Adams' 4-goal explosion lifts BG to win
Bison roll 5-0 over Maine East
By Mike Garofola
PARK RIDGE -- Kyle Adams enjoyed a dream start to the 2017 soccer season to inspire a convincing 5-0 victory in the Central Suburban League/Mid-Suburban League Challenge on Monday night over host Maine East in the .
The senior poured in four first half goals, using an energetic display on the outside to outclass the host Blue Demons in the season opener for both clubs.
"It was a good night for all of us," said a humble Adams, who took advantage of plenty of space and time during an impressive opening 40 minutes in which he and his mates were able to pick apart a young and inexperienced side.
"It's a great way to begin the season, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us," said Bison manager Brad Abel, now in his third year at the helm.
This contest was part of the annual conference series, now in its 10th season. Glenbrook North and Barrington managers Paul Vignocchi and Scott Steib fashioned the event after the highly successful Big 10-ACC Basketball Challenge.
"Every year this is a great way to start the season, and now it's become a real tradition for two of the best soccer conferences around," said Abel.
The visiting Bison gave their hosts little chance
"BG was far better than we were tonight. (But) that's okay because we were able to get those opening night jitters out of the way, while finding out what we have, and how some of our young guys are going to do," said Maine East manager Jeff Bishop.
Both Adams and teammate Jack Keady commented after the match about the loss of the team's brightest stars from a year ago: Alex Alfaro saw action in the first scrimmage game for Wisconsin; and Tyler Niemann will play at Division II Bellarmine in Louisville.
"Alex was an amazing player, so, for me, I'll do what I can to help our attack, our possession and distribution," said Adams. "And although Alex is impossible to replace, we have a few guys who can really step-up this season."
Abel suggested Kevin Eloiza can be 'Alfaro-like' if his men can get him the ball. The junior forward appears ready to be an impact player, as should fellow returning starter Manny Mazariegos, among others.
Keady will anchor the Bison backline, much as his former mate Niemann did a year ago.
"I was able to get a lot of valuable experience last year, so I am looking forward to using that experience this season to help give us a solid group along the back," said Keady, who on this night played on the outside alongside varsity newcomers Marcin Czaplinski, Brian Hanus and Christian Kozaczka.
"Niemann gave us a lot of speed, quickness and tackling ability, plus plenty of leadership last year, but Jack is capable of giving us the same thing this season," Abel said.
Keady and his mates along the back enjoyed a stress-free first half unlike their counterparts did not. Adams began his scoring spree in the ninth minute.
"The defender has his back to me with the ball, and I just stepped in and was able to finish from in close," said Adams, who six minutes later converted a PK after getting hauled down inside the box.
In that sequence, the aforementioned Mazariegos sprung Adams when he played a nice ball wide that allowed the senior to beat his man and force an unfortunate foul against the home side.
"Our lack of experience along the back likely cost us all four goals in the first half, but we did tighten things up a little better in the second half," said Bishop.
Buffalo Grove kept up the pressure. A long, wind-aided punt over the top from Jake Salzman gave Jonathan Peici an extra step on the Blue Demons' last man, but the junior striker drove his close range attempt over the bar in the 24th minute.
The sophomore Salzman shared time between the sticks with four-year veteran Daniel Sempoch, who guaranteed the clean sheet when he stopped a wind-blown 35-yard freekick from Kristjan Gudmundsson with a well executed punch near the spot in the 59th minute.
Adams, who was the easy choice for Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honors, used a calm finish of a Eloiza helper to make it a three-goal advantage at 37 minutes.
The advantae quickly became 4-0 when Adams slotted under a helpless Ramy Atia, whose lack of the support along the back did not rattle the Maine East freshman keeper.
Alexis Escobar nearly added another just before intermission but was stopped on a terrific save by Atia.
"We did a lot of good things in that first half, especially with the way we moved the ball forward, possessed and played through the midfield," said Adams.
"Again, we won't read too much in tonight's result, (except) that we finished our chances, got everyone valuable minutes. It was a good way to begin the season," said Abel.
Peici and Keady were the architects of the final goal of the night. In the 62nd minute, junior Sam Turusbekov broke free and on the turn unloaded a 20-yard left-footed cracker that Atia had no chance to stop.
After their successful season debut, the Bison will learn more about themselves very soon.
"Our schedule gets real busy from here on out, but we should know how and where we stand when we're done," said Abel.
The Bison have three games in the next five days. They meet Stevenson on the road Tuesday, league foe Conant at the MSL College Showcase on Friday night on the Palatine Celtic Soccer Club grounds and New Trier in the opening round of the Northshore College Showcase on Saturday at New Trier.
Next week Buffalo Grove finishes the tournament with games on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Starting lineups
Buffalo Grove
GK- Jake Salzman
D- Marcin Czaplinski
D- Brian Hanus
D- Christian Kozaczka
D- Jack Keady
M- Kyle Adams
M- Alex Berk
M- Manny Mazariegos
M- Michael Botello
M- Ryan Kim
F- Kevin Eloiza
Maine East
GK- Ramy Atia
D- Adman Odeesho
D- Aleksandar Gligorevic
D- Jason Noriega
D- Daniel Herrera
M- Jean Noriega
M- Kristjan Gudmundsson
M- Nikolaus Ryczek
F- Juan Lima
F- Francesco Montesinos
F- Jose Salcedo
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Kyle Adams, Buffalo Grove, sr. MF
Official: Walter Stadler (center)
Bison roll 5-0 over Maine East
By Mike Garofola
PARK RIDGE -- Kyle Adams enjoyed a dream start to the 2017 soccer season to inspire a convincing 5-0 victory in the Central Suburban League/Mid-Suburban League Challenge on Monday night over host Maine East in the .
