Delapaz strike puts Addison Trail in final
Blazers stop regional host Hoffman Estates for 1-0 win
By Mike Garofola
HOFFMAN ESTATES -- Ah, it's true what the beloved Beatle Ringo Starr sang back in 1973: "It Don't Come Easy."
That's what Ryan Dini and his men from Addison Trail echoed last night at Garber Stadium.
His no. 6-seeded Blazers got off to a blistering start against regional host and no. 12-seed Hoffman Estates and looked all the part of the higher seed. Yet at the end Addison Trail needed to fight off the short-handed Hawks (8-15-1) before earning a 1-0 victory.
The Blazers 15th victory of the season advanced the West Suburban Conference Gold Division runner-up into Friday's regional final here against West Suburban Conference Silver Division co-champion York, the No. 3 seed in sectionals.
"I was impressed with Hoffman when I saw them beat Vernon Hills with four second half goals," Dini said. "But after our great start, I figured we came to play and could easily put two or three in on them after that early goal."
But a funny thing about this sport of soccer -- it's not easy to manage an early lead for a majority of the game. For scoring hero Alexis Delapaz and his talented center back Eduardo Huerta, it was clear to them what happened after Delapaz forced the home side to begin chasing the lead.
Overconfidence, and taking Hoffman Estates too lightly is what led to the play falling off early echoed the Blazers duo, who were named Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match.
"We moved the ball around so quick and with little effort to help us get the first goal, and I really think all of us thought that would lead to more goals and an easy win," said Delapaz.
To which his teammate Huerta added: "We stopped playing our game and allowed them to get some confidence and get back into the game.
"These first games of the postseason are not real easy," said Dini, whose club defeated York two weeks ago to continue a long winning streak that ended at 12 until its conference season finale loss to Morton.
"But in the end, it's not about playing real pretty, (it's) really about getting the win to move on."
Addison Trail (15-5-0) spent most of its time in the first 20 minutes in the Hawks end with so much one-way traffic that Hawks manager Sean Armstrong figured his club would be undone in a short period of time ending a season that included a highly successful campaign in the Mid-Suburban League.
"I saw Addison Trail play, and there's no way they were the no. 6 seed," said Armstrong, who in his first year in charge of the team guided the Hawks to a 6-5-0 league record. "In that first 10-15 minutes they looked and played like a top three seed making us look like an even lower seed than we were given.
"But once we weathered the storm and dealt with their team speed, pace and terrific technical ability, I felt that we played them fairly even in the second part of the first half, and, at times, had a lot of the play after the break."
The Hawks were unable to keep the Blazers wonderful quintet of Melvin Mora, Eduardo Gomez, Anthony Hernandez, Martin Murillo and Delapaz under control during the first quarter hour as the group used quick, precise switching passes to pry open the home side each time it went forward.
Huerta, who delived quality service from all over the place, most from free kick attempts, drove a searing long ball into the box that Hawks keeper Tyler Kelly was unable to catch. That resulted in a ball that spilled freely close to the spot.
Delapaz did not hesitate with his rebound effort and thumped the lone goal of the contest past a helpless Kelly in the 11th minute.
"I saw their keeper come off the line," said Delapaz. "I followed the play and when the ball came off of his gloves, I moved quickly to (it) and put it into the back of the net."
It nearly became 2-0 moments later after a deep throw from Murillo found Delapaz. He quickly unloaded a low drive on frame that Mora redirected on the way in that required a reaction save from Kelly.
Dini and his staff thought for sure they detected a hand ball in the Hawks box in the 17th minute. That came after a clever one-two from Mora and Hernandez that could have sent a Blazer to the spot.
"Officials never decide the outcome of a soccer game," said Dini. "But I thought the referee missed a few things tonight, and let things get a little out of hand when emotions from both teams took over for a few minutes."
It took nearly one half hour for the Hawks to get on their front foot. When they did, it was through the play of its two midfield stars Alex Gonzales and Gerogi Kyosev and their mates around them Tony Cabral and Alex Soto. The quartet looked dangerous in the last 10 minutes of the half and into the second period as well.
"We were overwhelmed and not organized at the start of this game, (Addison Trail) has so many weapons in their attack," began Gonzalez, who along with Kyosev were recently named all-sectional.
"But I really felt that we came alive later on. When we did we created chances, possessed the ball, and played some of our best soccer of the season."
Kyosev went over the bar with his free kick in the 31st minute, just after the sophomore used a deft touch to send a looping ball into the area for Soto. That chance for the equalizer was stopped by Blazers keeper Sam Sandoval, who now has 12 clean-sheets this season.
The Blazers countered with some of their most electrifying ball movement of the night. Delapaz, Mora and Gomez were at the center of this magic, which ended with Kelly stopping a Gomez 30-yard cracker.
Moments later, the first of seven yellow cards was booked and led to six more after the break. The final card was a second yellow on Kyosev for a hard tackle. The harsh decision ended his night for good and forced the Hawks to play a man down for the final 10 minutes of regulation.
"We really didn't like that second yellow, especially with the way the referee was so inconsistent tonight," said Armstrong.
