Saint Viator rolls into
Stevenson Supersectional
Lions dispatch Marian Central 2-0, 1 step from state finals
By Mike Garofola
GRAYSLAKE -- Saint Viator was too much for No. 2 Marian Central Catholic to handle Saturday in the Grayslake Central Sectional title game.
The fifth-seeded Lions (20-5-1) banished the memory of one of their darkest days of the season and made amends for a 1-0 home loss to the Hurricanes with a well deserved 2-0 victory.
Saint Viator's ninth-secutive win gave them a place in the Stevenson Supersectional on Tuesday. A trip to the state tournament is within their grasp if they can get past 10th-seeded Foreman High School of the Chicago Public League.
"We're almost there," said Lions manager Mike Taylor, who had trouble at times watching his club during the first 40 minutes -- but viewed the play with eyes wide-open after the intermission.
"It was not a very good first half of soccer," admitted Taylor.
"We had some chances, but we didn't play near what we've been at during our first three ball games, but we got it together in that second half to dominate Marian."
Taylor and his lads have been on a mission to erase any doubt from the sectional field as to whom was the real No. 1 seed here. After seeing off No. 4 Grayslake Central, then No. 1 Antioch earlier this week, all that was left from the top four seeds was Marian Central, who stood at No. 2 when the vote was counted several weeks ago. That ranking came, thanks in part, to the Hurricanes 1-0 victory over the Lions on Sept. 24.
"That was the wake-up call all of us needed," admitted Javier Romero, who has solidified the back line alongside teammate Chris Beiersdorf, who earned Chicagoland Soccer's Man-of-the-Match honors.
"We were missing Zach (Gyuricza), but that was no excuse for how poorly we played that day. And at the time, it looked like the one loss in conference would be enough from keeping us from winning the league championship."
But since that defeat, the Lions went on a 13-1-0 run, losing only to Evanston (2-1) at the Mid-States Tourney.
"I am sure all of us were looking forward to hopefully seeing Marian again, so there wasn't any need for motivation for anyone when we both reached the final today," added Beiersdorf.
Beiersdorf, Romero, sophomore Sean Lonigro, and Brandon Braun were water-tight, never allowing much of anything dangerous put on frame, and at keeper Aaron Tres, who was called upon just once during his time between the posts.
"Beiersdorf gives you so much extra with his long throws, which gave Marian a lot of trouble today, but I have to hand it to Braun. He's not flashy, just goes out there and plays, and he's really come a long way this season for us."
The Hurricanes (15-4-1) were forced to defend in numbers for most of the first period, thanks in part to the Lions midfield, which had far too much pace for their counterparts. Marian Central struggled with possession, especially in their own end, which added to the Saint Viator pressure.
"We didn't possess well at all today, some of that was on us, and some because of Saint Viator," said Marian Central's coach Jim Conlin.
The Hurricanes were virtual by-standers for long periods of the day, conceding plenty of possession in their own end. Saint Viator was its own worst enemy in its final third. The Lions damaged their scoring chances with a general lack of sharp play.
"We just did not play quick and smart in that first half, and a lot of that goes towards our big guys, who didn't play big or very smart," Taylor said with a stern look in his eye.
His less than friendly chat during the break appeared to inspire his lads, who, guided by Miles McDonnell in the middle, and a revived Zach Gyuricza and Aidan Williams, pushed the ball around confidently and became a consistent threat nearly each foray into the Hurricanes end.
Gyuricza fired wide off keeper Jake Higgins to begin the second period. Then it was Anthony Pineda who nearly got in after taking a ball from over the top.
At 47 minutes, Williams was booked when his boot got into the chest of Higgins on a 50-50 ball - which the senior almost caught up to before the Hurricanes talented junior keeper did.
Marian Central's Bryan Hart had a half-chance in the 52nd minute, but the Hurricanes midfielder drove his shot wide.
