Meadows tops CLS
in friendly between friends
Salemi gives Mustangs 1-0 victory in ranked nonconference battle
By Mike Garofola
ROLLING MEADOWS -- Joe Salemi netted the game’s only goal to lead Rolling Meadows past Crystal Lake South in a “Labor Day Special” between two longtime coaching friends, who each wore the home team's kit in their prep days.
Salemi's strike on the stroke of 49 minutes handed Brian Allen’s men their first loss of the season, while moving his team and coach Brett Olson to a 4-0-0 mark overall.
"This is a game we always look forward to playing. Not only because Brian and I played here, but also he does a great job with his guys, and he always has a great team and one we know will challenge us," said Olson, who is a 2005 graduate of Rolling Meadows and just the third manager in program history behind Chuck Peterson, and Peter Mikulak.
The pattern of this match was set from the opening whistle. The Mustangs allowed Crystal Lake South (5-1-0) to target and find its dangerous quartet of Sam Bahnfleth, Tom Coughlin, Michal Dejworek and Matt Horvath, who together should have put one of the chances they collectively created into the back of the net.
"I felt like we had good pressure and four really good quality looks in the first half, but their keeper was up to the task,” said Allen. “If we put one of those in, it might have been a different story in the end."
The loss of Bahnfleth to an upper leg injury near the half hour was a key blow to the attack, which relies on the Gators leading scorer in so many ways according to Allen.
"Sam has really embraced his role as our center forward after being (2019 graduate and Chicagoland Soccer Player of the Year) Alex Canfield's understudy," began Allen.
"He is so good in so many ways. He can beat you on the dribble, hold the ball with his back to the goal with his great upper body strength, and he just creates so much trouble for our opponents.
"We obviously had to make some adjustments when Sam went out. That's where Matt (Horvath) really stepped up for us. He's been outstanding as one of our senior captains and leaders and has really embraced the idea of doing what's best for the team."
Horvath was originally deployed as a backup to Bahnfleth, but has recently found a home out on the wing for the Gators.
Rolling Meadows freshman keeper Marceli Okonski, who was in the starting 11 for the first time in his career, stood out in the 11th minute. He got just enough of his right glove on a Coughlin blast to send the would-be goal out of the area.
Okonski was confident minutes later when Dejworek was allowed to tee-up an attempt from 30 yards. He kept the Gators off the scoreboard.
"We received great efforts from both of our keepers today to help us get this victory,” said Olson. “(Okonski) was terrific in his first start, and Ramon (Orozco), who came on after the break, was just as amazing."
Okonski stepped up again when he turned away Horvath’s near-post missile in the 22nd minute.
The home side finally came into the game after the Okonski save, thanks in part to the Mustangs all-state candidate Gage Lockley, who his teammates found with a little more regularity in his spot in the center of the park.
"(Crystal Lake South) had a lot of the play in that first half," said Olson. “We had to lean on our backline quite a bit until we got our feet underneath -- our two center backs, Aidan O'Brien and Ethan Kossack, and of course, our outside backs Luke Bieda and Iliya Kachokov
"Aidan is so tough. He has terrific pace for a defender a great leg. He's the type of take-charge guy we need back there."
Kossack was recently awarded the coveted Varsity Heart and Hustle Belt, an honor bestowed upon Rolling Meadows players whose key performances off the bench are recognized.
"We had some trouble matching (their) energy in the first half," admitted O'Brien, who shared Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honors with Tomasz Slawek.
"(But) we were able to hold them off in the first half, and (then) came out with plenty of energy, urgency and a better plan on how we wanted to attack them."
Perhaps sensing one goal might be enough to decide this nonconference contest, both sides treated the audience to exciting box-to-box play to begin the second half.
Two counters executed by the Rolling Meadows duo of Wilson Espino and Ben Gilgor caused some nervous moments in the visitors end. So did a well-struck free kick by Bieda that forced Crystal Lake South to parry out of the area.
The Gators answered with Horvath's half-volley from in-close that came courtesy of some lovely work from Dejworek, who brought down a deep throw from Dayton Murphy. The effort was saved smartly by Orozco in the 48th minute.
Moments later, Salemi became the hero when he followed Lockley's stinging free kick from 22 yards that spilled off the gloves of Chris Slawek.
Salemi, composed while in a crowd, found the loose ball and steered in the game-winner.
"You have to take advantage of opportunities when they are there (and) that's what I was able to do," said Salemi with a smile.
"I knew if we outworked them in the second half, we could create some chances, and that's what happened.”
Orozco was the story of the final quarter hour. He showed plenty of confidence when challenged in the air on several balls sent into the box via long throws or free kicks.
Try as they might, Crystal Lake South was unable to pry open the Mustangs defense, despite buzzing around the area as they went in search of the equalizer.
"When you've been around soccer long enough, you know it's inevitable there will be games where you outshoot, and out-chance your opponents by a decent margin, but end up on the short end of the scoreboard," began Allen.
"In that second half, I thought we were trying to adjust to Sam being out of the lineup, and I really feel the guys let their concern for his injury distract them. But that's not taking anything away from Brett's team, who played very well, especially in the second half.
