Offensive-minded Conant
takes down Willowbrook
By Mike Garofola
HOFFMAN ESTATES -- No. 3-seed Conant held off stubborn 14th-seed Willowbrook in a the winner's regional Wednesday. The Warriors (11-8-3) fought for 80 minutes before falling 3-1 to the attack-minded Cougars.
Next up for Jason Franco’s club will be 11th-seeded Wheaton North (9-5-5) which upset five-seed Geneva 2-1 in overtime in the nightcap at Charles Feutz Stadium.
Willowbrook saw its successful campaign end.
"I cannot tell you how proud I am of this team right now," began Warriors manager Victor Lopez, who spent the better part of 15 minutes in a tight huddle amongst his men after the final whistle.
"We finished the season very strong, and this team, with the great leadership of our seniors, has done a great job of helping change the culture of our program, making Willowbrook boys soccer something we can all be proud of for years to come."
Conant (18-4-1) showed strong possession that allowed the Cougars to advance deep into the Warriors end in both sides of the half, even when a strong wind was in their faces in the first half. With the gusts, they caused a lot of problems for the Warriors backline.
"We were not as sharp as we needed to be at the start," said Franco. “Once we began to find feet, possess and move the ball quickly, we were able to control a lot of the play and create chances.”
Willowbrook keeper Jack Voss made several big saves to keep the Warriors in the game
"Jack has been one of those seniors who has been a great leader for us. In goal, he's really saved us when we've needed him most," said Lopez.
Consecutive saves from Voss -- first on Carson Belcher and then sophomore Krystian Niziolek -- kept the contest goal-less in the 21st minute.
Conant keeper Varun Mittal answered with a late reaction-save on a lovely inward swinging ball to the back post from Aiden Amin.
An own-goal after a long free kick from Peter Cirbo gave the Cougars a 1-0 halftime lead. His box-to-box effort all afternoon helped his club control the middle of the park.
"(Nice) to score just before the half (we) could have had one or two more,” Franco said. “Their keeper, strong defense and our inability to finish our chances made us work even harder in the second half to keep the lead."
After the break, Willowbrook’s bench thought Lucas Bohn was taken down in the box when he turned and charged toward the goal, but the referee disagreed. Moments later, a foul just outside the box gave Marwan Smadi a chance. He stepped up and delivered a strike inside the open back-post to draw the Warriors even in the 47th minute.
"We thought we had a PK coming to us. When we didn't get the call, we still were able to get new life on that free kick," said Lopez.
Conant’s Belcher, who was named the Mid-Suburban League West Division’s Player of the Year, made it 2-1 in the 53rd minute.
Then Voss was back at it with a brilliant save on Cirbo’s left-footed cracker.
Voss came to the rescue again, just after the hour, on a Belcher smash before the Cougars went over the bar twice five minutes from time.
Vinisius DaSilva tricked his way free to the top of the box where he was fouled, but the ensuing free kick from Smadi went over the bar in the 78th minute.
Belcher capped the win with his 16th goal of the season in the 80th minute.
"We played a little nervous today, and Willowbrook played hard for 80 minutes,” Belcher said. “In the end, we did what we had to do to get the result, and that's what it's all about in the playoffs."
"Conant is a very good team, and they deserved the result,” Lopez said. “Our guys played with so much heart and desire, and have everything to be proud of.
"We started just three seniors and have a roster filled with young players. I know, if we work hard in the offseason, we'll be back and better next year."
takes down Willowbrook
By Mike Garofola
HOFFMAN ESTATES -- No. 3-seed Conant held off stubborn 14th-seed Willowbrook in a the winner's regional Wednesday. The Warriors (11-8-3) fought for 80 minutes before falling 3-1 to the attack-minded Cougars.
Next up for Jason Franco’s club will be 11th-seeded Wheaton North (9-5-5) which upset five-seed Geneva 2-1 in overtime in the nightcap at Charles Feutz Stadium.
Willowbrook saw its successful campaign end.
"I cannot tell you how proud I am of this team right now," began Warriors manager Victor Lopez, who spent the better part of 15 minutes in a tight huddle amongst his men after the final whistle.
"We finished the season very strong, and this team, with the great leadership of our seniors, has done a great job of helping change the culture of our program, making Willowbrook boys soccer something we can all be proud of for years to come."
Conant (18-4-1) showed strong possession that allowed the Cougars to advance deep into the Warriors end in both sides of the half, even when a strong wind was in their faces in the first half. With the gusts, they caused a lot of problems for the Warriors backline.
"We were not as sharp as we needed to be at the start," said Franco. “Once we began to find feet, possess and move the ball quickly, we were able to control a lot of the play and create chances.”
Willowbrook keeper Jack Voss made several big saves to keep the Warriors in the game
"Jack has been one of those seniors who has been a great leader for us. In goal, he's really saved us when we've needed him most," said Lopez.
Consecutive saves from Voss -- first on Carson Belcher and then sophomore Krystian Niziolek -- kept the contest goal-less in the 21st minute.
Conant keeper Varun Mittal answered with a late reaction-save on a lovely inward swinging ball to the back post from Aiden Amin.
An own-goal after a long free kick from Peter Cirbo gave the Cougars a 1-0 halftime lead. His box-to-box effort all afternoon helped his club control the middle of the park.
"(Nice) to score just before the half (we) could have had one or two more,” Franco said. “Their keeper, strong defense and our inability to finish our chances made us work even harder in the second half to keep the lead."
After the break, Willowbrook’s bench thought Lucas Bohn was taken down in the box when he turned and charged toward the goal, but the referee disagreed. Moments later, a foul just outside the box gave Marwan Smadi a chance. He stepped up and delivered a strike inside the open back-post to draw the Warriors even in the 47th minute.
"We thought we had a PK coming to us. When we didn't get the call, we still were able to get new life on that free kick," said Lopez.
Conant’s Belcher, who was named the Mid-Suburban League West Division’s Player of the Year, made it 2-1 in the 53rd minute.
Then Voss was back at it with a brilliant save on Cirbo’s left-footed cracker.
Voss came to the rescue again, just after the hour, on a Belcher smash before the Cougars went over the bar twice five minutes from time.
Vinisius DaSilva tricked his way free to the top of the box where he was fouled, but the ensuing free kick from Smadi went over the bar in the 78th minute.
Belcher capped the win with his 16th goal of the season in the 80th minute.
"We played a little nervous today, and Willowbrook played hard for 80 minutes,” Belcher said. “In the end, we did what we had to do to get the result, and that's what it's all about in the playoffs."
"Conant is a very good team, and they deserved the result,” Lopez said. “Our guys played with so much heart and desire, and have everything to be proud of.
"We started just three seniors and have a roster filled with young players. I know, if we work hard in the offseason, we'll be back and better next year."