Grayslake Central suffers
painful losses at Round Lake
Rams suffer 1st defeat, lose Marynevych, Chavez to injury
By Mike Garofola
ROUND LAKE -- All was right in the world of soccer at Grayslake Central.
The Rams, ranked sixth in the latest Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, stood at 9-0-1 overall with several impressive victories over Class 3A clubs and a 1-1 draw with no. 7 New Trier.
Keith Andersson's men were scoring and incredibly stingy along the back. They headed into the Northern Lake County Conference contest at rival Round Lake knowing that a victory would draw them closer to lifting a second-consecutive league trophy.
But disaster struck on so many levels for the Rams on this chilly night. Grayslake Central ran into an inspired Round Lake, who shared the 2021 league title and had shown a glimpse or two of excellence despite a modest 4-3-2 overall record this fall.
Coach Hugo Tellez's side shocked Grayslake Central, beating the 2021 Class AA fourth place state trophy winners 4-1 with a comprehensive 80-minute effort much to the delight of a big crowd who saw their team’s league repeat title chances increase two-fold.
Round Lake’s coach was optimistic coming in to the match.
"We had a late practice after powderpuff football was finished in our stadium. With the way the guys were training, and with so much focus, I had a very good feeling about our game with Grayslake Central," said the longtime Panthers manager.
"Keith has a great team, with so many talented players. It's too bad they had two of their guys injured tonight. It's something I never like to see. Hopefully they'll get healthy real soon for the last half of the season," added the classy manager.
The Rams suffered two major injuries in the game. Leading scorer and returning Chicagoland Soccer all-stater Danik Marynevych (17 goals) was carted off just after the half hour. Later outstanding outside back Jose Chavez required the same attention in the 51st minute.
"It was one of those nights for us," began Andersson.
"Jose is officially out with a fractured ankle. With Danik, his x-ray came back negative, but he's also awaiting results from his MRI, which won't come until Monday."
Marynevych, whom Anderssson says is just heartbroken at this point, could be back sooner than later if the injury is not deemed an ACL and instead a patella tendon, which could require a shorter stay on the injury list.
"Even with the injuries to Danik and Jose, we just did not come to play tonight. Round Lake did, and that's why we lost tonight," said senior captain Alan Alonso with resolve.
"When our guys went down, so did our spirits for a little while, but that's not an excuse for the way we played or for the result," added Eric Garcia-Perez, the Rams central defender.
Grayslake Central nearly collected an early opener, when off the counter Marynevych set Cameron Paul free. With an extra step or two on his challenger, Paul drove his effort over the bar.
Later, if not for a remarkable reaction save from Round Lake keeper Jerry Perez, Marynovych could have gone into the back of the net as well.
"Both Danik, and Cameron are big threats up-top for us,” said Andersson. “I think if Cam finds a way to put his attempt in, (it) could have taken the wind out of the sails for Round Lake. But that why we coach, and the boys play this sport, things can change at anytime."
While the visitors enjoyed more of the possession and a little bit higher percentage of completed passes through the likes of Nick Molochnikov, Lucas Veenstra and Alonso, the home side was more dangerous. The quintet of Ivan Barrientos, Giovanni Bonilla, Oscar Martinez, Eric Nieto and Jorgie Morales, who was named the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match, showed they could attack with speed and quick one-two passing.
"We already had three L’s (losses) coming into this game, so we all figured we had nothing to lose at this point," offered Panthers senior and tri-captain Edgar Arteaga. "So we came out and just played and gave it our all. After that first goal we scored, I really think all of us knew we could win this game."
"(They) are so talented all over the place, they play quick," said Panthers assistant Doogie Clark, who is well known and respected around prep pitches. He spent 20 years as an assistant at Warren, first under Jim McNamara and then for current Blue Devils manager Jason Ahonen. “They build from the back and have a guy like Danik up-top, who is so dangerous each and every time he touches the ball. We made a few adjustments in preparation of this game.”
"Doogie has been a tremendous help to our program," Tellez said. “He's reshaped the way we defend and has helped change things here at Round Lake. We love having him here as a volunteer coach.”
The first ominous sign for Grayslake Central came when Morales went into high gear deep into the Rams end and forced Eric Garcia-Perez into a strong challenge and tackle that ended the hope of a 1-v-1 with keeper Uriel Garcia-Perez.
Round Lake kept up the sequence. Moments later, Bonilla had his effort blocked on the way in before a lovely ball out of the back from Panthers keeper Perez found Morales, who on the turn went wide.
"They had a lot more energy than we did, and we just did not match it very well," said Alonso, who was a member of the Libertyville 74's national championship under-17 team.
"Round Lake did their homework on us for sure," began Andersson.
"We didn't play our game, were dribbling too much, just not working the ball enough or closing hard on our tackles.