Long before this sequence, the Hawks went after their guests with some of their own masterful play in the middle of the park. Once again the Gonzalez-Kyosev partnership helped produce a handful of half-chances on frame.
Around the Hawks spirited second half play, Addison Trail continued to attack, only not with the same pace and quality it enjoyed earlier.
Delapaz had a go from inside the box, but it was blocked smartly by Zach Freye before it could reach Kelly. Later the Blazers countered with speed to earn consecutive corners.
Delapaz was allowed to tee-up his 64th-minute attempt that produced a rasping shot that Kelly pushed away to give the Blazers yet another deep throw. But the attempt failed to convert into something on frame.
"We created chances, but just weren't sharp enough in the final third," said Dini.
After Kyosev was sent off, the Hawks responded with an inspiring final 10 minutes that forced the Blazers to defend with all their might to insure victory.
"When we had to, we defended in our end," said Huerta. "It's just too bad we didn't put another one in to make it a little easier for ourselves."
Hoffman Estates, which played 2017 Class AA state champion Solorio and fourth place trophy winner St. Patrick to hard-fought 1-0 losses earlier this season, found itself on another one-goal defeat at the shrill of the final whistle.
"I cannot be more proud of these guys (who) began their long journey to this game way back in the offseason," said Armstrong. "When I took over this team I asked them to train and work harder than they ever had in order for us to compete every time out."
Dini tossed plenty of praise towards the Blazers fallen opponent.
He also gave credit to his club, which despite not playing its best soccer of the season still managed to advance.
"There were a lot of things we did well, but others not as much," began Dini.
"The guys know they can play so much better on both sides of the ball and will have to on Friday when we play York, which is a big-time rival of ours and a team that we know will came after us right from the start in that regional final."
Starting lineups
Hoffman Estates (4-5-1)
G- Tyler Kelly
D- Brandon Montano
D- Zach Freye
D- Manuel Amezcua
D- Siva Nakka
M- Jesus Martinez
M- Georgi Kyosev
M- Alex Gonzalez
M- Julian Rios
M- Enrique Bravo
F- Edson Orantes
Addison Trail (3-5-2)
G- Sam Sandoval
D- Joseph Macedo
D- Eduardo Huerta
D- Matthew Moran
M- Luis Silva
M- Martin Murillo
M- Lukas Rodriugez
M- Eduardo Gomez
M- Alexis Delapaz
F- Anthony Hernandez
F- Melvin Mora
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Eduardo Huerta, sr., D, Addison Trail
Referee: Ali Khlavi
Scoring Summary
First half
Addison Trail: Delapaz (Huerta) 11'
Second half
No scoring
Blazers stop regional host Hoffman Estates for 1-0 win
By Mike Garofola
HOFFMAN ESTATES -- Ah, it's true what the beloved Beatle Ringo Starr sang back in 1973: "It Don't Come Easy."
That's what Ryan Dini and his men from Addison Trail echoed last night at Garber Stadium.
His no. 6-seeded Blazers got off to a blistering start against regional host and no. 12-seed Hoffman Estates and looked all the part of the higher seed. Yet at the end Addison Trail needed to fight off the short-handed Hawks (8-15-1) before earning a 1-0 victory.
The Blazers 15th victory of the season advanced the West Suburban Conference Gold Division runner-up into Friday's regional final here against West Suburban Conference Silver Division co-champion York, the No. 3 seed in sectionals.
"I was impressed with Hoffman when I saw them beat Vernon Hills with four second half goals," Dini said. "But after our great start, I figured we came to play and could easily put two or three in on them after that early goal."
But a funny thing about this sport of soccer -- it's not easy to manage an early lead for a majority of the game. For scoring hero Alexis Delapaz and his talented center back Eduardo Huerta, it was clear to them what happened after Delapaz forced the home side to begin chasing the lead.
Overconfidence, and taking Hoffman Estates too lightly is what led to the play falling off early echoed the Blazers duo, who were named Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match.
"We moved the ball around so quick and with little effort to help us get the first goal, and I really think all of us thought that would lead to more goals and an easy win," said Delapaz.
To which his teammate Huerta added: "We stopped playing our game and allowed them to get some confidence and get back into the game.
"These first games of the postseason are not real easy," said Dini, whose club defeated York two weeks ago to continue a long winning streak that ended at 12 until its conference season finale loss to Morton.
"But in the end, it's not about playing real pretty, (it's) really about getting the win to move on."
Addison Trail (15-5-0) spent most of its time in the first 20 minutes in the Hawks end with so much one-way traffic that Hawks manager Sean Armstrong figured his club would be undone in a short period of time ending a season that included a highly successful campaign in the Mid-Suburban League.
"I saw Addison Trail play, and there's no way they were the no. 6 seed," said Armstrong, who in his first year in charge of the team guided the Hawks to a 6-5-0 league record. "In that first 10-15 minutes they looked and played like a top three seed making us look like an even lower seed than we were given.
"But once we weathered the storm and dealt with their team speed, pace and terrific technical ability, I felt that we played them fairly even in the second part of the first half, and, at times, had a lot of the play after the break."
