Park and River Forest
GK-Will Dunne
D-Mavin Gill
D-Quentin Drane
D-Kirk Svensson
D-Quinn Neuman
M-Evan Kindler
M-Noah Fluharty
M-Harry Engoren
M-Joe Gullo
F-Andrew Barkidija
F-Zach El Metennani
Morton
GK-Ian Chacon
D-Alexis Marin
D-Hector Luna
D-Diego Aguilar
D-Edgar Olaguez
M-Mario Romero
M-Jorge Mercado
M-Rigo Lozano
M-Leo Delgado
F-Edgar Garcia
F-Rafael Herrera
Man of the Match: Jorge Mercado, Morton
Officials: Ed Joras, Jose Gonzalez, Dorin Dabolea
Mustangs find answer for Huskies' second-half pressure
By Dave Owen
LA GRANGE -- Reeling from Morton’s fast start, Oak Park and River Forest refused to let their great late-season run end quietly.
Down 3-0 at halftime Tuesday night, the Huskies accomplished something early in the second half that few teams have done all year: put Morton (24-1-2) on its heels.
Oak Park and River Forest (13-6-1) drew within 3-1 with 35:23 left to play when, off a throw-in and a short pass from freshman Andrew Barkidija, Harry Engoren chipped a 15-yarder inside the right post.
The Huskies were just getting started. The next six minutes produced three more great chances (including a Kirk Svensson header off the crossbar and a Joe Gullo point-blank header just wide).
And while Morton answered the wave of threats with its own offensive to win 5-2, Oak Park and River Forest showed more of the same battling spirit that turned their 3-4 record in early September into a regional championship.
“We just kind of molded,” Oak Park and River Forest senior defender Quentin Drane said. “We just started to play our type of soccer and had a great run at it.
“We fought. We left everything on the field and gave it our all the entire game. They (Morton) were just a better team and came out on top today. They were good attacking. They drove the baseline and always found that open guy that could finish well. They scored right away, which hurt, but we tried not to put our heads down and kept fighting.”
Morton’s explosive start and a subsequent tough break left the underdog Huskies on the defensive early.
In just the second minute of play, Morton’s Rigo Lozano put home the rebound of a Rafael Herrera shot to put the Mustangs up 1-0.
"It was nice to get on top of them early to take the wind out of their sails,” Morton coach Mike Caruso said.
A bad break for Oak Park and River Forest came 20:48 before halftime, when Herrera’s deflection in front of a Leo Delgado cross grazed off the post and was ruled to have crossed the goal line for a 2-0 Morton lead. The Huskies felt otherwise.
“I’m 60 yards away, so I’m not sure,” Huskies coach Paul Wright said, “but for us to pick up the ball and go to punt it and not even think about it … but it is what it is. The kids were saying it was right on the line, and they picked it up.”
That tough break was quickly compounded by one of many big plays from Morton midfielder Jorge Mercado.
Just back after missing time because of an injury, Mercado took a 15-yard free kick right of the net with 18:51 left in the half. With Herrera racing in front of goalkeeper Will Dunne from the left side, Mercado lined a shot inside the far post to boost the lead to 3-0.
“I was actually trying to pass it to the forward (Herrera),” said Mercado, the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match. “He faked like he was going to touch it; the goalie went with the fake, and that’s how I scored.”
Mercado missed the last part of the regular season and the regional opener last week, but looked sharp Tuesday.
“Everyone was telling me to keep up with my (injury rehab) work, and I did that,” Mercado said. “Then I went back to practice, and I feel comfortable.”
Mercado later sprung Delgado in on a breakaway, but Dunne came up big with a diving save on an 8-yard shot 3:05 before halftime to keep the score 3-0.
Engoren and Evan Kindler contained dangerous Mercado corner kicks late in the half as well, as the Huskies geared up for a very different start to the second half.
“We gave up that first goal in the first two minutes, and we played scared for about 10 minutes after that,” Wright said of the first half. “We dug ourselves a ditch to try to get out.
“In the second half we possessed the ball a little more, not so much kick and chase. We tried to play it to space, and we looked really good. We’re playing with an extra guy on top, and we’re taking a guy out of the back, so we’re exposed a little bit. But if you don’t get goals, you’re not going to win.”
