Saint Viator marches back to state
Earns 2nd Final Four in 3 years with 5-2 win over Foreman
By Rusty Silber
LINCOLNSHIRE -- Chris Beiersdorf makes a big difference for Saint Viator when it comes to throw-ins and free kicks. Beiersdorf has so much accuracy that the Lions can create goals off his uncanny ability.
He did that on a number of occasions in Tuesday night's Class 2A supersectional that led to a couple of goals and other chances that hit the post and crossbar.
"My throws and kicks are key factors to how we play the ball game," said Beiersdorf, who has been a part of 15 goals this season. "They were on point here tonight. Our team keeps progressing, and now we're going to state."
Saint Viator’s 5-2 victory over Foreman in the Class 2A Stevenson Supersectional punched the Lions ticket to the state semifinals.
Aidan Williams led the Lions with a pair of goals. Ryan Carroll, Anthony Pineda and Jack Hartman had the others.
Saint Viator (21-5-1) returns to the start finals for the second time in three years (2012). The Lions will meet St. Joseph at 3 p.m. Friday at Hoffman Estates High School.
St. Joseph reached the state semifinals with a 2-1 victory over Marian on Tuesday in the Lemont Supersectional.
Saint Viator stayed at least one step ahead of Foreman for much of the game.
"I thought the boys played well," Saint Viator coach Mike Taylor said. "Aidan (Williams) and Zach (Gyuricza) played their normal game. Tony (Pineda) played a good game. Miles (McDonnell) had a bit of an off game. But the defense did alright. It was a good game.
"But, it was a lot of pressure for the kids to come here, because they are so nervous. But they know now that they are playing two more games no matter what."
Pressure or not, the Lions wasted little time. They pounced on the scoreboard first Tuesday night with a goal in the fourth minute. Williams found the back of the net off a pass from Pineda.
But Foreman (6-7-4) tied the game in the 25th minute. Omar Jaimes beat the Lions defense and chipped the ball over keeper Aaron Tres. The goal was set up by an assist from Francisco Urena.
Saint Viator freshman Jack Hartman broke the tie in a hurry -- just 20 seconds later. Then, Pineda delivered another Lions goal at the back post off a Beiersdorf long throw-in that made the score 3-1 in the 34th minute. That was the score when the halftime buzzer sounded.
The second half found a determined Foreman squad. The Hornets buzzed back within a goal at 3-2 in the 54th minute. Jaimes scored his second goal and 15th of the season with a shot that went through four Saint Viator defenders. The scoring play started with a pass from Joal Diaz.
"There were open spaces from the defenders," Jaimes said. "You get through balls from the players.You just have to be able to be there through the spaces just to find the openings."
Saint Viator answered back with two insurance goals in less than a minute.
Beiersdorf sent a free kick from midfield that went off the Foreman keeper Anibal Ramas. On the rebound, Williams knocked home the goal in the 57th minute. Then, Carroll followed up a goal of another free kick from Zach Gyuricza 45 seconds later for the final 5-2 advantage.
"Never really thought we were going to lose the game,” said Taylor. “I've believed in these boys all year long. We knew this team (Foreman) was skilled.
“We scouted them and knew it would be a tough game. They were a city school that wanted to get (to state). You can't take anything for granted."
Foreman (6-7-4) put together a late postseason run with four-straight victories in the regional and sectional. They gave it their best shot and were right in the match until Saint Viator’s final pair of goals put the game out of reach.
"We got back to a one-goal game for a while," Foreman coach Dan Hakimian said. "We knew that it would be a challenging game. (Saint Viator) had a great season and has been ranked high all year. They are tall, big and fast. They're smart soccer players. We knew it was going to be a challenge for us."
Starting lineups
Saint Viator
GK: Aaron Tres
D: Javier Romero
D: Brandon Braun
D: Chris Beiersdorf
D: Sean Lonigro
MF: Miles McDonnell
MF: Zack Gyuricza
MF: Ryan Carroll
MF: Anthony Pineda
F: Aidan Williams
F: Patrick Hickey
Foreman
GK: Anibal Ramas
D: Luis Gonzalez
D: Bryant Carillo
D: Enrique Dorantes
MF: Charlie Tolayo
MF: Jose Espinosa
MF: Alexis Dorantes
MF: Francisco Urena
MF: Jonathan Martinez
F: Omar Jaimes
F: Irving Leon
Man of the Match: Chris Beiersdorf, Saint Viator
Officials: John Marteleen (center); Mario Castillo; Steven BeLow.