"Four games in seven days (the first three led to the Adam Sanchez title at Wauconda), then playing a quality side that made us uncomfortable in different ways, we’ll sit back and reflect, watch some film, then get after it again."
Olson could not have been more thrilled with his men, and this result.
"There were so many guys who really stepped up today to help us get a win against a very good opponent," said Olson.
"Gage (Lockley) once again was key for us in the middle, creating, winning balls, directing our attack. The backline, as I mentioned Bieda was terrific on the outside, both of our keepers, and the guys off the bench really gave us a spark when we needed it.
"I hope that no. 17 (Bahnfleth) is back soon for Brian, and how about their no. 21 (Tomasz Slawek) he hit so many great long balls out of the back today."
The defender will be a key player as Crystal Lake South chases high aspirations this season.
"We've been asking a lot of Tomasz as our quarterback and communicator in the back,” said Allen. “He's been dominating back there all year long.”
Rolling Meadows, ranked 18th in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, appreciates the gravity of their win over the no. 9 Gators.
"This was a big test for our guys today,” Olson said. “(Crystal Lake South) is going to make a lot of noise in the Class AA state series, and we're hoping to do the same in the Mid-Suburban League, and later when the (Class 3A) playoffs begin.
"The effort from everyone was terrific, and it's great that we have a roster that is deep and has the ability to come in and give us quality minutes when we ask them to.
"We have to get better with our finishing, so hopefully it's something we'll do when we play three games this week in Hampshire."
The Mustangs, who will now turn its attention to the Whip-Purs four-team invitational at the end of the week, have now registered three clean-sheets in four games.
Starting lineups
Crystal Lake South (4-3-3)
G- Chris Slawek
D- Andrew Smart
D- Tomasz Slawek
D- Josh Washington
D- Dayton Murphy
M- Nolan Getzinger
M- Tom Coughlin
M- Brendan Lewis
F- Matt Horvath
F- Sam Bahnfleth
F- Michal Dejworek
Rolling Meadows (4-4-2)
G- Marceli Okonski
D- Luke Bieda
D- Aidan O'Brien
D- Ethan Kossock
D- Iliya Kachakov
M- Joe Salemi
M- Gage Lockley
M- Brian Diaz
M- Andrew Flores
F- Ben Gligor
F- Wilson Espino
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match:
Aidan O'Brien (sr., D., Rolling Meadows
Tomasz Slawek, sr., D, Crystal Lake South
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Rolling Meadows: Salemi (Lockley), 49'
in friendly between friends
Salemi gives Mustangs 1-0 victory in ranked nonconference battle
By Mike Garofola
ROLLING MEADOWS -- Joe Salemi netted the game’s only goal to lead Rolling Meadows past Crystal Lake South in a “Labor Day Special” between two longtime coaching friends, who each wore the home team's kit in their prep days.
Salemi's strike on the stroke of 49 minutes handed Brian Allen’s men their first loss of the season, while moving his team and coach Brett Olson to a 4-0-0 mark overall.
"This is a game we always look forward to playing. Not only because Brian and I played here, but also he does a great job with his guys, and he always has a great team and one we know will challenge us," said Olson, who is a 2005 graduate of Rolling Meadows and just the third manager in program history behind Chuck Peterson, and Peter Mikulak.
The pattern of this match was set from the opening whistle. The Mustangs allowed Crystal Lake South (5-1-0) to target and find its dangerous quartet of Sam Bahnfleth, Tom Coughlin, Michal Dejworek and Matt Horvath, who together should have put one of the chances they collectively created into the back of the net.
"I felt like we had good pressure and four really good quality looks in the first half, but their keeper was up to the task,” said Allen. “If we put one of those in, it might have been a different story in the end."
The loss of Bahnfleth to an upper leg injury near the half hour was a key blow to the attack, which relies on the Gators leading scorer in so many ways according to Allen.
"Sam has really embraced his role as our center forward after being (2019 graduate and Chicagoland Soccer Player of the Year) Alex Canfield's understudy," began Allen.
"He is so good in so many ways. He can beat you on the dribble, hold the ball with his back to the goal with his great upper body strength, and he just creates so much trouble for our opponents.
"We obviously had to make some adjustments when Sam went out. That's where Matt (Horvath) really stepped up for us. He's been outstanding as one of our senior captains and leaders and has really embraced the idea of doing what's best for the team."
Horvath was originally deployed as a backup to Bahnfleth, but has recently found a home out on the wing for the Gators.
Rolling Meadows freshman keeper Marceli Okonski, who was in the starting 11 for the first time in his career, stood out in the 11th minute. He got just enough of his right glove on a Coughlin blast to send the would-be goal out of the area.
Okonski was confident minutes later when Dejworek was allowed to tee-up an attempt from 30 yards. He kept the Gators off the scoreboard.
"We received great efforts from both of our keepers today to help us get this victory,” said Olson. “(Okonski) was terrific in his first start, and Ramon (Orozco), who came on after the break, was just as amazing."