"We just came out flat, and stayed the way."
The big crowd went silent when Marynovych went down in obvious pain after his attempt to collect and turn quickly on goal after receiving a ball from the midline by Alonso.
It appeared the boot of Marynovych did not pivot when he made his move toward goal.
"It was such an unfortunate chain of events to a great player and terrific young man. Hopefully he'll be back real soon for them," said a concerned Clark.
After a long delay, Oscar Martinez used a bit of trickery to beat two Rams' before earning himself enough space to squeeze his effort just inside the near post at 32 minutes.
With the intermission just moments away, Morales teed up his long-range attempt that ricocheted off the underside of the bar and into the back of the Rams net for a two-goal halftime advantage.
"That wasn't Grayslake Central soccer you saw in the first half. Came out and played much better after the break, but it didn't stay that way," Alonso said.
"100% of the film we watched on (them) didn't add up to the team we played tonight," said Andersson. “They came out and played like this was a playoff game. They did an amazing job.”
Andersson and his staff looked to sophomore Anderson Chevier and freshman Ivan Sereno to provide some much needed pace, creativity and energy. The duo delivered off the bench.
"Chevier will have some big shoes to fill with Jose out, but he stepped in to show that he is highly capable of doing so,” said Andersson. “Ivan is making a nice name for himself with his skill and composure on the ball."
A deep throw for the Rams ended with Alonso going just wide in the 43rd minute. Moments later, senior Raymond Sereno was technically superb when chesting down a lovely ball from Chevier and sending a cracker that was saved.
Morales would dash the hopes of the visitors when he delivered a long-range, unstoppable free kick for a 3-0 lead.
Sixty seconds later, Jose Chavez went in to a 50-50 challenge with Morales at the near touchline and suffered his injury.
The Morales tackle in the 56th minute started plenty of chippy play, which required referee Rick Naatz to begin to issue a handful of yellow cards as he looked to restore order.
Grayslake Central nearly pulled one back when Raymond Sereno went just wide in the 70th minute. Round Lake answered with a Raul Martinez finish after help from Morales and Barrientos to increase the Panthers advantage to 4-0.
Grayslake Central played hard until the final whistle. The Rams ended their hosts’ bid for a third clean-sheet of the season when Motochnikov bagged his fifth on the year with the help of Fein three minutes from time.
"The skill and service from Mitchell helped create some dangerous opportunities for us tonight," said Andersson.
Round Lake would not be denied.
"We were organized, shifted and rotated really well tonight," said Clark. “As good as our goal-scoring ability was, I really feel it was our defensive effort that was the difference tonight.”
There will be some inevitable soul-searching from Grayslake Central after this result.
"I don't ever want to have this feeling about a game that I have right now," said Alonso. “And I will do all that I can in order to make sure this never happens again.”
"We will not let off the gas," said Andersson. “We need to work with the same intensity that make us the team that we are. I know the guys will learn from our mistakes and correct them before our next conference game at home on Tuesday against Lakes.
"We are fortunate to have such an amazing bunch of players, as well as parents, and a community that supports us. We'll go forward from tonight in advance of our next game."
Starting lineups
Grayslake Central (3-4-3)
G- Uriel Garcia-Perez
D- Jose Perez
D- Eric Garcia-Perez
D- Damion Sereno
MF- Mitchell Fein
MF- Alan Alonso
MF- Lucas Veenstra
MF- Nick Molochnikov
F- Raymond Sereno
F- Danik Marynevych
F- Cameron Paul
Round Lake (4-2-3-1)
G- Jerry Perez
D- Gianni Moreno
D- Sebastian Herrera
D- Luis Salinas
D- Jesus Garcia
MF- Oscar Martinez
MF- Ivan Barrientos
MF- Eric Nieto
MF- Jorgie Morales
MF- Edgar Arteaga
F- Giovanni Bonilla
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match:
Jorgie Morales, so., MF, Round Lake
Officials: Rick Naatz (referee); Mark Clark (assistant); John Diehl (assistant)
Scoring summary
First half
Round Lake: O. Martinez (U/A) 32'
Round Lake: Morales (O. Martinez) 40'
Second Half
Round Lake: Morales (FK) 54'
Round Lake: R. Martinez (Morales, Barrientos) 73'
Grayslake Central: Molochnikov (Fein) 77'
Statistics
Shots on goal
Grayslake Central: 5
Round Lake: 6
Shots off
Grayslake Central: 7
Round Lake: 7
Corner kicks
Grayslake Central: 2
Round Lake: 3
Offsides
Grayslake Central: 2
Round Lake: 3
Fouls
Grayslake Central: 11
Round Lake: 12
Yellow cards
Grayslake Central: 1
Round Lake: 5
painful losses at Round Lake
Rams suffer 1st defeat, lose Marynevych, Chavez to injury
By Mike Garofola
ROUND LAKE -- All was right in the world of soccer at Grayslake Central.
