Long line of scorers help Marmion win big
Cadets break into win column in big way, down Bishop McNamara
By Steve Nemeth
NORTH AURORA -- There’s that expression “go big or go home;'” considering Marmion finally got to play on its normal Fichtel Field home setting, the only choice then was to go big.
So once the hosts got on the scoreboard, a line of Cadets took part in an 8-1 triumph over Bishop McNamara in Thursday’s Chicago Catholic League crossover match.
Perhaps more significant than the scoring output was Marmion finally getting in the win column.
Previously, the Cadets (1-6-1) had their share of close calls: a season-opening 1-0 loss at West Chicago; a Barrington Classic 1-1 draw versus then 14th-ranked St. Charles North which was contested on the Powers Field practice pitch at Marmion; a 1-0 tourney finale setback versus Lake Zurich; plus a 2-1 overtime disappointment in a CCL crossover at St. Francis.
“We’ve been down enough and falling behind again today was just too much of a letdown,” said Marmion’s Ian Swindle, who was determined to get an equalizer and proceeded to assist on three other goals en route to earning Chicagoland Soccer's Man of the Match distinction.
“I think the importance of that goal was more than just answering theirs, it restored our confidence and got us to open up our offense,” Swindle added. “And I believe the key for us going forward is to keep taking chances.”
Bishop McNamara’s Andrew Kyrouac was actually the first player to have a gamble pay off. The Fighting Irish junior put the visitors ahead just 5:05 into the match with a 29-yard direct free kick from the right wing.
“I saw an opportunity with their goalie playing more near post and leaving the left side wide open,” Kyrouac explained in regard to his third goal of the season. “Seeing it hit the far side netting was an amazing feeling.”
With 9:48 played, Marmion’s Swindle became the shot in the arm the Cadets needed. Luke Salamon, a senior tri-captain, set up Swindle for a six-yard finish inside the right post.
Just over eight minutes elapsed when James Serrano took a feed from Aidan Reynolds and parked his shot from nine yards out right of center. The idea of the junior tri-captain scoring what would be the eventual game-winning strike seemed fair considering he had all three of Marmion’s previous goals.
Suddenly the Cadets began accumulating chances in rapid-fire succession, but to no avail, until 3:06 remained prior to intermission. That’s when T.J. Laurich took a cross from Swindle, dribbled past a defender, and smacked a left-footed shot inside the right half of the goal.
Sensing McNamara’s disappointment, Marmion struck again with 1:33 left in the opening half.
Serrano found Salamon in the clear on the right side for a five-yard shot that was tucked past Fighting Irish goalie Jesus Jimenez for a 4-1 halftime advantage.
“Connecting into the net in the final third of the field like we did should get our confidence up,” said new Marmion coach Jimmy Romano after his first victory at the school. “We’ve had a lot of close games, be it one-goal losses or ones that were a little closer than the score showed. We created chances in those, but just were not able to put the ball in the back of the net. Having a number of players involved in scoring goals or getting assists should be a big boost.”
The second half was just a tick past six minutes when a Swindle offering led to a nine-yard header by David Lawinger. At 54:45 gone, Robert Quintana and Jack Kavanaugh added their names to the offensive output with an assist and goal, respectively.
Just under seven minutes elapsed when another Swindle helper led to a score, this time a 10-yard finish by Drew Noecker.
“Getting assists from taking corner kicks or free kicks is also rewarding,” Swindle noted. “It’s a combination of placement and consistency in order to help teammates score.”
Despite Marmion substituting liberally in the second half, the majority of play was spent in the Bishop McNamara half of the field and a loose ball was too tempting for Kavanaugh to pass on. The junior’s second goal capped the scoring 17 seconds prior to the final horn.
“We still have to keep working on passing and technique in order to keep improving on the formations we’re now using,” Serrano said. “We’re still a pretty young team, and at times it’s been hard on our freshmen and sophomores as we try to perfect some new formations. Like experimenting with a 5-3-2 set-up from which the defense has been pretty good, but the attack needed to get better. I credit the younger guys for sticking with it. It’s why I believe as the season progresses we’ll keep improving.”