Earns 2nd Final Four in 3 years with 5-2 win over Foreman
By Rusty Silber
LINCOLNSHIRE -- Chris Beiersdorf makes a big difference for Saint Viator when it comes to throw-ins and free kicks. Beiersdorf has so much accuracy that the Lions can create goals off his uncanny ability.
He did that on a number of occasions in Tuesday night's Class 2A supersectional that led to a couple of goals and other chances that hit the post and crossbar.
"My throws and kicks are key factors to how we play the ball game," said Beiersdorf, who has been a part of 15 goals this season. "They were on point here tonight. Our team keeps progressing, and now we're going to state."
Saint Viator’s 5-2 victory over Foreman in the Class 2A Stevenson Supersectional punched the Lions ticket to the state semifinals.
Aidan Williams led the Lions with a pair of goals. Ryan Carroll, Anthony Pineda and Jack Hartman had the others.
Saint Viator (21-5-1) returns to the start finals for the second time in three years (2012). The Lions will meet St. Joseph at 3 p.m. Friday at Hoffman Estates High School.
St. Joseph reached the state semifinals with a 2-1 victory over Marian on Tuesday in the Lemont Supersectional.
Saint Viator stayed at least one step ahead of Foreman for much of the game.
"I thought the boys played well," Saint Viator coach Mike Taylor said. "Aidan (Williams) and Zach (Gyuricza) played their normal game. Tony (Pineda) played a good game. Miles (McDonnell) had a bit of an off game. But the defense did alright. It was a good game.
"But, it was a lot of pressure for the kids to come here, because they are so nervous. But they know now that they are playing two more games no matter what."
Pressure or not, the Lions wasted little time. They pounced on the scoreboard first Tuesday night with a goal in the fourth minute. Williams found the back of the net off a pass from Pineda.
But Foreman (6-7-4) tied the game in the 25th minute. Omar Jaimes beat the Lions defense and chipped the ball over keeper Aaron Tres. The goal was set up by an assist from Francisco Urena.
Saint Viator freshman Jack Hartman broke the tie in a hurry -- just 20 seconds later. Then, Pineda delivered another Lions goal at the back post off a Beiersdorf long throw-in that made the score 3-1 in the 34th minute. That was the score when the halftime buzzer sounded.
The second half found a determined Foreman squad. The Hornets buzzed back within a goal at 3-2 in the 54th minute. Jaimes scored his second goal and 15th of the season with a shot that went through four Saint Viator defenders. The scoring play started with a pass from Joal Diaz.
"There were open spaces from the defenders," Jaimes said. "You get through balls from the players.You just have to be able to be there through the spaces just to find the openings."
Saint Viator answered back with two insurance goals in less than a minute.
Beiersdorf sent a free kick from midfield that went off the Foreman keeper Anibal Ramas. On the rebound, Williams knocked home the goal in the 57th minute. Then, Carroll followed up a goal of another free kick from Zach Gyuricza 45 seconds later for the final 5-2 advantage.
"Never really thought we were going to lose the game,” said Taylor. “I've believed in these boys all year long. We knew this team (Foreman) was skilled.
“We scouted them and knew it would be a tough game. They were a city school that wanted to get (to state). You can't take anything for granted."
Foreman (6-7-4) put together a late postseason run with four-straight victories in the regional and sectional. They gave it their best shot and were right in the match until Saint Viator’s final pair of goals put the game out of reach.
"We got back to a one-goal game for a while," Foreman coach Dan Hakimian said. "We knew that it would be a challenging game. (Saint Viator) had a great season and has been ranked high all year. They are tall, big and fast. They're smart soccer players. We knew it was going to be a challenge for us."
Starting lineups
Saint Viator
GK: Aaron Tres
D: Javier Romero
D: Brandon Braun
D: Chris Beiersdorf
D: Sean Lonigro
MF: Miles McDonnell
MF: Zack Gyuricza
MF: Ryan Carroll
MF: Anthony Pineda
F: Aidan Williams
F: Patrick Hickey
Foreman
GK: Anibal Ramas
D: Luis Gonzalez
D: Bryant Carillo
D: Enrique Dorantes
MF: Charlie Tolayo
MF: Jose Espinosa
MF: Alexis Dorantes
MF: Francisco Urena
MF: Jonathan Martinez
F: Omar Jaimes
F: Irving Leon
Man of the Match: Chris Beiersdorf, Saint Viator
Officials: John Marteleen (center); Mario Castillo; Steven BeLow.