Rolling Meadows rally ties Crystal Lake S.
Unlikely hero evens game versus reigning Class AA champs
By Ken Keenan
ROLLING MEADOWS -- Scrappy Rolling Meadows gave visiting Crystal Lake South all it could handle Friday night, scoring late to forge a 2-2 draw with the defending IHSA Class AA state champion Gators.
Mustangs senior midfielder Adan Ramirez netted the tying marker by connecting on a 20-yard free kick with 3:57 remaining in the contest. Ramirez, Chicagoland Soccer's Man of the Match, also assisted on his team's first goal, setting up junior forward Arnulfo Mora with a nifty pass on the doorstep following a corner kick in the 45th minute.
Mora's tally tied the match at 1-1 after Gators senior forward Alex Canfield, a 2018 Chicagoland Soccer All-Stater and Player of the Year finalist and 2019 USA Today Preseason All-American selection, opened the scoring on a header nine minutes into the match. Crystal Lake South nabbed a 2-1 lead in the 65th minute, when junior midfielder Tyler Getzinger buried a hard shot from short range after receiving a sharp cross from Canfield.
The game pitted Rolling Meadows High School alums and current head coaches Brian Allen (Crystal Lake South) and Brett Allen (the host Mustangs) in a friendly rivaly match. Both saw things they liked.
"This was a test we needed," said Allen, whose squad was ranked seventh in the Chicagoland Soccer state-wide preseason First 50 poll and exited the match with a 2-0-1 mark. "I thought our guys battled. But credit Rolling Meadows. They executed well and battled well ... played to the final whistle. I'm not happy with the result, but there's a lot we can take away in the long run. You play to learn, and we'll learn a lot from this."
Overall, the match was highlighted by strong defensive play by both teams, with Rolling Meadows paying special attention to the ever-dangerous Canfield in order to limit his opportunities.
"We knew it would be tough," said Ramirez, whose game-tying goal came on a low blast inside the near post from 20 yards on the right side. "We knew we had to fight, so we played like it was playoff game. And I don't get many goals, so it felt great to score on the free kick. I had a chance, and it felt very good to get it in ... an unforgettable feeling."
Added Rolling Meadows mentor Olson: "We challenged (Ramirez) and he responded. He hasn't been the go-to guy, and he responded tonight."
Mustangs junior defender Ryan Stubitsch said, "I think I was more hyped than (Ramirez) was when he scored. He really stepped up."
Stubitsch did the same in the back for the Mustangs (1-0-1), helping to mark Canfield and Co. as part of a determined effort that included senior defenders Jesus Padilla and Iasac San Roman, junior D-man Nikolay Pavlov and senior goalkeeper Pablo Zarate, among others.
"I'm really proud of all of us. It was a team effort," Stubitsch said. "We very organized in the back, a lot of intensity in the back. To go up against a state champ, I see it as a challenge. I think our team loves to compete, so we wanted to perform and show we're just as good against a state champ."
Added Olson: "Crystal Lake South is a different team from last year, but they bring intensity every game. They're very organized and consistent, but you can't be starstruck by it. We were on our heels in the first half, and Canfield did a lot. But you have to understand what to do to defend them, and we had to handle their intensity. Credit to our guys for responding."
Canfield's goal came on a deep throw-in from senior defender Jake Bimbi that somehow found the star forward's head among of sea of Mustangs converging in front of Zarate. The tally held up for a 1-0 lead at the break.
Five minutes into the second half, Rolling Meadows knotted the score at 1-1 on Mora's goal. The play started on a deep throw-in by Bimbi that Ramirez quickly shoveled to Mora, who beat Gators senior keeper Carson Hill with a short, snappy shot.
In the 51st minute, Canfield had a chance to regain the lead, but his head attempt on a well-placed corner kick by senior defender Danny Ciezadlo sailed over the crossbar. A minute later, Canfield danced in alone but was snuffed on a great save by Zarate.
With 26:10 remaining, Mustangs junior mid Ethan Kakavetsis unleashed a left-footed try from the right side that Hill stopped, and Rolling Meadows senior middie Joao Sanchez missed wide-left with a 35-yard missile in the 59th minute.