Romano was encouraged to see Swindle becoming more assertive.
“I saw a lot of positives from him today,” Romano said of the sophomore. “He played well and was very creative. He knew where he wanted to go with the ball, and I think he proved to himself and his teammates how a little confidence can go a long way.
“Defensively, Matt Lagman at center back really helped hold it together in back. He’s a hard worker whose energy drives others,” Romano said in complimenting the senior tri-captain.
Lagman will be back in competition on Friday since he doubles as a kicker for Marmion’s football team, which is off to a 2-0-0 start. The Cadets have previously had students compete for the soccer and football squads. Ironically, Lagman handles a defensive role for the soccer squad, and there were times Thursday when it appeared as if a few teammates were auditioning for his football role.
Several Cadets blasted chances well over the soccer and field goal crossbars in dominating both halves statistically. Marmion had a 40-3 advantage for overall attempts, including a 20-2 edge in shots on goal. The Cadets also had a 6-0 tally for corner kicks, making it an easier outing for Jason Baker and Jeffrey Walter to share the goalie duties.
For the Fighting Irish (3-4-0), Jimenez had a few highlight-reel worthy saves. Only a sophomore, he was tested throughout the match. McNamara's low numbers on the attack (two-of-three attempts on target) was less an indication of efficiency than inexperience. In addition to a lack of numbers, coach Vincent Mikhwanazi has to devote time to stressing fundamentals more than formations.
“Right now our emphasis is still building a team. There are a few on the roster who are more instinctive players, but they have teammates learning the game,” Mikhwanazi said. “We are succeeding in terms of never quitting. There’s no question about their character. We’ll continue to work on doing the right things regardless of the score.”
Starting lineups
Bishop McNamara
GK Jesus Jimenez
D Brandon Medina
D Ricardo Valtierra
D Edwin Hernandez
D Aldo Hernandez
M Christopher Sanchez
M Andrew Kyrouac
M Preston Lade
M Michael Kurzejka
F Ben Kuntz
F Ryan Hardesty
Marmion
GK Jason Baker
D Robert Quintana
D Aidan Reynolds
D Jack Kavanaugh
D Matt Lagman
D Johan Muscutt
M T.J. Laurich
M Ian Swindle
M David Lawinger
F Luke Salamon
F James Serrano
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Ian Swindle, so., MF, Marmion,
Officials: Bryce Cann (center), Miguel Chavez, Jen Wegner
Game summary
Marmion 8, Bishop McNamara 1
Bishop McNamara 1 0 -- 1 3-4-0
Marmion 4 4 -- 8 1-6-1
Scoring
BM – Kyrouac 29-yard right wing direct free kick (unassisted), 5:05 gone
M – Swindle six-yard finish inside right post (Salamon assist), 9:48 gone
M – Serrano nine-yard strike from right of center (Reynolds assist), 17:53 gone
M – Laurich left-footed seven-yarder inside right post (Swindle assist), 36:54 gone
M – Salamon right side five-yarder tucked past keeper (Serrano assist), 38:27 gone
M – D. Lawinger nine-yard header to the left (Swindle assist), 46:01 gone
M – Kavanaugh 11-yard blast caroms off defenders (Quintana assist), 54:46 gone
M – Noecker 10-yard boot from middle (Swindle assist), 61:43 gone
M – Kavanaugh eight-yard putback of a loose ball (unassisted), 79:44 gone
Shots
BM 1 – 2 -- 3
M 19 – 21 -- 40
Shots on goal
BM 1 – 1 -- 2
M 9 – 11 -- 20
Saves (goalie)
BM 5-7-12 (Jimenez)
M 0-1- 1 (Baker 0; Walter 1)
Corner kicks
BM 0 – 0 -- 0
M 2 – 4 -- 6
Offsides
BM 0 – 0 -- 0
M 1 – 3 -- 14
Cadets break into win column in big way, down Bishop McNamara
By Steve Nemeth
NORTH AURORA -- There’s that expression “go big or go home;'” considering Marmion finally got to play on its normal Fichtel Field home setting, the only choice then was to go big.
