2nd half drives Addison Trail past Lake Park Galindo, Jr., scores brace in season-opening 2-0 win
By Mike Garofola
ROSELLE -- Jose Galindo, Jr., was the man with the golden shooting boots for Addison Trail, but it was Leo Acosta, Anthony Hernandez and Martin Murillo who helped insure a 2-0 nonconference victory against Lake Park on Tuesday night in Roselle.
Galindo's double, the second a 30-yard thunderbolt, was just what the Blazers needed in their season-opener at Krupke Field.
"Jose really came through for us, but I/we are so fortunate to have those three (Acosta, Hernandez, Murillo) senior captains leading the way with such a young varsity roster this season," said grateful Blazers manager Ryan Dini.
"We lost plenty of talent from last years team (11 seniors). So me and my staff will lean on those guys, especially early on while we sort things out. But if tonight is any indication, all of them are ready to be the type of leaders I know they can be."
Of the 11 seniors Dini said goodbye to, perhaps the best was central defender Eduardo Huerta, who was a key figure in the Blazers 14-2-0 stretch run a year ago and the 13 clean-sheets he and his mates recorded.
Murillo, who needed attention following a solid hit in the 80th minute and was unable to join Acosta and Hernandez in the post-game interview session, has taken over for Huerta and already looks the part of his former teammate, who was named to the 2018 Chicagoland Soccer All-State Team.
"Martin is a stud," began Dini. "He's cool and calm, just as Huerta was. And he can connect with our midfield with a nice touch to get things going in our attack."
Lake Park, just as its guest from Addison Trail, was hit hard by graduation after a memorable 2018 campaign that ended when Sean Crosbys' men lifted the Class 3A fourth place state trophy last November.
Crosby lost four from Chicagoland Soccer's All-State team: keeper Christian Lekki, defender Thomas Zakic and midfielders Franco Presta and Matteo Costa.
Those three, along with (12) others have moved on from a club that was a sparkling 21-5-3 on its way to a second state trophy in program history.
"That was quite a team and season for Lake Park soccer," said Crosby. "Lost a lot of great players, but we're back at it again this year with a roster of nine juniors and seniors, and a couple of sophomores, many without varsity experience. You can see the challenge that lies ahead for all of us."
With that said, this annual season-opener, which went to Addison Trail last fall 2-1, was played before a big Lancers SC Youth Club crowd with plenty of optimism and question marks.
Kyle Czeremuga, who was one of two back-ups to Lekki a year ago between the sticks, was an immediate hit for the Lancers and earned Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honors for Lake Park.
The junior was called upon at 7 minutes, and although the play was correctly ruled offsides, Czeremuga impressed when he went airborne to punch away a difficult free kick from Murillo.
With the home side struggling with its touch in the first quarter hour, Czeremga was needed once again. This time he collected a 50-50 ball played without enough pace back to the keeper.
Another giveaway in the Lake Park end saw Czeremuga turn around an angled blast from Murillo once again.
"Kyle saved us several times tonight," said an appreciative Crosby. "He also cleaned things up when we needed him to."
The Lancers slowly got themselves into the game after an error-strewn opening quarter hour with work from Greyden McClellan, Anthony Bartlett, Edgar Villagran and Abelardo Campuzano.
"We have a lot of new pieces out there, and at times it looked like we did. Other times we possessed and played together," said Crosby.
"There's a lot of new guys who are going to be put quickly in some tough spots because of our early schedule and quality of opponents," added McClellan, the Lancers senior forward.
"This team is all together on the same page. So I know, if we continue to work hard, we can be a very good team."
Anthony Magnar, Crosby's center back, made a sharp and stealthy tackle on Hernandez at 21 minutes to stop a potential 1-v.-1 on his keeper. On the other end of the field, both McClellan and Olek Melynk went wide with their efforts.
Crosby liked the way Antonio Bavaro, Riccardo Ciaccio and Bartlett came together in the center of the park for the Lancers, particularly during the last 10-12 minutes of the first half when they won most first and second balls, defended, and distributed the ball.