The Rams, ranked sixth in the latest Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, stood at 9-0-1 overall with several impressive victories over Class 3A clubs and a 1-1 draw with no. 7 New Trier.
Keith Andersson's men were scoring and incredibly stingy along the back. They headed into the Northern Lake County Conference contest at rival Round Lake knowing that a victory would draw them closer to lifting a second-consecutive league trophy.
But disaster struck on so many levels for the Rams on this chilly night. Grayslake Central ran into an inspired Round Lake, who shared the 2021 league title and had shown a glimpse or two of excellence despite a modest 4-3-2 overall record this fall.
Coach Hugo Tellez's side shocked Grayslake Central, beating the 2021 Class AA fourth place state trophy winners 4-1 with a comprehensive 80-minute effort much to the delight of a big crowd who saw their team’s league repeat title chances increase two-fold.
Round Lake’s coach was optimistic coming in to the match.
"We had a late practice after powderpuff football was finished in our stadium. With the way the guys were training, and with so much focus, I had a very good feeling about our game with Grayslake Central," said the longtime Panthers manager.
"Keith has a great team, with so many talented players. It's too bad they had two of their guys injured tonight. It's something I never like to see. Hopefully they'll get healthy real soon for the last half of the season," added the classy manager.
The Rams suffered two major injuries in the game. Leading scorer and returning Chicagoland Soccer all-stater Danik Marynevych (17 goals) was carted off just after the half hour. Later outstanding outside back Jose Chavez required the same attention in the 51st minute.
"It was one of those nights for us," began Andersson.
"Jose is officially out with a fractured ankle. With Danik, his x-ray came back negative, but he's also awaiting results from his MRI, which won't come until Monday."
Marynevych, whom Anderssson says is just heartbroken at this point, could be back sooner than later if the injury is not deemed an ACL and instead a patella tendon, which could require a shorter stay on the injury list.
"Even with the injuries to Danik and Jose, we just did not come to play tonight. Round Lake did, and that's why we lost tonight," said senior captain Alan Alonso with resolve.
"When our guys went down, so did our spirits for a little while, but that's not an excuse for the way we played or for the result," added Eric Garcia-Perez, the Rams central defender.
Grayslake Central nearly collected an early opener, when off the counter Marynevych set Cameron Paul free. With an extra step or two on his challenger, Paul drove his effort over the bar.
Later, if not for a remarkable reaction save from Round Lake keeper Jerry Perez, Marynovych could have gone into the back of the net as well.
"Both Danik, and Cameron are big threats up-top for us,” said Andersson. “I think if Cam finds a way to put his attempt in, (it) could have taken the wind out of the sails for Round Lake. But that why we coach, and the boys play this sport, things can change at anytime."
While the visitors enjoyed more of the possession and a little bit higher percentage of completed passes through the likes of Nick Molochnikov, Lucas Veenstra and Alonso, the home side was more dangerous. The quintet of Ivan Barrientos, Giovanni Bonilla, Oscar Martinez, Eric Nieto and Jorgie Morales, who was named the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match, showed they could attack with speed and quick one-two passing.
"We already had three L’s (losses) coming into this game, so we all figured we had nothing to lose at this point," offered Panthers senior and tri-captain Edgar Arteaga. "So we came out and just played and gave it our all. After that first goal we scored, I really think all of us knew we could win this game."
"(They) are so talented all over the place, they play quick," said Panthers assistant Doogie Clark, who is well known and respected around prep pitches. He spent 20 years as an assistant at Warren, first under Jim McNamara and then for current Blue Devils manager Jason Ahonen. “They build from the back and have a guy like Danik up-top, who is so dangerous each and every time he touches the ball. We made a few adjustments in preparation of this game.”
"Doogie has been a tremendous help to our program," Tellez said. “He's reshaped the way we defend and has helped change things here at Round Lake. We love having him here as a volunteer coach.”
The first ominous sign for Grayslake Central came when Morales went into high gear deep into the Rams end and forced Eric Garcia-Perez into a strong challenge and tackle that ended the hope of a 1-v-1 with keeper Uriel Garcia-Perez.
Round Lake kept up the sequence. Moments later, Bonilla had his effort blocked on the way in before a lovely ball out of the back from Panthers keeper Perez found Morales, who on the turn went wide.
"They had a lot more energy than we did, and we just did not match it very well," said Alonso, who was a member of the Libertyville 74's national championship under-17 team.
"Round Lake did their homework on us for sure," began Andersson.
"We didn't play our game, were dribbling too much, just not working the ball enough or closing hard on our tackles.