So once the hosts got on the scoreboard, a line of Cadets took part in an 8-1 triumph over Bishop McNamara in Thursday’s Chicago Catholic League crossover match.
Perhaps more significant than the scoring output was Marmion finally getting in the win column.
Previously, the Cadets (1-6-1) had their share of close calls: a season-opening 1-0 loss at West Chicago; a Barrington Classic 1-1 draw versus then 14th-ranked St. Charles North which was contested on the Powers Field practice pitch at Marmion; a 1-0 tourney finale setback versus Lake Zurich; plus a 2-1 overtime disappointment in a CCL crossover at St. Francis.
“We’ve been down enough and falling behind again today was just too much of a letdown,” said Marmion’s Ian Swindle, who was determined to get an equalizer and proceeded to assist on three other goals en route to earning Chicagoland Soccer's Man of the Match distinction.
“I think the importance of that goal was more than just answering theirs, it restored our confidence and got us to open up our offense,” Swindle added. “And I believe the key for us going forward is to keep taking chances.”
Bishop McNamara’s Andrew Kyrouac was actually the first player to have a gamble pay off. The Fighting Irish junior put the visitors ahead just 5:05 into the match with a 29-yard direct free kick from the right wing.
“I saw an opportunity with their goalie playing more near post and leaving the left side wide open,” Kyrouac explained in regard to his third goal of the season. “Seeing it hit the far side netting was an amazing feeling.”
With 9:48 played, Marmion’s Swindle became the shot in the arm the Cadets needed. Luke Salamon, a senior tri-captain, set up Swindle for a six-yard finish inside the right post.
Just over eight minutes elapsed when James Serrano took a feed from Aidan Reynolds and parked his shot from nine yards out right of center. The idea of the junior tri-captain scoring what would be the eventual game-winning strike seemed fair considering he had all three of Marmion’s previous goals.
Suddenly the Cadets began accumulating chances in rapid-fire succession, but to no avail, until 3:06 remained prior to intermission. That’s when T.J. Laurich took a cross from Swindle, dribbled past a defender, and smacked a left-footed shot inside the right half of the goal.
Sensing McNamara’s disappointment, Marmion struck again with 1:33 left in the opening half.
Serrano found Salamon in the clear on the right side for a five-yard shot that was tucked past Fighting Irish goalie Jesus Jimenez for a 4-1 halftime advantage.
“Connecting into the net in the final third of the field like we did should get our confidence up,” said new Marmion coach Jimmy Romano after his first victory at the school. “We’ve had a lot of close games, be it one-goal losses or ones that were a little closer than the score showed. We created chances in those, but just were not able to put the ball in the back of the net. Having a number of players involved in scoring goals or getting assists should be a big boost.”
The second half was just a tick past six minutes when a Swindle offering led to a nine-yard header by David Lawinger. At 54:45 gone, Robert Quintana and Jack Kavanaugh added their names to the offensive output with an assist and goal, respectively.
Just under seven minutes elapsed when another Swindle helper led to a score, this time a 10-yard finish by Drew Noecker.
“Getting assists from taking corner kicks or free kicks is also rewarding,” Swindle noted. “It’s a combination of placement and consistency in order to help teammates score.”
Despite Marmion substituting liberally in the second half, the majority of play was spent in the Bishop McNamara half of the field and a loose ball was too tempting for Kavanaugh to pass on. The junior’s second goal capped the scoring 17 seconds prior to the final horn.
“We still have to keep working on passing and technique in order to keep improving on the formations we’re now using,” Serrano said. “We’re still a pretty young team, and at times it’s been hard on our freshmen and sophomores as we try to perfect some new formations. Like experimenting with a 5-3-2 set-up from which the defense has been pretty good, but the attack needed to get better. I credit the younger guys for sticking with it. It’s why I believe as the season progresses we’ll keep improving.”
