Leyden survives Maine West
By Mike Garofola
NORTHLAKE -- Leyden fought for its soccer life Friday night against 14th-seeded Maine West, which played as if it was the no. 1 seed.
After 100 minutes could not separate the teams, David Duwal emerged as the hero for the fourth-seeded Eagles, who edged the Warriors 4-3 in kicks to stay alive.
"It was a real battle for us tonight, because Maine West played so well, especially in the first half. But it felt great to be the one who helped save the day for us," said Duwal, who was mobbed by his teammates after his brilliant fifth round kick save against Jason Ibarra that ended a long and intense night of soccer.
"We played them a couple of weeks ago, and that was a 0-0 draw. Then tonight we play 86 minutes before the both of us score," began Leyden manager Mark Valintis.
"We go 166 minutes together without a goal, then it goes crazy for another minute, before it settles down, and it's eventually decided in PKs.
"It's a tough way to go out for any team at this time of the year, but I have the utmost respect for Alan (Matan, Warriors manager) and his players, who were amazing all night long."
Maine West’s Osmar Vega broke the goal-less deadlock in the 86th minute when he converted his spot-kick. That was followed just seconds later by the equalizer from Leyden’s Matt Makowiec to keep things even until the whistle sent this one into a shootout.
Once there, Valintis alternated Duwal and reserve keeper Jesus Mancha in PKs with hope that the move would throw a wrench in the Warriors confidence.
"Our coaching staff thought if Jesus and I took turns in shootout that we might mess with their minds a little bit, and I really thought it did," said Duwal.
Leyden shot first and took the lead when Makowiec buried his attempt.
Maine West answered but not in the customary way. Mancha made a superb stop against Ozzie Espinoza, but the attempt was replayed when the referee ruled the junior keeper moved after Espinoza approached the spot. Still the save may have had an impact on what was to come.
Leyden’s Diego Peralta made it 2-1 before Duwal made a terrific stop against Osmar Vega.
Francis Toral converted to push the Leyden advantage to 3-1, but Alex Marron drew the Warriors close when he went just under the woodwork.
Oscar Vega, who was superb between the sticks all night for Maine West (11-7-2), turned away Daniel Toral, and when Dennis Gaitan went into the net, it tally was even at 3-3 after four rounds.
The Eagles’ Michael Suchy drove his spot-kick high into the upper left corner, setting up the Duwal heroics.
The junior keeper went horizontal to his right before somehow having the presence under pressure to extend his legs as far as they would go to stop Ibarra. A celebration from the big home crowd ensued.
The Eagles (19-3-2) advance to play the winner of the Niles North Regional, top-seeded and fifth-ranked Glenbrook North (17-3-1) or Taft (11-6-4), at 5 p.m. Wednesday in a New Trier Sectional semifinal.
By Mike Garofola
NORTHLAKE -- Leyden fought for its soccer life Friday night against 14th-seeded Maine West, which played as if it was the no. 1 seed.
After 100 minutes could not separate the teams, David Duwal emerged as the hero for the fourth-seeded Eagles, who edged the Warriors 4-3 in kicks to stay alive.
"It was a real battle for us tonight, because Maine West played so well, especially in the first half. But it felt great to be the one who helped save the day for us," said Duwal, who was mobbed by his teammates after his brilliant fifth round kick save against Jason Ibarra that ended a long and intense night of soccer.
"We played them a couple of weeks ago, and that was a 0-0 draw. Then tonight we play 86 minutes before the both of us score," began Leyden manager Mark Valintis.
"We go 166 minutes together without a goal, then it goes crazy for another minute, before it settles down, and it's eventually decided in PKs.
"It's a tough way to go out for any team at this time of the year, but I have the utmost respect for Alan (Matan, Warriors manager) and his players, who were amazing all night long."
Maine West’s Osmar Vega broke the goal-less deadlock in the 86th minute when he converted his spot-kick. That was followed just seconds later by the equalizer from Leyden’s Matt Makowiec to keep things even until the whistle sent this one into a shootout.
Once there, Valintis alternated Duwal and reserve keeper Jesus Mancha in PKs with hope that the move would throw a wrench in the Warriors confidence.
"Our coaching staff thought if Jesus and I took turns in shootout that we might mess with their minds a little bit, and I really thought it did," said Duwal.
Leyden shot first and took the lead when Makowiec buried his attempt.
Maine West answered but not in the customary way. Mancha made a superb stop against Ozzie Espinoza, but the attempt was replayed when the referee ruled the junior keeper moved after Espinoza approached the spot. Still the save may have had an impact on what was to come.
Leyden’s Diego Peralta made it 2-1 before Duwal made a terrific stop against Osmar Vega.
Francis Toral converted to push the Leyden advantage to 3-1, but Alex Marron drew the Warriors close when he went just under the woodwork.
Oscar Vega, who was superb between the sticks all night for Maine West (11-7-2), turned away Daniel Toral, and when Dennis Gaitan went into the net, it tally was even at 3-3 after four rounds.
The Eagles’ Michael Suchy drove his spot-kick high into the upper left corner, setting up the Duwal heroics.
The junior keeper went horizontal to his right before somehow having the presence under pressure to extend his legs as far as they would go to stop Ibarra. A celebration from the big home crowd ensued.
The Eagles (19-3-2) advance to play the winner of the Niles North Regional, top-seeded and fifth-ranked Glenbrook North (17-3-1) or Taft (11-6-4), at 5 p.m. Wednesday in a New Trier Sectional semifinal.