"We just came out flat, and stayed the way."
The big crowd went silent when Marynovych went down in obvious pain after his attempt to collect and turn quickly on goal after receiving a ball from the midline by Alonso.
It appeared the boot of Marynovych did not pivot when he made his move toward goal.
"It was such an unfortunate chain of events to a great player and terrific young man. Hopefully he'll be back real soon for them," said a concerned Clark.
After a long delay, Oscar Martinez used a bit of trickery to beat two Rams' before earning himself enough space to squeeze his effort just inside the near post at 32 minutes.
With the intermission just moments away, Morales teed up his long-range attempt that ricocheted off the underside of the bar and into the back of the Rams net for a two-goal halftime advantage.
"That wasn't Grayslake Central soccer you saw in the first half. Came out and played much better after the break, but it didn't stay that way," Alonso said.
"100% of the film we watched on (them) didn't add up to the team we played tonight," said Andersson. “They came out and played like this was a playoff game. They did an amazing job.”
Andersson and his staff looked to sophomore Anderson Chevier and freshman Ivan Sereno to provide some much needed pace, creativity and energy. The duo delivered off the bench.
"Chevier will have some big shoes to fill with Jose out, but he stepped in to show that he is highly capable of doing so,” said Andersson. “Ivan is making a nice name for himself with his skill and composure on the ball."
A deep throw for the Rams ended with Alonso going just wide in the 43rd minute. Moments later, senior Raymond Sereno was technically superb when chesting down a lovely ball from Chevier and sending a cracker that was saved.
Morales would dash the hopes of the visitors when he delivered a long-range, unstoppable free kick for a 3-0 lead.
Sixty seconds later, Jose Chavez went in to a 50-50 challenge with Morales at the near touchline and suffered his injury.
The Morales tackle in the 56th minute started plenty of chippy play, which required referee Rick Naatz to begin to issue a handful of yellow cards as he looked to restore order.
Grayslake Central nearly pulled one back when Raymond Sereno went just wide in the 70th minute. Round Lake answered with a Raul Martinez finish after help from Morales and Barrientos to increase the Panthers advantage to 4-0.
Grayslake Central played hard until the final whistle. The Rams ended their hosts’ bid for a third clean-sheet of the season when Motochnikov bagged his fifth on the year with the help of Fein three minutes from time.
"The skill and service from Mitchell helped create some dangerous opportunities for us tonight," said Andersson.
Round Lake would not be denied.
"We were organized, shifted and rotated really well tonight," said Clark. “As good as our goal-scoring ability was, I really feel it was our defensive effort that was the difference tonight.”
There will be some inevitable soul-searching from Grayslake Central after this result.
"I don't ever want to have this feeling about a game that I have right now," said Alonso. “And I will do all that I can in order to make sure this never happens again.”
"We will not let off the gas," said Andersson. “We need to work with the same intensity that make us the team that we are. I know the guys will learn from our mistakes and correct them before our next conference game at home on Tuesday against Lakes.
"We are fortunate to have such an amazing bunch of players, as well as parents, and a community that supports us. We'll go forward from tonight in advance of our next game."
Starting lineups
Grayslake Central (3-4-3)
G- Uriel Garcia-Perez
D- Jose Perez
D- Eric Garcia-Perez
D- Damion Sereno
MF- Mitchell Fein
MF- Alan Alonso
MF- Lucas Veenstra
MF- Nick Molochnikov
F- Raymond Sereno
F- Danik Marynevych
F- Cameron Paul
Round Lake (4-2-3-1)
G- Jerry Perez
D- Gianni Moreno
D- Sebastian Herrera
D- Luis Salinas
D- Jesus Garcia
MF- Oscar Martinez
MF- Ivan Barrientos
MF- Eric Nieto
MF- Jorgie Morales
MF- Edgar Arteaga
F- Giovanni Bonilla
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match:
Jorgie Morales, so., MF, Round Lake
Officials: Rick Naatz (referee); Mark Clark (assistant); John Diehl (assistant)
Scoring summary
First half
Round Lake: O. Martinez (U/A) 32'
Round Lake: Morales (O. Martinez) 40'
Second Half
Round Lake: Morales (FK) 54'
Round Lake: R. Martinez (Morales, Barrientos) 73'
Grayslake Central: Molochnikov (Fein) 77'
Statistics
Shots on goal
Grayslake Central: 5
Round Lake: 6
Shots off
Grayslake Central: 7
Round Lake: 7
Corner kicks
Grayslake Central: 2
Round Lake: 3
Offsides
Grayslake Central: 2
Round Lake: 3
Fouls
Grayslake Central: 11
Round Lake: 12
Yellow cards
Grayslake Central: 1
Round Lake: 5