After that, it was all Saint Viator, beginning with the game's opening score. Williams ran onto a Gyuricza helper and redirected past Higgins with a wonderful finish.
There was more urgency in the Hurricanes step after the Williams goal. But in their desire to push numbers forward, they conceded more space to the now confident Lions, who took advantage of Marian Central's poor judgement on a foul just outside the box.
With a well designed set-piece in place, Pineda ran over the ball, before Gyuricza played a lovely ball around the Marian wall along the right. Williams found his way through to collect the helper - before sending it into the mix, where an opportunistic Jack Hartman slotted past a diving Higgins.
"Jack's goal was a nice one, but he could have put another one in with a left-footed touch, and there were a few others we could have finished, but it was a very strong second half that really was the difference," said Taylor.
Marian Central knew what was coming.
"We watched Saint Viator the other night totally dominate Antioch, so we knew what we were up against, and what to expect, but we didn't play as well as we could," Conlin said. "And after you go down two goals to a team like that, it's tough chasing for the next 15-20 minutes.
"I wouldn't be surprised to read about them winning the 2A state title next week. I believe they're playing that well right now. But with that said, I am very proud of my team, and with the success they have enjoyed this season."
Starting lineups
Saint Viator
Aaron Tres (GK)
Javier Romero (D)
Chris Beiersdorf (D)
Sean Lonigro (D)
Brandon Braun (D)
Ryan Carroll (MF)
Miles McDonnell (MF)
Patrick Hickey (MF)
Zach Gyuricza (MF)
Anthony Pineda (F)
Aidan Williams (F)
Marian Central
Jake Higgins (GK)
Bobby Anderson (D)
Beau Meintz (D)
Hunter Labas (D)
Connor Stiscak (D)
Connor Hull (MF)
Gavin Sell (MF)
Patrick Majzner (MF)
Bryan Hart (MF)
Liam Gries (F)
Fernando Tapia (F)
Man of the Match: Chris Beiersdorf, D, Saint Viator
Officials: Tim Reger (center), Steve Santo, Jeff Ryder.
Stevenson Supersectional
Lions dispatch Marian Central 2-0, 1 step from state finals
By Mike Garofola
GRAYSLAKE -- Saint Viator was too much for No. 2 Marian Central Catholic to handle Saturday in the Grayslake Central Sectional title game.
The fifth-seeded Lions (20-5-1) banished the memory of one of their darkest days of the season and made amends for a 1-0 home loss to the Hurricanes with a well deserved 2-0 victory.
Saint Viator's ninth-secutive win gave them a place in the Stevenson Supersectional on Tuesday. A trip to the state tournament is within their grasp if they can get past 10th-seeded Foreman High School of the Chicago Public League.
"We're almost there," said Lions manager Mike Taylor, who had trouble at times watching his club during the first 40 minutes -- but viewed the play with eyes wide-open after the intermission.
"It was not a very good first half of soccer," admitted Taylor.
"We had some chances, but we didn't play near what we've been at during our first three ball games, but we got it together in that second half to dominate Marian."
Taylor and his lads have been on a mission to erase any doubt from the sectional field as to whom was the real No. 1 seed here. After seeing off No. 4 Grayslake Central, then No. 1 Antioch earlier this week, all that was left from the top four seeds was Marian Central, who stood at No. 2 when the vote was counted several weeks ago. That ranking came, thanks in part, to the Hurricanes 1-0 victory over the Lions on Sept. 24.
"That was the wake-up call all of us needed," admitted Javier Romero, who has solidified the back line alongside teammate Chris Beiersdorf, who earned Chicagoland Soccer's Man-of-the-Match honors.
"We were missing Zach (Gyuricza), but that was no excuse for how poorly we played that day. And at the time, it looked like the one loss in conference would be enough from keeping us from winning the league championship."
But since that defeat, the Lions went on a 13-1-0 run, losing only to Evanston (2-1) at the Mid-States Tourney.