The Hawks were unable to keep the Blazers wonderful quintet of Melvin Mora, Eduardo Gomez, Anthony Hernandez, Martin Murillo and Delapaz under control during the first quarter hour as the group used quick, precise switching passes to pry open the home side each time it went forward.
Huerta, who delived quality service from all over the place, most from free kick attempts, drove a searing long ball into the box that Hawks keeper Tyler Kelly was unable to catch. That resulted in a ball that spilled freely close to the spot.
Delapaz did not hesitate with his rebound effort and thumped the lone goal of the contest past a helpless Kelly in the 11th minute.
"I saw their keeper come off the line," said Delapaz. "I followed the play and when the ball came off of his gloves, I moved quickly to (it) and put it into the back of the net."
It nearly became 2-0 moments later after a deep throw from Murillo found Delapaz. He quickly unloaded a low drive on frame that Mora redirected on the way in that required a reaction save from Kelly.
Dini and his staff thought for sure they detected a hand ball in the Hawks box in the 17th minute. That came after a clever one-two from Mora and Hernandez that could have sent a Blazer to the spot.
"Officials never decide the outcome of a soccer game," said Dini. "But I thought the referee missed a few things tonight, and let things get a little out of hand when emotions from both teams took over for a few minutes."
It took nearly one half hour for the Hawks to get on their front foot. When they did, it was through the play of its two midfield stars Alex Gonzales and Gerogi Kyosev and their mates around them Tony Cabral and Alex Soto. The quartet looked dangerous in the last 10 minutes of the half and into the second period as well.
"We were overwhelmed and not organized at the start of this game, (Addison Trail) has so many weapons in their attack," began Gonzalez, who along with Kyosev were recently named all-sectional.
"But I really felt that we came alive later on. When we did we created chances, possessed the ball, and played some of our best soccer of the season."
Kyosev went over the bar with his free kick in the 31st minute, just after the sophomore used a deft touch to send a looping ball into the area for Soto. That chance for the equalizer was stopped by Blazers keeper Sam Sandoval, who now has 12 clean-sheets this season.
The Blazers countered with some of their most electrifying ball movement of the night. Delapaz, Mora and Gomez were at the center of this magic, which ended with Kelly stopping a Gomez 30-yard cracker.
Moments later, the first of seven yellow cards was booked and led to six more after the break. The final card was a second yellow on Kyosev for a hard tackle. The harsh decision ended his night for good and forced the Hawks to play a man down for the final 10 minutes of regulation.
"We really didn't like that second yellow, especially with the way the referee was so inconsistent tonight," said Armstrong.
Long before this sequence, the Hawks went after their guests with some of their own masterful play in the middle of the park. Once again the Gonzalez-Kyosev partnership helped produce a handful of half-chances on frame.
Around the Hawks spirited second half play, Addison Trail continued to attack, only not with the same pace and quality it enjoyed earlier.
Delapaz had a go from inside the box, but it was blocked smartly by Zach Freye before it could reach Kelly. Later the Blazers countered with speed to earn consecutive corners.
Delapaz was allowed to tee-up his 64th-minute attempt that produced a rasping shot that Kelly pushed away to give the Blazers yet another deep throw. But the attempt failed to convert into something on frame.
"We created chances, but just weren't sharp enough in the final third," said Dini.
After Kyosev was sent off, the Hawks responded with an inspiring final 10 minutes that forced the Blazers to defend with all their might to insure victory.
"When we had to, we defended in our end," said Huerta. "It's just too bad we didn't put another one in to make it a little easier for ourselves."
Hoffman Estates, which played 2017 Class AA state champion Solorio and fourth place trophy winner St. Patrick to hard-fought 1-0 losses earlier this season, found itself on another one-goal defeat at the shrill of the final whistle.
"I cannot be more proud of these guys (who) began their long journey to this game way back in the offseason," said Armstrong. "When I took over this team I asked them to train and work harder than they ever had in order for us to compete every time out."
Dini tossed plenty of praise towards the Blazers fallen opponent.
He also gave credit to his club, which despite not playing its best soccer of the season still managed to advance.
"There were a lot of things we did well, but others not as much," began Dini.
"The guys know they can play so much better on both sides of the ball and will have to on Friday when we play York, which is a big-time rival of ours and a team that we know will came after us right from the start in that regional final."
Starting lineups
Hoffman Estates (4-5-1)
G- Tyler Kelly
D- Brandon Montano
D- Zach Freye
D- Manuel Amezcua
D- Siva Nakka
M- Jesus Martinez
M- Georgi Kyosev
M- Alex Gonzalez
M- Julian Rios
M- Enrique Bravo
F- Edson Orantes
Addison Trail (3-5-2)
G- Sam Sandoval
D- Joseph Macedo
D- Eduardo Huerta
D- Matthew Moran
M- Luis Silva
M- Martin Murillo
M- Lukas Rodriugez
M- Eduardo Gomez
M- Alexis Delapaz
F- Anthony Hernandez
F- Melvin Mora
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Eduardo Huerta, sr., D, Addison Trail
Referee: Ali Khlavi
Scoring Summary
First half
Addison Trail: Delapaz (Huerta) 11'
Second half
No scoring