The senior poured in four first half goals, using an energetic display on the outside to outclass the host Blue Demons in the season opener for both clubs.
"It was a good night for all of us," said a humble Adams, who took advantage of plenty of space and time during an impressive opening 40 minutes in which he and his mates were able to pick apart a young and inexperienced side.
"It's a great way to begin the season, but we still have a lot of work ahead of us," said Bison manager Brad Abel, now in his third year at the helm.
This contest was part of the annual conference series, now in its 10th season. Glenbrook North and Barrington managers Paul Vignocchi and Scott Steib fashioned the event after the highly successful Big 10-ACC Basketball Challenge.
"Every year this is a great way to start the season, and now it's become a real tradition for two of the best soccer conferences around," said Abel.
The visiting Bison gave their hosts little chance
"BG was far better than we were tonight. (But) that's okay because we were able to get those opening night jitters out of the way, while finding out what we have, and how some of our young guys are going to do," said Maine East manager Jeff Bishop.
Both Adams and teammate Jack Keady commented after the match about the loss of the team's brightest stars from a year ago: Alex Alfaro saw action in the first scrimmage game for Wisconsin; and Tyler Niemann will play at Division II Bellarmine in Louisville.
"Alex was an amazing player, so, for me, I'll do what I can to help our attack, our possession and distribution," said Adams. "And although Alex is impossible to replace, we have a few guys who can really step-up this season."
Abel suggested Kevin Eloiza can be 'Alfaro-like' if his men can get him the ball. The junior forward appears ready to be an impact player, as should fellow returning starter Manny Mazariegos, among others.
Keady will anchor the Bison backline, much as his former mate Niemann did a year ago.
"I was able to get a lot of valuable experience last year, so I am looking forward to using that experience this season to help give us a solid group along the back," said Keady, who on this night played on the outside alongside varsity newcomers Marcin Czaplinski, Brian Hanus and Christian Kozaczka.
"Niemann gave us a lot of speed, quickness and tackling ability, plus plenty of leadership last year, but Jack is capable of giving us the same thing this season," Abel said.
Keady and his mates along the back enjoyed a stress-free first half unlike their counterparts did not. Adams began his scoring spree in the ninth minute.
"The defender has his back to me with the ball, and I just stepped in and was able to finish from in close," said Adams, who six minutes later converted a PK after getting hauled down inside the box.
In that sequence, the aforementioned Mazariegos sprung Adams when he played a nice ball wide that allowed the senior to beat his man and force an unfortunate foul against the home side.
"Our lack of experience along the back likely cost us all four goals in the first half, but we did tighten things up a little better in the second half," said Bishop.
Buffalo Grove kept up the pressure. A long, wind-aided punt over the top from Jake Salzman gave Jonathan Peici an extra step on the Blue Demons' last man, but the junior striker drove his close range attempt over the bar in the 24th minute.
The sophomore Salzman shared time between the sticks with four-year veteran Daniel Sempoch, who guaranteed the clean sheet when he stopped a wind-blown 35-yard freekick from Kristjan Gudmundsson with a well executed punch near the spot in the 59th minute.
Adams, who was the easy choice for Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honors, used a calm finish of a Eloiza helper to make it a three-goal advantage at 37 minutes.
The advantae quickly became 4-0 when Adams slotted under a helpless Ramy Atia, whose lack of the support along the back did not rattle the Maine East freshman keeper.
Alexis Escobar nearly added another just before intermission but was stopped on a terrific save by Atia.
"We did a lot of good things in that first half, especially with the way we moved the ball forward, possessed and played through the midfield," said Adams.
"Again, we won't read too much in tonight's result, (except) that we finished our chances, got everyone valuable minutes. It was a good way to begin the season," said Abel.
Peici and Keady were the architects of the final goal of the night. In the 62nd minute, junior Sam Turusbekov broke free and on the turn unloaded a 20-yard left-footed cracker that Atia had no chance to stop.
After their successful season debut, the Bison will learn more about themselves very soon.
"Our schedule gets real busy from here on out, but we should know how and where we stand when we're done," said Abel.
The Bison have three games in the next five days. They meet Stevenson on the road Tuesday, league foe Conant at the MSL College Showcase on Friday night on the Palatine Celtic Soccer Club grounds and New Trier in the opening round of the Northshore College Showcase on Saturday at New Trier.
Next week Buffalo Grove finishes the tournament with games on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
Starting lineups
Buffalo Grove
GK- Jake Salzman
D- Marcin Czaplinski
D- Brian Hanus
D- Christian Kozaczka
D- Jack Keady
M- Kyle Adams
M- Alex Berk
M- Manny Mazariegos
M- Michael Botello
M- Ryan Kim
F- Kevin Eloiza
Maine East
GK- Ramy Atia
D- Adman Odeesho
D- Aleksandar Gligorevic
D- Jason Noriega
D- Daniel Herrera
M- Jean Noriega
M- Kristjan Gudmundsson
M- Nikolaus Ryczek
F- Juan Lima
F- Francesco Montesinos
F- Jose Salcedo
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Kyle Adams, Buffalo Grove, sr. MF
Official: Walter Stadler (center)