Canfield then set up the go-ahead goal with a superb cross from in-close on the left side that Getzinger finished with a hard shot past Zarate.
Ramirez had the final say, firing his free kick past Hill to tie it up at 2-2.
"It was frustrating," said speedy Crystal Lake South sophomore midfielder Tom Coughlin. "Alex (Canfield) got marked a lot, so there was open space. But (the Mustangs) were fast. Sometimes we couldn't attack the way we wanted."
Added Canfield: "Honestly, I don't think about being marked. I focus on myself and the team, and I thought we played super well. Everyone worked hard. We just have to keep working on our own game ... worry about us and our own skill and ability."
On the Mustangs' side, Olson said, "Yes, we tied the defending champs. We'll take the result. But we can't rest on it. We still have a lot of work to do."
Starting lineups
Crystal Lake South
G: Carson Hill
D: Jake Bimbi
D: Danny Ciezadlo
D: Tomasz Slawek
D: Pawel Dejworek
M: Tyler Getzinger
M: Tom Coughlin
M: Michael Dejworek
M: Sam Bahnfleth
F: Garret Schneider
F: Alex Canfield
Rolling Meadows
G: Pablo Zarate
D: Nikolay Pavlov
D: Ryan Stubitsch
D: Jesus Padilla
D: Isaac San Roman
M: Ethan Kakavetsis
M: Adan Ramirez
M: Fabian Sarabia
M: Erik Martens
M: Joao Sanchez
F: Arnulfo Mora
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Adan Ramirez, sr., MF, Rolling Meadows
Officials: Edward Sacha, Lukasz Zielinski, Michael Takeda
Scoring summary
First half
Crystal Lake South: Alex Canfield (assisted by Jake Bimbi) in 9th minute
Second half
Rolling Meadows: Arnulfo Mora (assisted by Adan Ramirez) in 45th minute
Crystal Lake South: Tyler Getzinger (assisted by Canfield) in 65th minute
Rolling Meadows: Ramirez (FK) in 77th minute
Unlikely hero evens game versus reigning Class AA champs
By Ken Keenan
ROLLING MEADOWS -- Scrappy Rolling Meadows gave visiting Crystal Lake South all it could handle Friday night, scoring late to forge a 2-2 draw with the defending IHSA Class AA state champion Gators.
Mustangs senior midfielder Adan Ramirez netted the tying marker by connecting on a 20-yard free kick with 3:57 remaining in the contest. Ramirez, Chicagoland Soccer's Man of the Match, also assisted on his team's first goal, setting up junior forward Arnulfo Mora with a nifty pass on the doorstep following a corner kick in the 45th minute.
Mora's tally tied the match at 1-1 after Gators senior forward Alex Canfield, a 2018 Chicagoland Soccer All-Stater and Player of the Year finalist and 2019 USA Today Preseason All-American selection, opened the scoring on a header nine minutes into the match. Crystal Lake South nabbed a 2-1 lead in the 65th minute, when junior midfielder Tyler Getzinger buried a hard shot from short range after receiving a sharp cross from Canfield.
The game pitted Rolling Meadows High School alums and current head coaches Brian Allen (Crystal Lake South) and Brett Allen (the host Mustangs) in a friendly rivaly match. Both saw things they liked.
"This was a test we needed," said Allen, whose squad was ranked seventh in the Chicagoland Soccer state-wide preseason First 50 poll and exited the match with a 2-0-1 mark. "I thought our guys battled. But credit Rolling Meadows. They executed well and battled well ... played to the final whistle. I'm not happy with the result, but there's a lot we can take away in the long run. You play to learn, and we'll learn a lot from this."
Overall, the match was highlighted by strong defensive play by both teams, with Rolling Meadows paying special attention to the ever-dangerous Canfield in order to limit his opportunities.
"We knew it would be tough," said Ramirez, whose game-tying goal came on a low blast inside the near post from 20 yards on the right side. "We knew we had to fight, so we played like it was playoff game. And I don't get many goals, so it felt great to score on the free kick. I had a chance, and it felt very good to get it in ... an unforgettable feeling."
