St. Patrick's 2nd half does in Fremd
Buelvas, Torres duo due bulk of damage in 5-3 'super' win
By Mike Garofola
BARRINGTON -- It took a while for St. Patrick to get out of second gear, but once it did the Shamrocks stayed in the fast lane right up until the final whistle and sent its fans into a frenzied celebration heard all the way back home on Belmont Avenue.
Mid-Suburban League champion Fremd held down the Shamrocks vaunted attack for 50 minutes, but Jaden Buelvas and Joshua Torres proved too much for the Vikings.
Buelvas scored twice, and Torres scored once, assisted twice and won a penalty to lead the Shamrocks to a well-deserved 5-3 victory Tuesday night at spacious Barrington Community Stadium.
The Shamrocks 25th win of the season sends Kyle McClure’s club into this Friday's Class 3A 7 p.m. state semifinal against Morton. The game is a rematch of the Sunday Series final in which the Mustangs won in 5-4 in kicks after a 2-2 regulation tie on October 13.
Tuesday was one of those nights that reminded us all as to why fans of soccer love it so much.
"That second half might have been our best half of soccer we've played on both sides of the ball this season, and I think we showed we're one of the top teams in the state and that we belong in the final weekend of the season," said McClure.
"I thought the most important thing was we stick to our game plan, which was to keep attacking, keep the pressure on and to hopefully wear them down. Because if it turned into a shootout, we would have a great chance of winning in regulation."
Vikings manager Steve Keller said in the hours before this supersectional contest how important it was to keep St. Patrick junior Joshua Torres (37 goals) from continuing to play like the difference-maker he has become this fall.
"We talked about some of the things we needed to do - and perhaps the most important was to contain no. 21 (Torres) in order to enhance our chances of advancing," began Keller.
"I felt like we did a very good job of doing just that in the first half. Unfortunately, we were not able to do the same to nos. 20 (Buelvas) and 23 (Aaron Moreno-Lopez), who caused us plenty of problems."
If there were any questions whether the sub-32 degree conditions would play a factor in this highly anticipated final, they were quickly dispelled as both sides got off to wonderful starts, much to the delight of the big crown.
"We knew just how good of a team St. Patrick was. I thought we came out really strong from the start," said Fremd senior midfielder John Kating.
“I knew we were ready to go after a couple of slow starts against Warren and Libertyville at sectionals.”
Kating and teammate Kaelan Conway both said how much Keller stressed the important of dead-ball opportunities, one of the real strengths of the 2019 Vikings. When they created a corner in the seventh minute, the hope of striking first was on their minds.
"We had to keep their chances on deep throws, free kicks and corners to a minimum," said St. Patrick's gifted left-outside back Jonathan Rodriguez. “We saw on film and from scouting reports on just how dangerous they were. In the end, I thought we did a very good job defending their chances all night long.”
On this first Fremd corner of the evening from Russell Beaupre, the effort spilled free near the edge where C.J. Williams sent his attempt just over the bear.
The game’s next chance fell to Moreno-Lopez, who unloaded a wicked low drive that was redirected just outside Fremd keeper Artur Cholewa's back post.
Rodriguez and LuisAngel Saucedo, who enjoyed a wonderful night, played a neat little one-two combination that set Saucedo free on the left side.
His snap shot hit the hand of a Vikings defender and sent Moreno-Lopez to the spot. The conversion, his 16th goal of the season, gave the Shamrocks the lead in the 16th minute.
"(That) PK was a key point in the game, because we were playing well, and with a lot of confidence," said Fremd’s Conway.
"I agree with what Kaelan said about that first PK,” Kating said. “But we've been so resilient all season long, especially in the playoffs, so when we got back even a few minutes later I knew we would be in good shape."
It was another Beaupre corner, this one hit with precise weight and enough curl to float over the Shamrocks defense, that found the head of Kating, who thumped his shot the other way and in at 17 minutes.
"It wasn't a big surprise they scored on a dead-ball. They are so good in that part of their game,” Saucedo said. “But we didn't defend that corner very well. We got much better as the game went on."
Some careless play in the St. Patrick end followed and gave sophomore Eli Schoffstall a chance, but the Vikings sophomore saw his attempt go straight at Shamrocks keeper Jorge Cebrero.
Torres had his first quality touch of the period just before the half hour when he sent an effort on frame for Artur Cholewa to stop.
Both managers went to their bench in an effort to keep fresh legs on with the hopes their starters had plenty in reserve after the intermission.