Okonski stepped up again when he turned away Horvath’s near-post missile in the 22nd minute.
The home side finally came into the game after the Okonski save, thanks in part to the Mustangs all-state candidate Gage Lockley, who his teammates found with a little more regularity in his spot in the center of the park.
"(Crystal Lake South) had a lot of the play in that first half," said Olson. “We had to lean on our backline quite a bit until we got our feet underneath -- our two center backs, Aidan O'Brien and Ethan Kossack, and of course, our outside backs Luke Bieda and Iliya Kachokov
"Aidan is so tough. He has terrific pace for a defender a great leg. He's the type of take-charge guy we need back there."
Kossack was recently awarded the coveted Varsity Heart and Hustle Belt, an honor bestowed upon Rolling Meadows players whose key performances off the bench are recognized.
"We had some trouble matching (their) energy in the first half," admitted O'Brien, who shared Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honors with Tomasz Slawek.
"(But) we were able to hold them off in the first half, and (then) came out with plenty of energy, urgency and a better plan on how we wanted to attack them."
Perhaps sensing one goal might be enough to decide this nonconference contest, both sides treated the audience to exciting box-to-box play to begin the second half.
Two counters executed by the Rolling Meadows duo of Wilson Espino and Ben Gilgor caused some nervous moments in the visitors end. So did a well-struck free kick by Bieda that forced Crystal Lake South to parry out of the area.
The Gators answered with Horvath's half-volley from in-close that came courtesy of some lovely work from Dejworek, who brought down a deep throw from Dayton Murphy. The effort was saved smartly by Orozco in the 48th minute.
Moments later, Salemi became the hero when he followed Lockley's stinging free kick from 22 yards that spilled off the gloves of Chris Slawek.
Salemi, composed while in a crowd, found the loose ball and steered in the game-winner.
"You have to take advantage of opportunities when they are there (and) that's what I was able to do," said Salemi with a smile.
"I knew if we outworked them in the second half, we could create some chances, and that's what happened.”
Orozco was the story of the final quarter hour. He showed plenty of confidence when challenged in the air on several balls sent into the box via long throws or free kicks.
Try as they might, Crystal Lake South was unable to pry open the Mustangs defense, despite buzzing around the area as they went in search of the equalizer.
"When you've been around soccer long enough, you know it's inevitable there will be games where you outshoot, and out-chance your opponents by a decent margin, but end up on the short end of the scoreboard," began Allen.
"In that second half, I thought we were trying to adjust to Sam being out of the lineup, and I really feel the guys let their concern for his injury distract them. But that's not taking anything away from Brett's team, who played very well, especially in the second half.
"Four games in seven days (the first three led to the Adam Sanchez title at Wauconda), then playing a quality side that made us uncomfortable in different ways, we’ll sit back and reflect, watch some film, then get after it again."
Olson could not have been more thrilled with his men, and this result.
"There were so many guys who really stepped up today to help us get a win against a very good opponent," said Olson.
"Gage (Lockley) once again was key for us in the middle, creating, winning balls, directing our attack. The backline, as I mentioned Bieda was terrific on the outside, both of our keepers, and the guys off the bench really gave us a spark when we needed it.
"I hope that no. 17 (Bahnfleth) is back soon for Brian, and how about their no. 21 (Tomasz Slawek) he hit so many great long balls out of the back today."
The defender will be a key player as Crystal Lake South chases high aspirations this season.
"We've been asking a lot of Tomasz as our quarterback and communicator in the back,” said Allen. “He's been dominating back there all year long.”
Rolling Meadows, ranked 18th in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, appreciates the gravity of their win over the no. 9 Gators.
"This was a big test for our guys today,” Olson said. “(Crystal Lake South) is going to make a lot of noise in the Class AA state series, and we're hoping to do the same in the Mid-Suburban League, and later when the (Class 3A) playoffs begin.
"The effort from everyone was terrific, and it's great that we have a roster that is deep and has the ability to come in and give us quality minutes when we ask them to.
"We have to get better with our finishing, so hopefully it's something we'll do when we play three games this week in Hampshire."
The Mustangs, who will now turn its attention to the Whip-Purs four-team invitational at the end of the week, have now registered three clean-sheets in four games.
Starting lineups
Crystal Lake South (4-3-3)
G- Chris Slawek
D- Andrew Smart
D- Tomasz Slawek
D- Josh Washington
D- Dayton Murphy
M- Nolan Getzinger
M- Tom Coughlin
M- Brendan Lewis
F- Matt Horvath
F- Sam Bahnfleth
F- Michal Dejworek
Rolling Meadows (4-4-2)
G- Marceli Okonski
D- Luke Bieda
D- Aidan O'Brien
D- Ethan Kossock
D- Iliya Kachakov
M- Joe Salemi
M- Gage Lockley
M- Brian Diaz
M- Andrew Flores
F- Ben Gligor
F- Wilson Espino
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match:
Aidan O'Brien (sr., D., Rolling Meadows
Tomasz Slawek, sr., D, Crystal Lake South
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Rolling Meadows: Salemi (Lockley), 49'