"I am sure all of us were looking forward to hopefully seeing Marian again, so there wasn't any need for motivation for anyone when we both reached the final today," added Beiersdorf.
Beiersdorf, Romero, sophomore Sean Lonigro, and Brandon Braun were water-tight, never allowing much of anything dangerous put on frame, and at keeper Aaron Tres, who was called upon just once during his time between the posts.
"Beiersdorf gives you so much extra with his long throws, which gave Marian a lot of trouble today, but I have to hand it to Braun. He's not flashy, just goes out there and plays, and he's really come a long way this season for us."
The Hurricanes (15-4-1) were forced to defend in numbers for most of the first period, thanks in part to the Lions midfield, which had far too much pace for their counterparts. Marian Central struggled with possession, especially in their own end, which added to the Saint Viator pressure.
"We didn't possess well at all today, some of that was on us, and some because of Saint Viator," said Marian Central's coach Jim Conlin.
The Hurricanes were virtual by-standers for long periods of the day, conceding plenty of possession in their own end. Saint Viator was its own worst enemy in its final third. The Lions damaged their scoring chances with a general lack of sharp play.
"We just did not play quick and smart in that first half, and a lot of that goes towards our big guys, who didn't play big or very smart," Taylor said with a stern look in his eye.
His less than friendly chat during the break appeared to inspire his lads, who, guided by Miles McDonnell in the middle, and a revived Zach Gyuricza and Aidan Williams, pushed the ball around confidently and became a consistent threat nearly each foray into the Hurricanes end.
Gyuricza fired wide off keeper Jake Higgins to begin the second period. Then it was Anthony Pineda who nearly got in after taking a ball from over the top.
At 47 minutes, Williams was booked when his boot got into the chest of Higgins on a 50-50 ball - which the senior almost caught up to before the Hurricanes talented junior keeper did.
Marian Central's Bryan Hart had a half-chance in the 52nd minute, but the Hurricanes midfielder drove his shot wide.
After that, it was all Saint Viator, beginning with the game's opening score. Williams ran onto a Gyuricza helper and redirected past Higgins with a wonderful finish.
There was more urgency in the Hurricanes step after the Williams goal. But in their desire to push numbers forward, they conceded more space to the now confident Lions, who took advantage of Marian Central's poor judgement on a foul just outside the box.
With a well designed set-piece in place, Pineda ran over the ball, before Gyuricza played a lovely ball around the Marian wall along the right. Williams found his way through to collect the helper - before sending it into the mix, where an opportunistic Jack Hartman slotted past a diving Higgins.
"Jack's goal was a nice one, but he could have put another one in with a left-footed touch, and there were a few others we could have finished, but it was a very strong second half that really was the difference," said Taylor.
Marian Central knew what was coming.
"We watched Saint Viator the other night totally dominate Antioch, so we knew what we were up against, and what to expect, but we didn't play as well as we could," Conlin said. "And after you go down two goals to a team like that, it's tough chasing for the next 15-20 minutes.
"I wouldn't be surprised to read about them winning the 2A state title next week. I believe they're playing that well right now. But with that said, I am very proud of my team, and with the success they have enjoyed this season."
Starting lineups
Saint Viator
Aaron Tres (GK)
Javier Romero (D)
Chris Beiersdorf (D)
Sean Lonigro (D)
Brandon Braun (D)
Ryan Carroll (MF)
Miles McDonnell (MF)
Patrick Hickey (MF)
Zach Gyuricza (MF)
Anthony Pineda (F)
Aidan Williams (F)
Marian Central
Jake Higgins (GK)
Bobby Anderson (D)
Beau Meintz (D)
Hunter Labas (D)
Connor Stiscak (D)
Connor Hull (MF)
Gavin Sell (MF)
Patrick Majzner (MF)
Bryan Hart (MF)
Liam Gries (F)
Fernando Tapia (F)
Man of the Match: Chris Beiersdorf, D, Saint Viator
Officials: Tim Reger (center), Steve Santo, Jeff Ryder.