"We cycled a few guys in and out along out backline all night and on the outside,” McClure said. “The plan seemed to work well, because the guys looked sharp in the second half."
Julian Morales, one of a handful of men brought on off the bench for Fremd did well to give Kyle Johnston a good look on frame. It ended with the junior rattling the bar at 33 minutes.
"Kyle went close, so did Beaupre just after the break (so) we created chances,” Keller said. “But in this game, it's all about finishing, and it's something we did not do as well as St. Patrick. They have a couple of players who are dangerous with nearly every touch in close."
The first 40 minutes of soccer were pulsating, entertaining and well-officiated and set up what looked to be setting up a thrilling race to the finish.
"We felt like we were in good shape heading out of the break. But as good a job as we did marking no. 21 (Torres), we weren't at our best in the second half when he showed just how amazing a player he is.”
Torres found a little more space than he had in the opening period and took full advantage to inspire the Shamrocks attack, which slowly pried open the Vikings defense.
Torres, Angel Adame and Moreno-Lopez combined for some magic that saw Torres dazzle his way to the end line and play back to Moreno-Lopez, whose close-range smash went over the bar.
After a handball outside the box saw Jake Schoffstall bend his free kick around the St. Patrick wall for a Cebrero save, a deep long-throw by Rodriguez in the 54th minute led to the first of two Buelvas goals.
"We saw (on film) how good of a throw no. 11 (Rodriguez) had, but it was even bigger and stronger in person,” Conway said. “That second goal they scored was a mistake on our part."
"I think if we came back and equalized just as quick as the first time, things might have gone a different way," suggested Kating.
"But when they made it 3-1 a few minutes later, we were forced to chase two goals against a great team."
Knowing the next goal might be the biggest one of the night, the intensity in 50-50s, second balls and nearly every tackle increased two-fold.
Referee Jay Haas did well to let both sides play while still wary of anything that might deemed inexcusable.
Torres' brilliance shined through on St. Patrick’s next goal when he collected a long ball out of the back and raced away from a defender to open space on the weak side for Buelvas. The devastating early ball made it near impossible for Buelvas to miss his double at 61 minutes.
"No. 21 is electric with and without the ball,” Keller said. “He can finish or set others up, all the time doing it so quickly while making it look so easy."
Torres created a PK when he tricked his way along the end line, where he was subsequently fouled inside the box four minutes after Buelvas’ brace.
His spot kick was saved bravely by Cholewa, but the rebound spilled just away from the Vikings senior and onto the boot of opportunistic Sebastian Estrada for an easy tap-in.
"We were a little unlucky on that fourth goal,” Conway said. “But this team never gave in. I knew we would play hard until the final whistle, regardless of the advantage St. Patrick had."
The senior halved the lead in the 74th minute, then drew his club even closer when he converted his spot kick at 77 minutes after a player was hauled down in the box during a scrum following a Beaupre serve.
Going for the equalizer, the Vikings were caught pushing numbers forward, and Torres put a dagger into the hearts of the Fremd faithful one minute from time.
"This is just an amazing night for St. Patrick soccer," said a thrilled Saucedo, who was part of the 2017 club that brought home its first ever state trophy (4th place) at the Class AA state tournament.
"We knew nos. 10 and 11 (Eli and Jake Schoffstall) scored over half of their goals, so it was important for us to keep a close eye on both of them, which we did almost all night long," began McClure.
"When we play the way we did in the second half, I feel that we can get into that final on Saturday and have a great chance of winning it all."
For Beaupre, Conway and Kating, along with Josh Bennett, Cole Jackson, Jake Schoffstall, Williams, and Cholewa, all of whom were on the 2017 squad as sophomores, soccer has officially ended at Fremd.
"It stings right now knowing this was our last game together, but in a day or two that feeling will go away, and all of us will remember the great times we had together," said Beaupre, who finished with team-high 12 assists.
Schoffstall, a two-time coaches’ all-state central defender, led all goal scorers with 16, one more than his younger brother Eli.
Conway starred along the back of a very stingy defense alongside Jake Schoffstall, Jackson and Andrew Clark, while Kating, whom Keller deployed all over his midfield, and on occasion in his backline proved to be key figures in the Vikings lifting the MSL championship trophy, as well as regional and sectional crowns.
"It's been mentioned before, but many of us began playing together at a young age, so to come this far this season and to win three trophies is a great achievement, despite what happened tonight, "said Conway, who is leaning heavily on attending Indiana University next fall.
