Saint Viator makes
memories with 4th place finish
Lions become 9th team in school history to win state trophy
By Matt Le Cren
HOFFMAN ESTATES – If Saint Viator coach Mike Taylor had his way, the third place matches at the IHSA state finals would be abolished.
It is a sentiment shared by many, though few think it will happen any time soon.
“It is a tough game to play when you both come off a loss,” Taylor said Saturday. “Be nice if they just gave you a Final Four trophy. Each team gets a trophy and it doesn’t say third or fourth.”
But Saint Viator and Springfield had to play the consolation game and neither side was enthused. Springfield won 1-0 on a late goal from Kaleb Cheung.
In the end, the result wasn’t the important thing for Taylor.
“As I told [the players] yesterday, this game today is for the parents,” Taylor said. “It’s played for mom and dad in the stands.
“We played all 23 players. I told them we were going to play all 23 players no matter what happened and that each would get at least eight minutes.”
Don’t get Taylor wrong – he still wanted to win the match and even picked up a yellow card for a disagreement with the officials. But this game was more about participation than the result.
“I think it’s important later on in life when they come back to school and their name is not only on the trophy but they can also say, ‘I played there,’” Taylor said. “That’s what is most important. One team wins the championship and the other teams experience a ride, and I’ve always said it’s a ride that makes the difference. We made a great ride.”
Of course, the victors will always have a slightly different attitude than the loser and Springfield was no different.
The Senators (26-4) scored the game’s only goal with 7:16 left in the second half when Cheung headed home a short, high cross from Logan Willard.
“My goal was pretty simple,” Cheung said. “Logan had a great ball to me, and they left me open. It was a simple finish. I thank the Lord for that.”
Springfield had the bulk of the few decent scoring chances. Kelby Phillips hit the left post at the 8:45 mark of the first half and also saw a hard shot saved by Saint Viator goalie Kevin Napoleon with 17:30 to go in the second half.
“This is the hardest game to play, but we wanted them to come out and play their hearts out,” Springfield coach Pat Phillips said. “I told them only two teams can finish their season with a win in our class and we might as well be one of them.”
The Lions (21-7-1) never sustained any offense and managed just five shots. But they played well enough defensively.
“We had opportunities, they had opportunities,” Taylor said. “It was going to be one of those where one goal is going to win it. I thought it would go to PKs, but they put one away.”
That goal made a difference in the post-game mood, especially for Cheung, who ended his prep career by scoring his 17th goal of the season.
“There’s a big difference [between finishing third or fourth],” said Cheung, Chicagoland Soccer’s Man of the Match. “You don’t want to end your season, especially as a senior, on a loss.
“Leaving happy, that’s the way to go with your boys, your family, your team. That’s mainly the difference. I don’t think it’s as much the number on the trophy as just finishing strong with your team.”
Saint Viator rode a 10-game winning streak into finals weekend.
“At the beginning of the year I don’t think anyone really thought we were going to be in this position, playing in the final four last weekend,” Saint Viator defender Chris Beiersdorf said. “We had our ups and downs throughout the entire season. We replaced our entire back line. I’m just proud of where we are today.”
Beiersdorf was one of nine new starters and 12 seniors on the squad that became the ninth in school history to reach the state semifinals and one of the least likely to do so.
“The seniors wrote their own chapter,” Taylor said. “I’ve been here 27 years and nine of my teams have made it here. Eighteen haven’t so they’ve actually accomplished something that 18 other teams have not. So they are an elite group, and I’m proud of them for that.
“We had to replace nine starters, and we jelled. And we had some trouble at the beginning. Then they put together a helluva season. First, second, third or fourth, the only one that really matters is numero uno. The others are like kissing your sister.”
The bond between the Lions and their veteran coach, who won his 500th career game on Oct. 14, was obvious during the awards ceremony.
“I’ve expressed my undying love for every one of them,” Taylor said. “I treat them like my own kids; that’s why when they come off the medal stand I give them a hug. I have every time we’ve been there.
“When I have to discipline them I discipline them like my own kids. They walk through the hallways of the school, and I see them having a down day, I say, ‘Come give me a hug.’ And they do.”
Beiersdorf, along with fellow seniors Ryan Carroll, McGuire Korab, Brandon Braun, Woojin Son, Aidan Williams, Zach Gyuricza, Javier Romero, Nick Pugesek, Timothy Schade, Vito Brunetti and Aaron Tres, won’t soon forget Taylor.
“I think I’m going to miss him being on my rear all the time, pushing me to be the best I can be,” Beiersdorf said, “because I don’t think I’ve met anyone like this guy sitting right here next to me.”
Starting lineups
Saint Viator
GK Aaron Tres
D Ryan Carroll
D Brandon Braun
D Chris Beiersdorf
M Javier Romero
M Miles McDonnell
M Anthony Pineda
M Patrick Hickey
F Zach Gyuricza
F Sean Lonigro
F Aidan Williams
Springfield
GK Evan Wright
D Jacob Gordy
D Carter Connolley
D Eri Heumann
D Colin Tierney
D Jack Sherrick
M Luke Reiser
M Kelby Phillips
M Evan Kuhn
F Nate Cheung
F Logan Willard
Man of the Match: Kaleb Cheung, Springfield
Referees: Thomas Schaefer (center), Chris Rudolph, John Vargo, Mario Castillo (fourth)
memories with 4th place finish
Lions become 9th team in school history to win state trophy
By Matt Le Cren
HOFFMAN ESTATES – If Saint Viator coach Mike Taylor had his way, the third place matches at the IHSA state finals would be abolished.