Romano was encouraged to see Swindle becoming more assertive.
“I saw a lot of positives from him today,” Romano said of the sophomore. “He played well and was very creative. He knew where he wanted to go with the ball, and I think he proved to himself and his teammates how a little confidence can go a long way.
“Defensively, Matt Lagman at center back really helped hold it together in back. He’s a hard worker whose energy drives others,” Romano said in complimenting the senior tri-captain.
Lagman will be back in competition on Friday since he doubles as a kicker for Marmion’s football team, which is off to a 2-0-0 start. The Cadets have previously had students compete for the soccer and football squads. Ironically, Lagman handles a defensive role for the soccer squad, and there were times Thursday when it appeared as if a few teammates were auditioning for his football role.
Several Cadets blasted chances well over the soccer and field goal crossbars in dominating both halves statistically. Marmion had a 40-3 advantage for overall attempts, including a 20-2 edge in shots on goal. The Cadets also had a 6-0 tally for corner kicks, making it an easier outing for Jason Baker and Jeffrey Walter to share the goalie duties.
For the Fighting Irish (3-4-0), Jimenez had a few highlight-reel worthy saves. Only a sophomore, he was tested throughout the match. McNamara's low numbers on the attack (two-of-three attempts on target) was less an indication of efficiency than inexperience. In addition to a lack of numbers, coach Vincent Mikhwanazi has to devote time to stressing fundamentals more than formations.
“Right now our emphasis is still building a team. There are a few on the roster who are more instinctive players, but they have teammates learning the game,” Mikhwanazi said. “We are succeeding in terms of never quitting. There’s no question about their character. We’ll continue to work on doing the right things regardless of the score.”
Starting lineups
Bishop McNamara
GK Jesus Jimenez
D Brandon Medina
D Ricardo Valtierra
D Edwin Hernandez
D Aldo Hernandez
M Christopher Sanchez
M Andrew Kyrouac
M Preston Lade
M Michael Kurzejka
F Ben Kuntz
F Ryan Hardesty
Marmion
GK Jason Baker
D Robert Quintana
D Aidan Reynolds
D Jack Kavanaugh
D Matt Lagman
D Johan Muscutt
M T.J. Laurich
M Ian Swindle
M David Lawinger
F Luke Salamon
F James Serrano
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Ian Swindle, so., MF, Marmion,
Officials: Bryce Cann (center), Miguel Chavez, Jen Wegner
Game summary
Marmion 8, Bishop McNamara 1
Bishop McNamara 1 0 -- 1 3-4-0
Marmion 4 4 -- 8 1-6-1
Scoring
BM – Kyrouac 29-yard right wing direct free kick (unassisted), 5:05 gone
M – Swindle six-yard finish inside right post (Salamon assist), 9:48 gone
M – Serrano nine-yard strike from right of center (Reynolds assist), 17:53 gone
M – Laurich left-footed seven-yarder inside right post (Swindle assist), 36:54 gone
M – Salamon right side five-yarder tucked past keeper (Serrano assist), 38:27 gone
M – D. Lawinger nine-yard header to the left (Swindle assist), 46:01 gone
M – Kavanaugh 11-yard blast caroms off defenders (Quintana assist), 54:46 gone
M – Noecker 10-yard boot from middle (Swindle assist), 61:43 gone
M – Kavanaugh eight-yard putback of a loose ball (unassisted), 79:44 gone
Shots
BM 1 – 2 -- 3
M 19 – 21 -- 40
Shots on goal
BM 1 – 1 -- 2
M 9 – 11 -- 20
Saves (goalie)
BM 5-7-12 (Jimenez)
M 0-1- 1 (Baker 0; Walter 1)
Corner kicks
BM 0 – 0 -- 0
M 2 – 4 -- 6
Offsides
BM 0 – 0 -- 0
M 1 – 3 -- 14