"It's been the best of times for all of us seniors, who I will miss very much, as well as Keller, who has kept us focused and always prepared for each opponent we play," added Kating, who is on his way to Missouri upon graduation.
Keller will welcome back (13) from this roster, six of whom received first 11 minutes or quality time off the bench. Other reinforcements will be on the way from a strong freshman and sophomore class.
"We were beaten by the better team tonight, that's how it goes sometime, but I told the guys to walk out of here with their heads held high, because I am very proud of them, and they should feel the same way also," began Keller.
"It's been a fun and enjoyable journey with this group -- a group that is a joy to be around and one that I will miss because they are such a special bunch of young men."
This side of the Class 3A bracket that included Fremd, Morton, Naperville North and St. Patrick proved to be the group of granite this fall with all four nationally ranked by Top Drawer Soccer. The quarter was each ranked in the top 10 regionally by the same service.
Starting lineups
Fremd (4-4-2)
G- Artur Cholewa
D- Kaelan Conway
D- Luke Schoffstall
D- Cole Jackson
D- Andrew Clark
M- Nick Austin
M- John Kating
M- Russell Beaupre
M- CJ Williams
F- Eli Schoffstall
F- Josh Bennett
St. Patrick (4-3-3)
G- Jorge Cebrero
D- Jonathan Rodriguez
D- Adam Przytula
D- Collin Krueger
D- Narcizo Ibarra
M- Angel Adame
M- Aaron Moreno-Lopez
M- Sebastian Modrzejewski
F- LuisAngel Saucedo
F- Joshua Torres
F- Jaden Buelvas
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Jaden Buelvas, jr., F, St. Patrick
Joshua Torres, r., F, St. Patrick
Referee: Jay Haas
Scoring summary
First half
St. Patrick: Moreno-Lopez (PK) 11'
Fremd: Kating (Beaupre) 17'
Second half
St. Patrick: Buelvas (Przytula) 54'
St. Patrick: Buelvas (Torres) 61
St. Patrick: Estrada (U/A) 65'
Fremd: Conway (U/A) 74'
Fremd: Conway (PK) 77'
St. Patrick: Torres (Moreno-Lopez) 79'
Buelvas, Torres duo due bulk of damage in 5-3 'super' win
By Mike Garofola
BARRINGTON -- It took a while for St. Patrick to get out of second gear, but once it did the Shamrocks stayed in the fast lane right up until the final whistle and sent its fans into a frenzied celebration heard all the way back home on Belmont Avenue.
Mid-Suburban League champion Fremd held down the Shamrocks vaunted attack for 50 minutes, but Jaden Buelvas and Joshua Torres proved too much for the Vikings.
Buelvas scored twice, and Torres scored once, assisted twice and won a penalty to lead the Shamrocks to a well-deserved 5-3 victory Tuesday night at spacious Barrington Community Stadium.
The Shamrocks 25th win of the season sends Kyle McClure’s club into this Friday's Class 3A 7 p.m. state semifinal against Morton. The game is a rematch of the Sunday Series final in which the Mustangs won in 5-4 in kicks after a 2-2 regulation tie on October 13.
Tuesday was one of those nights that reminded us all as to why fans of soccer love it so much.
"That second half might have been our best half of soccer we've played on both sides of the ball this season, and I think we showed we're one of the top teams in the state and that we belong in the final weekend of the season," said McClure.
"I thought the most important thing was we stick to our game plan, which was to keep attacking, keep the pressure on and to hopefully wear them down. Because if it turned into a shootout, we would have a great chance of winning in regulation."
Vikings manager Steve Keller said in the hours before this supersectional contest how important it was to keep St. Patrick junior Joshua Torres (37 goals) from continuing to play like the difference-maker he has become this fall.
"We talked about some of the things we needed to do - and perhaps the most important was to contain no. 21 (Torres) in order to enhance our chances of advancing," began Keller.
"I felt like we did a very good job of doing just that in the first half. Unfortunately, we were not able to do the same to nos. 20 (Buelvas) and 23 (Aaron Moreno-Lopez), who caused us plenty of problems."
If there were any questions whether the sub-32 degree conditions would play a factor in this highly anticipated final, they were quickly dispelled as both sides got off to wonderful starts, much to the delight of the big crown.
"We knew just how good of a team St. Patrick was. I thought we came out really strong from the start," said Fremd senior midfielder John Kating.