Engoren’s seventh goal of the season and the ensuing Oak Park and River Forest onslaught was answered with 27:51 to go. Mercado’s pass to Edgar Garcia resulted in a diving stop by Dunne of an 8-yard shot, but Herrera put home the rebound.
Five minutes later, Edgar Olaguez headed in a nice Romero cross. The Morton lead grew to 5-1.
“They have really good possession,” Oak Park and River Forest senior Purvis Funches said. “They’re a solid team with a lot of connected passes. There’s a reason why they’re No. 1 in the state.”
But with his team down 5-1, Funches quickly provided the next evidence of the Huskies refusal to quit.
Funches lined a 25-yard shot off the crossbar with 21:30 left, with Seamus Blaha sending the rebound just wide of the post.
Then with 3:03 to go, a 40-yard direct kick by Drane was deflected to Funches, who drove a 20-yard shot inside the right post to make the score 5-2.
“In the second half, we tried to come back, at least get a goal and maybe try to even it up,” Funches said. “We finished it up solid. It ended up being 2-2 in the second half, so we were happy with that. We never stopped fighting.
“We had this quote that we’re the most underestimated team in the state. We didn’t come out with a win this time, but we’re still pretty happy.”
Wright was impressed by his team’s finish, especially against a Morton team that shut out quality teams such as Hinsdale Central, Downers Grove South, Neuqua Valley and Leyden this season.
“We got two goals and were still coming at them,” Wright said. “It’s just a shame we didn’t play the first 40 (minutes) like the last 40. We would have given ourselves a much better chance at it for sure.
“We went out and battled. These kids didn’t quit, they didn’t get chippy and they played really hard throughout the game.”
Refusing to go quietly Tuesday was an impressive end to a strong season. The Huskies’ 10-2 record down the stretch included losses only to Lyons Sectional finalists Hinsdale Central (in penalty kicks at Hinsdale Oct. 7) and Morton, the No. 1 and 2 seeds.
“I’m really proud of all the guys,” Drane said. “We fought hard all season, and we earned everything we got. I’m glad we got as far as we did. I wish we could have got more, but it is what it is.”
Drane was part of an excellent senior group that also included Funches; three-year varsity players in Engoren, defender Mavin Gill, midfielder Noah Fluharty and midfielder/goalkeeper Sam Lisak; defenders Kirk Svensson, Quinn Neuman and Graham Nagle-Deamer; and midfielders Gullo and Blaha.
Seniors Paul Clancy, Sebastian Johnsen and Joey Pasternak also contributed in their first, full-varsity seasons.
“We had a phenomenal senior class,” Wright said. “I don’t want to forget anybody. We have a freshman up and a couple of sophomores, and to make them feel a part of the team is a huge thing. That leadership is really nice to have.
“It took a little while at the beginning of the season for us to find our rhythm, and we did. A lot of it was Harry Engoren and all the seniors’ leadership.”
Now a father himself, Wright feels a special connection to the 2014 seniors. Gullo and Blaha are the latest of a long line of siblings who have played for him in the Oak Park and River Forest boys and girls soccer programs.
“I’ve been here 12 years, coached a lot of soccer and learned a lot from these parents,” Wright said.
The senior players have their own great memories.
“It was an honor playing with these guys,” Drane said. “I’ve played with most of them most of my life. I wouldn’t ask for any other team. My only regret is that I’m going to miss playing with them any longer.”
Starting lineups
Oak Park and River Forest
GK-Will Dunne
D-Mavin Gill
D-Quentin Drane
D-Kirk Svensson
D-Quinn Neuman
M-Evan Kindler
M-Noah Fluharty
M-Harry Engoren
M-Joe Gullo
F-Andrew Barkidija
F-Zach El Metennani
Morton
GK-Ian Chacon
D-Alexis Marin
D-Hector Luna
D-Diego Aguilar
D-Edgar Olaguez
M-Mario Romero
M-Jorge Mercado
M-Rigo Lozano
M-Leo Delgado
F-Edgar Garcia
F-Rafael Herrera
Man of the Match: Jorge Mercado, Morton
Officials: Ed Joras, Jose Gonzalez, Dorin Dabolea