It is a sentiment shared by many, though few think it will happen any time soon.
“It is a tough game to play when you both come off a loss,” Taylor said Saturday. “Be nice if they just gave you a Final Four trophy. Each team gets a trophy and it doesn’t say third or fourth.”
But Saint Viator and Springfield had to play the consolation game and neither side was enthused. Springfield won 1-0 on a late goal from Kaleb Cheung.
In the end, the result wasn’t the important thing for Taylor.
“As I told [the players] yesterday, this game today is for the parents,” Taylor said. “It’s played for mom and dad in the stands.
“We played all 23 players. I told them we were going to play all 23 players no matter what happened and that each would get at least eight minutes.”
Don’t get Taylor wrong – he still wanted to win the match and even picked up a yellow card for a disagreement with the officials. But this game was more about participation than the result.
“I think it’s important later on in life when they come back to school and their name is not only on the trophy but they can also say, ‘I played there,’” Taylor said. “That’s what is most important. One team wins the championship and the other teams experience a ride, and I’ve always said it’s a ride that makes the difference. We made a great ride.”
Of course, the victors will always have a slightly different attitude than the loser and Springfield was no different.
The Senators (26-4) scored the game’s only goal with 7:16 left in the second half when Cheung headed home a short, high cross from Logan Willard.
“My goal was pretty simple,” Cheung said. “Logan had a great ball to me, and they left me open. It was a simple finish. I thank the Lord for that.”
Springfield had the bulk of the few decent scoring chances. Kelby Phillips hit the left post at the 8:45 mark of the first half and also saw a hard shot saved by Saint Viator goalie Kevin Napoleon with 17:30 to go in the second half.
“This is the hardest game to play, but we wanted them to come out and play their hearts out,” Springfield coach Pat Phillips said. “I told them only two teams can finish their season with a win in our class and we might as well be one of them.”
The Lions (21-7-1) never sustained any offense and managed just five shots. But they played well enough defensively.
“We had opportunities, they had opportunities,” Taylor said. “It was going to be one of those where one goal is going to win it. I thought it would go to PKs, but they put one away.”
That goal made a difference in the post-game mood, especially for Cheung, who ended his prep career by scoring his 17th goal of the season.
“There’s a big difference [between finishing third or fourth],” said Cheung, Chicagoland Soccer’s Man of the Match. “You don’t want to end your season, especially as a senior, on a loss.
“Leaving happy, that’s the way to go with your boys, your family, your team. That’s mainly the difference. I don’t think it’s as much the number on the trophy as just finishing strong with your team.”
Saint Viator rode a 10-game winning streak into finals weekend.
“At the beginning of the year I don’t think anyone really thought we were going to be in this position, playing in the final four last weekend,” Saint Viator defender Chris Beiersdorf said. “We had our ups and downs throughout the entire season. We replaced our entire back line. I’m just proud of where we are today.”
Beiersdorf was one of nine new starters and 12 seniors on the squad that became the ninth in school history to reach the state semifinals and one of the least likely to do so.
“The seniors wrote their own chapter,” Taylor said. “I’ve been here 27 years and nine of my teams have made it here. Eighteen haven’t so they’ve actually accomplished something that 18 other teams have not. So they are an elite group, and I’m proud of them for that.
“We had to replace nine starters, and we jelled. And we had some trouble at the beginning. Then they put together a helluva season. First, second, third or fourth, the only one that really matters is numero uno. The others are like kissing your sister.”
The bond between the Lions and their veteran coach, who won his 500th career game on Oct. 14, was obvious during the awards ceremony.
“I’ve expressed my undying love for every one of them,” Taylor said. “I treat them like my own kids; that’s why when they come off the medal stand I give them a hug. I have every time we’ve been there.
“When I have to discipline them I discipline them like my own kids. They walk through the hallways of the school, and I see them having a down day, I say, ‘Come give me a hug.’ And they do.”
Beiersdorf, along with fellow seniors Ryan Carroll, McGuire Korab, Brandon Braun, Woojin Son, Aidan Williams, Zach Gyuricza, Javier Romero, Nick Pugesek, Timothy Schade, Vito Brunetti and Aaron Tres, won’t soon forget Taylor.
“I think I’m going to miss him being on my rear all the time, pushing me to be the best I can be,” Beiersdorf said, “because I don’t think I’ve met anyone like this guy sitting right here next to me.”
Starting lineups
Saint Viator
GK Aaron Tres
D Ryan Carroll
D Brandon Braun
D Chris Beiersdorf
M Javier Romero
M Miles McDonnell
M Anthony Pineda
M Patrick Hickey
F Zach Gyuricza
F Sean Lonigro
F Aidan Williams
Springfield
GK Evan Wright
D Jacob Gordy
D Carter Connolley
D Eri Heumann
D Colin Tierney
D Jack Sherrick
M Luke Reiser
M Kelby Phillips
M Evan Kuhn
F Nate Cheung
F Logan Willard
Man of the Match: Kaleb Cheung, Springfield
Referees: Thomas Schaefer (center), Chris Rudolph, John Vargo, Mario Castillo (fourth)