"When we possessed and passed as well as we did in the first half, we had most of the play from that point and into the break." said Crosby.
Lake Park enjoyed an exhilarating start to the second period and put the Blazers under pressure.
Bavaro send a lovely ball over the top to McClellan, who in full gallop sent his first attempt on frame at Ernesto Padua. He then watched two of his mates put close-range efforts at the Blazers keeper, who stayed calm during this nervous sequence.
"Ernesto didn't have to do a lot tonight, but he's a tough senior keeper who stays right in there and will make the save," said DIni.
Bartlett and McClellan were at it again minutes later, earning a corner for the Lancers from Bavaro.
Max Armas got inside but pounded Bavaro's corner wide with a thunderous header.
Two minutes later Addison Trail struck. Galindo, Jr., followed the flight of a looping ball sent into the box by Adrien Guzman and then somehow found a way to redirect past Czermuga, who elevated high into the air in an attempt to pull down the Guzman serve.
Lake Park's McClellan tried to bring the hosts even when he ran past a pair of Blazers before being hauled down. Bavaro's subsequent 22-yard free kick went wide.
With a little more ferocity in 50-50 balls in the air and on the floor, play became chippy around the hour mark. But referee Hannah Sheheiber, who was the AR 1 in the boys Class AA state final last fall, did well to keep the peace during the juncture.
When Galindo, Jr., was given enough time and space to tee up from 30 yards, the senior unloaded an unstoppable strike to move the Blazers advantage to 2-0 in the 73rd minute.
Moments later, Czeremuga's point-blank stop on Jose Vega kept the hopes of the home side alive for a few minutes longer.
It was a satisfying opener for Addison Trail.
"For the first game of the season, I thought our overall effort was pretty good when you consider how many new guys we have this year," began Acosta.
"We're young, and we'll make some mistakes, but I like the way this team looks this year. I feel like we can be better than last year's team."
Hernandez was in full agreement with Acosta.
"Our second half play was 100% better than the first half," the Blazers forward said.
"Like Leo said, we're young, and those players will have to deal with the physical play and speed at this level. But if we can stay healthy, we'll be very good this season."
Addison Trail was 4-4-0 at one point last fall, then won its next dozen before state power Morton ended its streak, and dashed its hopes of a West Suburban Conference Gold Division crown.
"Scoring will be our biggest concern this year, if we can find (it) we'll be a team to contend with later on," said Dini.
"We've got a tough first two weeks of the season. But as I said before, my three captains, plus guys like Uriel Rojo who can play all over, will keep us strong during the early parts when we might struggle a little bit."
Crosby says the same of his Lancers club.
"That state team from last fall had several guys who were on the varsity and playing as sophomores, and that was big for us on many levels."
"Obviously we don't have that (now), so we'll see how the players respond to the early tests that we have, and on the flipside how we as a staff make changes that will have a positive effect."
The Lancers long-running Hillner Classic began on Thursday. Lake Park dropped a 2-1 contest to South Elgin. The host team continues in its six-team round-robin event against York on Saturday.
Addison Trail opened its Joe Novy Invitationl with a 3-2 pool play victory over Fenton on Thursday night. The Blazers next tourney match is against Proviso West on Saturday.
Starting lineups
Addison Trail (4-4-2)
G- Ernesto Padura
D- Jose Vega
D- Martin Murillo
D- Brian Hernandez
D- Ray Fischer
M- Juan Jimenez
M- Leo Acosta
M- Uriel Rojo
M- Adrian Guzman
F- Anthony Hernandez
F- Brian Flores
Lake Park (4-5-1)
G- Kyle Czeremuga
D- Francesco Caira
D- Anthony Magner
D- Max Panek
M- Max Armas
M- Antonio Bavaro
M- Riccardo Ciaccio
M- Olek Melnyk
M- Anthony Bartlett
F- Grayden McClellan
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Martin Murillo, sr., D, Addison Trail
Kyle Czeremuga, jr., GK, Lake Park
Referee: Hannah Sheheiber
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Addison Trail: Galindo, Jr. (Guzman) 52'
Addison Trail: Galindo, Jr. (U/A) 73'
By Mike Garofola
ROSELLE -- Jose Galindo, Jr., was the man with the golden shooting boots for Addison Trail, but it was Leo Acosta, Anthony Hernandez and Martin Murillo who helped insure a 2-0 nonconference victory against Lake Park on Tuesday night in Roselle.