“I knew we were ready to go after a couple of slow starts against Warren and Libertyville at sectionals.”
Kating and teammate Kaelan Conway both said how much Keller stressed the important of dead-ball opportunities, one of the real strengths of the 2019 Vikings. When they created a corner in the seventh minute, the hope of striking first was on their minds.
"We had to keep their chances on deep throws, free kicks and corners to a minimum," said St. Patrick's gifted left-outside back Jonathan Rodriguez. “We saw on film and from scouting reports on just how dangerous they were. In the end, I thought we did a very good job defending their chances all night long.”
On this first Fremd corner of the evening from Russell Beaupre, the effort spilled free near the edge where C.J. Williams sent his attempt just over the bear.
The game’s next chance fell to Moreno-Lopez, who unloaded a wicked low drive that was redirected just outside Fremd keeper Artur Cholewa's back post.
Rodriguez and LuisAngel Saucedo, who enjoyed a wonderful night, played a neat little one-two combination that set Saucedo free on the left side.
His snap shot hit the hand of a Vikings defender and sent Moreno-Lopez to the spot. The conversion, his 16th goal of the season, gave the Shamrocks the lead in the 16th minute.
"(That) PK was a key point in the game, because we were playing well, and with a lot of confidence," said Fremd’s Conway.
"I agree with what Kaelan said about that first PK,” Kating said. “But we've been so resilient all season long, especially in the playoffs, so when we got back even a few minutes later I knew we would be in good shape."
It was another Beaupre corner, this one hit with precise weight and enough curl to float over the Shamrocks defense, that found the head of Kating, who thumped his shot the other way and in at 17 minutes.
"It wasn't a big surprise they scored on a dead-ball. They are so good in that part of their game,” Saucedo said. “But we didn't defend that corner very well. We got much better as the game went on."
Some careless play in the St. Patrick end followed and gave sophomore Eli Schoffstall a chance, but the Vikings sophomore saw his attempt go straight at Shamrocks keeper Jorge Cebrero.
Torres had his first quality touch of the period just before the half hour when he sent an effort on frame for Artur Cholewa to stop.
Both managers went to their bench in an effort to keep fresh legs on with the hopes their starters had plenty in reserve after the intermission.
"We cycled a few guys in and out along out backline all night and on the outside,” McClure said. “The plan seemed to work well, because the guys looked sharp in the second half."
Julian Morales, one of a handful of men brought on off the bench for Fremd did well to give Kyle Johnston a good look on frame. It ended with the junior rattling the bar at 33 minutes.
"Kyle went close, so did Beaupre just after the break (so) we created chances,” Keller said. “But in this game, it's all about finishing, and it's something we did not do as well as St. Patrick. They have a couple of players who are dangerous with nearly every touch in close."
The first 40 minutes of soccer were pulsating, entertaining and well-officiated and set up what looked to be setting up a thrilling race to the finish.
"We felt like we were in good shape heading out of the break. But as good a job as we did marking no. 21 (Torres), we weren't at our best in the second half when he showed just how amazing a player he is.”
Torres found a little more space than he had in the opening period and took full advantage to inspire the Shamrocks attack, which slowly pried open the Vikings defense.
Torres, Angel Adame and Moreno-Lopez combined for some magic that saw Torres dazzle his way to the end line and play back to Moreno-Lopez, whose close-range smash went over the bar.
After a handball outside the box saw Jake Schoffstall bend his free kick around the St. Patrick wall for a Cebrero save, a deep long-throw by Rodriguez in the 54th minute led to the first of two Buelvas goals.
"We saw (on film) how good of a throw no. 11 (Rodriguez) had, but it was even bigger and stronger in person,” Conway said. “That second goal they scored was a mistake on our part."
"I think if we came back and equalized just as quick as the first time, things might have gone a different way," suggested Kating.
"But when they made it 3-1 a few minutes later, we were forced to chase two goals against a great team."
Knowing the next goal might be the biggest one of the night, the intensity in 50-50s, second balls and nearly every tackle increased two-fold.
Referee Jay Haas did well to let both sides play while still wary of anything that might deemed inexcusable.
Torres' brilliance shined through on St. Patrick’s next goal when he collected a long ball out of the back and raced away from a defender to open space on the weak side for Buelvas. The devastating early ball made it near impossible for Buelvas to miss his double at 61 minutes.
"No. 21 is electric with and without the ball,” Keller said. “He can finish or set others up, all the time doing it so quickly while making it look so easy."