Added Rolling Meadows mentor Olson: "We challenged (Ramirez) and he responded. He hasn't been the go-to guy, and he responded tonight."
Mustangs junior defender Ryan Stubitsch said, "I think I was more hyped than (Ramirez) was when he scored. He really stepped up."
Stubitsch did the same in the back for the Mustangs (1-0-1), helping to mark Canfield and Co. as part of a determined effort that included senior defenders Jesus Padilla and Iasac San Roman, junior D-man Nikolay Pavlov and senior goalkeeper Pablo Zarate, among others.
"I'm really proud of all of us. It was a team effort," Stubitsch said. "We very organized in the back, a lot of intensity in the back. To go up against a state champ, I see it as a challenge. I think our team loves to compete, so we wanted to perform and show we're just as good against a state champ."
Added Olson: "Crystal Lake South is a different team from last year, but they bring intensity every game. They're very organized and consistent, but you can't be starstruck by it. We were on our heels in the first half, and Canfield did a lot. But you have to understand what to do to defend them, and we had to handle their intensity. Credit to our guys for responding."
Canfield's goal came on a deep throw-in from senior defender Jake Bimbi that somehow found the star forward's head among of sea of Mustangs converging in front of Zarate. The tally held up for a 1-0 lead at the break.
Five minutes into the second half, Rolling Meadows knotted the score at 1-1 on Mora's goal. The play started on a deep throw-in by Bimbi that Ramirez quickly shoveled to Mora, who beat Gators senior keeper Carson Hill with a short, snappy shot.
In the 51st minute, Canfield had a chance to regain the lead, but his head attempt on a well-placed corner kick by senior defender Danny Ciezadlo sailed over the crossbar. A minute later, Canfield danced in alone but was snuffed on a great save by Zarate.
With 26:10 remaining, Mustangs junior mid Ethan Kakavetsis unleashed a left-footed try from the right side that Hill stopped, and Rolling Meadows senior middie Joao Sanchez missed wide-left with a 35-yard missile in the 59th minute.
Canfield then set up the go-ahead goal with a superb cross from in-close on the left side that Getzinger finished with a hard shot past Zarate.
Ramirez had the final say, firing his free kick past Hill to tie it up at 2-2.
"It was frustrating," said speedy Crystal Lake South sophomore midfielder Tom Coughlin. "Alex (Canfield) got marked a lot, so there was open space. But (the Mustangs) were fast. Sometimes we couldn't attack the way we wanted."
Added Canfield: "Honestly, I don't think about being marked. I focus on myself and the team, and I thought we played super well. Everyone worked hard. We just have to keep working on our own game ... worry about us and our own skill and ability."
On the Mustangs' side, Olson said, "Yes, we tied the defending champs. We'll take the result. But we can't rest on it. We still have a lot of work to do."
Starting lineups
Crystal Lake South
G: Carson Hill
D: Jake Bimbi
D: Danny Ciezadlo
D: Tomasz Slawek
D: Pawel Dejworek
M: Tyler Getzinger
M: Tom Coughlin
M: Michael Dejworek
M: Sam Bahnfleth
F: Garret Schneider
F: Alex Canfield
Rolling Meadows
G: Pablo Zarate
D: Nikolay Pavlov
D: Ryan Stubitsch
D: Jesus Padilla
D: Isaac San Roman
M: Ethan Kakavetsis
M: Adan Ramirez
M: Fabian Sarabia
M: Erik Martens
M: Joao Sanchez
F: Arnulfo Mora
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Adan Ramirez, sr., MF, Rolling Meadows
Officials: Edward Sacha, Lukasz Zielinski, Michael Takeda
Scoring summary
First half
Crystal Lake South: Alex Canfield (assisted by Jake Bimbi) in 9th minute
Second half
Rolling Meadows: Arnulfo Mora (assisted by Adan Ramirez) in 45th minute
Crystal Lake South: Tyler Getzinger (assisted by Canfield) in 65th minute
Rolling Meadows: Ramirez (FK) in 77th minute