Galindo's double, the second a 30-yard thunderbolt, was just what the Blazers needed in their season-opener at Krupke Field.
"Jose really came through for us, but I/we are so fortunate to have those three (Acosta, Hernandez, Murillo) senior captains leading the way with such a young varsity roster this season," said grateful Blazers manager Ryan Dini.
"We lost plenty of talent from last years team (11 seniors). So me and my staff will lean on those guys, especially early on while we sort things out. But if tonight is any indication, all of them are ready to be the type of leaders I know they can be."
Of the 11 seniors Dini said goodbye to, perhaps the best was central defender Eduardo Huerta, who was a key figure in the Blazers 14-2-0 stretch run a year ago and the 13 clean-sheets he and his mates recorded.
Murillo, who needed attention following a solid hit in the 80th minute and was unable to join Acosta and Hernandez in the post-game interview session, has taken over for Huerta and already looks the part of his former teammate, who was named to the 2018 Chicagoland Soccer All-State Team.
"Martin is a stud," began Dini. "He's cool and calm, just as Huerta was. And he can connect with our midfield with a nice touch to get things going in our attack."
Lake Park, just as its guest from Addison Trail, was hit hard by graduation after a memorable 2018 campaign that ended when Sean Crosbys' men lifted the Class 3A fourth place state trophy last November.
Crosby lost four from Chicagoland Soccer's All-State team: keeper Christian Lekki, defender Thomas Zakic and midfielders Franco Presta and Matteo Costa.
Those three, along with (12) others have moved on from a club that was a sparkling 21-5-3 on its way to a second state trophy in program history.
"That was quite a team and season for Lake Park soccer," said Crosby. "Lost a lot of great players, but we're back at it again this year with a roster of nine juniors and seniors, and a couple of sophomores, many without varsity experience. You can see the challenge that lies ahead for all of us."
With that said, this annual season-opener, which went to Addison Trail last fall 2-1, was played before a big Lancers SC Youth Club crowd with plenty of optimism and question marks.
Kyle Czeremuga, who was one of two back-ups to Lekki a year ago between the sticks, was an immediate hit for the Lancers and earned Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honors for Lake Park.
The junior was called upon at 7 minutes, and although the play was correctly ruled offsides, Czeremuga impressed when he went airborne to punch away a difficult free kick from Murillo.
With the home side struggling with its touch in the first quarter hour, Czeremga was needed once again. This time he collected a 50-50 ball played without enough pace back to the keeper.
Another giveaway in the Lake Park end saw Czeremuga turn around an angled blast from Murillo once again.
"Kyle saved us several times tonight," said an appreciative Crosby. "He also cleaned things up when we needed him to."
The Lancers slowly got themselves into the game after an error-strewn opening quarter hour with work from Greyden McClellan, Anthony Bartlett, Edgar Villagran and Abelardo Campuzano.
"We have a lot of new pieces out there, and at times it looked like we did. Other times we possessed and played together," said Crosby.
"There's a lot of new guys who are going to be put quickly in some tough spots because of our early schedule and quality of opponents," added McClellan, the Lancers senior forward.
"This team is all together on the same page. So I know, if we continue to work hard, we can be a very good team."
Anthony Magnar, Crosby's center back, made a sharp and stealthy tackle on Hernandez at 21 minutes to stop a potential 1-v.-1 on his keeper. On the other end of the field, both McClellan and Olek Melynk went wide with their efforts.
Crosby liked the way Antonio Bavaro, Riccardo Ciaccio and Bartlett came together in the center of the park for the Lancers, particularly during the last 10-12 minutes of the first half when they won most first and second balls, defended, and distributed the ball.
"When we possessed and passed as well as we did in the first half, we had most of the play from that point and into the break." said Crosby.