Torres created a PK when he tricked his way along the end line, where he was subsequently fouled inside the box four minutes after Buelvas’ brace.
His spot kick was saved bravely by Cholewa, but the rebound spilled just away from the Vikings senior and onto the boot of opportunistic Sebastian Estrada for an easy tap-in.
"We were a little unlucky on that fourth goal,” Conway said. “But this team never gave in. I knew we would play hard until the final whistle, regardless of the advantage St. Patrick had."
The senior halved the lead in the 74th minute, then drew his club even closer when he converted his spot kick at 77 minutes after a player was hauled down in the box during a scrum following a Beaupre serve.
Going for the equalizer, the Vikings were caught pushing numbers forward, and Torres put a dagger into the hearts of the Fremd faithful one minute from time.
"This is just an amazing night for St. Patrick soccer," said a thrilled Saucedo, who was part of the 2017 club that brought home its first ever state trophy (4th place) at the Class AA state tournament.
"We knew nos. 10 and 11 (Eli and Jake Schoffstall) scored over half of their goals, so it was important for us to keep a close eye on both of them, which we did almost all night long," began McClure.
"When we play the way we did in the second half, I feel that we can get into that final on Saturday and have a great chance of winning it all."
For Beaupre, Conway and Kating, along with Josh Bennett, Cole Jackson, Jake Schoffstall, Williams, and Cholewa, all of whom were on the 2017 squad as sophomores, soccer has officially ended at Fremd.
"It stings right now knowing this was our last game together, but in a day or two that feeling will go away, and all of us will remember the great times we had together," said Beaupre, who finished with team-high 12 assists.
Schoffstall, a two-time coaches’ all-state central defender, led all goal scorers with 16, one more than his younger brother Eli.
Conway starred along the back of a very stingy defense alongside Jake Schoffstall, Jackson and Andrew Clark, while Kating, whom Keller deployed all over his midfield, and on occasion in his backline proved to be key figures in the Vikings lifting the MSL championship trophy, as well as regional and sectional crowns.
"It's been mentioned before, but many of us began playing together at a young age, so to come this far this season and to win three trophies is a great achievement, despite what happened tonight, "said Conway, who is leaning heavily on attending Indiana University next fall.
"It's been the best of times for all of us seniors, who I will miss very much, as well as Keller, who has kept us focused and always prepared for each opponent we play," added Kating, who is on his way to Missouri upon graduation.
Keller will welcome back (13) from this roster, six of whom received first 11 minutes or quality time off the bench. Other reinforcements will be on the way from a strong freshman and sophomore class.
"We were beaten by the better team tonight, that's how it goes sometime, but I told the guys to walk out of here with their heads held high, because I am very proud of them, and they should feel the same way also," began Keller.
"It's been a fun and enjoyable journey with this group -- a group that is a joy to be around and one that I will miss because they are such a special bunch of young men."
This side of the Class 3A bracket that included Fremd, Morton, Naperville North and St. Patrick proved to be the group of granite this fall with all four nationally ranked by Top Drawer Soccer. The quarter was each ranked in the top 10 regionally by the same service.
Starting lineups
Fremd (4-4-2)
G- Artur Cholewa
D- Kaelan Conway
D- Luke Schoffstall
D- Cole Jackson
D- Andrew Clark
M- Nick Austin
M- John Kating
M- Russell Beaupre
M- CJ Williams
F- Eli Schoffstall
F- Josh Bennett
St. Patrick (4-3-3)
G- Jorge Cebrero
D- Jonathan Rodriguez
D- Adam Przytula
D- Collin Krueger
D- Narcizo Ibarra
M- Angel Adame
M- Aaron Moreno-Lopez
M- Sebastian Modrzejewski
F- LuisAngel Saucedo
F- Joshua Torres
F- Jaden Buelvas
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Jaden Buelvas, jr., F, St. Patrick
Joshua Torres, r., F, St. Patrick
Referee: Jay Haas
Scoring summary
First half
St. Patrick: Moreno-Lopez (PK) 11'
Fremd: Kating (Beaupre) 17'
Second half
St. Patrick: Buelvas (Przytula) 54'
St. Patrick: Buelvas (Torres) 61
St. Patrick: Estrada (U/A) 65'
Fremd: Conway (U/A) 74'
Fremd: Conway (PK) 77'
St. Patrick: Torres (Moreno-Lopez) 79'