Lake Park enjoyed an exhilarating start to the second period and put the Blazers under pressure.
Bavaro send a lovely ball over the top to McClellan, who in full gallop sent his first attempt on frame at Ernesto Padua. He then watched two of his mates put close-range efforts at the Blazers keeper, who stayed calm during this nervous sequence.
"Ernesto didn't have to do a lot tonight, but he's a tough senior keeper who stays right in there and will make the save," said DIni.
Bartlett and McClellan were at it again minutes later, earning a corner for the Lancers from Bavaro.
Max Armas got inside but pounded Bavaro's corner wide with a thunderous header.
Two minutes later Addison Trail struck. Galindo, Jr., followed the flight of a looping ball sent into the box by Adrien Guzman and then somehow found a way to redirect past Czermuga, who elevated high into the air in an attempt to pull down the Guzman serve.
Lake Park's McClellan tried to bring the hosts even when he ran past a pair of Blazers before being hauled down. Bavaro's subsequent 22-yard free kick went wide.
With a little more ferocity in 50-50 balls in the air and on the floor, play became chippy around the hour mark. But referee Hannah Sheheiber, who was the AR 1 in the boys Class AA state final last fall, did well to keep the peace during the juncture.
When Galindo, Jr., was given enough time and space to tee up from 30 yards, the senior unloaded an unstoppable strike to move the Blazers advantage to 2-0 in the 73rd minute.
Moments later, Czeremuga's point-blank stop on Jose Vega kept the hopes of the home side alive for a few minutes longer.
It was a satisfying opener for Addison Trail.
"For the first game of the season, I thought our overall effort was pretty good when you consider how many new guys we have this year," began Acosta.
"We're young, and we'll make some mistakes, but I like the way this team looks this year. I feel like we can be better than last year's team."
Hernandez was in full agreement with Acosta.
"Our second half play was 100% better than the first half," the Blazers forward said.
"Like Leo said, we're young, and those players will have to deal with the physical play and speed at this level. But if we can stay healthy, we'll be very good this season."
Addison Trail was 4-4-0 at one point last fall, then won its next dozen before state power Morton ended its streak, and dashed its hopes of a West Suburban Conference Gold Division crown.
"Scoring will be our biggest concern this year, if we can find (it) we'll be a team to contend with later on," said Dini.
"We've got a tough first two weeks of the season. But as I said before, my three captains, plus guys like Uriel Rojo who can play all over, will keep us strong during the early parts when we might struggle a little bit."
Crosby says the same of his Lancers club.
"That state team from last fall had several guys who were on the varsity and playing as sophomores, and that was big for us on many levels."
"Obviously we don't have that (now), so we'll see how the players respond to the early tests that we have, and on the flipside how we as a staff make changes that will have a positive effect."
The Lancers long-running Hillner Classic began on Thursday. Lake Park dropped a 2-1 contest to South Elgin. The host team continues in its six-team round-robin event against York on Saturday.
Addison Trail opened its Joe Novy Invitationl with a 3-2 pool play victory over Fenton on Thursday night. The Blazers next tourney match is against Proviso West on Saturday.
Starting lineups
Addison Trail (4-4-2)
G- Ernesto Padura
D- Jose Vega
D- Martin Murillo
D- Brian Hernandez
D- Ray Fischer
M- Juan Jimenez
M- Leo Acosta
M- Uriel Rojo
M- Adrian Guzman
F- Anthony Hernandez
F- Brian Flores
Lake Park (4-5-1)
G- Kyle Czeremuga
D- Francesco Caira
D- Anthony Magner
D- Max Panek
M- Max Armas
M- Antonio Bavaro
M- Riccardo Ciaccio
M- Olek Melnyk
M- Anthony Bartlett
F- Grayden McClellan
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Martin Murillo, sr., D, Addison Trail
Kyle Czeremuga, jr., GK, Lake Park
Referee: Hannah Sheheiber
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Addison Trail: Galindo, Jr. (Guzman) 52'
Addison Trail: Galindo, Jr. (U/A) 73'