Grayslake Central powers
into sectionals with Prairie Ridge win
Rams roll to 5-0 victory
By Mike Garofola
MUNDELEIN -- Mitchell Fein scored twice to help top-seed Grayslake Central earn a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Prairie Ridge on Friday night at Baker Stadium.
The Rams (15-1-3) second-straight regional title, and eighth in program history, sent the club back home for sectionals. The winner will host fourth-seeded Wauconda (12-3-3) at 5 p.m. Oct. 26. The teams played to a 0-0 draw Oct. 6 in Northern Lake County Conference play.
"We came out really slow the other night in our win over Cary-Grove, so that was my main concern coming into tonight," began Rams manager Keith Andersson, whose club advanced 4-2 in a shootout after 100 minutes of scoreless soccer on Tuesday on regional host Carmel’s field.
"I knew if we just came out and played our game, we would be just fine. That's exactly what we did, getting off to a good start and never really taking our foot off the pedal until the final whistle."
"(Grayslake) showed why they were the top seed,” said manager Josef Schroeder of Prairie Ridge (10-10-0). “They possess the ball really well, move it around and play fast.
"There's no doubt that crazy start really set us back. That second goal put us on our heels, and despite our fight we never were able to get back on track after that."
Fans on this gorgeous mid-October evening witnessed an unusual start to this contest when Prairie Ridge’s Mason Fowler crashed violently into Mitchell Fein. The attempted tackler fell to the ground in pain. The collision left blood on the turf, and Fein wondering what hit him.
Fowler was helped off and attended to by the athletic trainer, who needed a great deal of time to stop the bleeding from his mouth and nose.
After a long discussion between the referee and his assistant on that side, it was deemed Fein was brought down just inside the box. That sent Alan Alonso to the spot and Schroeder and his bench asking for an explanation.
During the tumult, Prairie Ridge keeper Brogan Amherdt was booked for dissent. That forced teammate Sean Bainbridge to step-in between the sticks for the PK.
"I've been in this sport a long time and have not ever seen the start to a game like this one tonight," said Schroeder, who was echoed by Andersson, Alonso, and Fein, who have plenty of club experience under their collective belts to back-up their statements.
"The referee said their guy was inside the box when he was fouled,” said Schroeder. “(We're) obviously a long way away from that play, but my guys said he was just outside the box.
"It was a bit of bad luck, but it also happened very early on. So, there was plenty of time to get our feet back under us."
Alonso hammered home his 17th goal of the season in the sixth minute to give the Rams the only goal they needed this night.
"Alan has been on fire since we lost Danik (Marynevych) to his ACL surgery," said Andersson. “He's really picked up the scoring slack for us. Plus as always, he's been great running the show in the midfield for us and has really shown his tremendous ability.”
"When Danik (a 2021 Chicagoland Soccer all-stater as a junior) went down for the season, all of us had to step up our play," said Alonso. “For me, as one of our captains, I felt it was important to lead by example. After the initial shock of losing both Danik and Jose Chavez (a starting senior defender also out for the season) in that Round Lake game, I really feel like our team is back to where we should be."
"We all had to step up to make a difference with Danik and Jose out for the season," added Fein. “And we all have, even the guys who do not play as much have really come in and given everything they have."
The Alonso opener inspired the Rams attack to go in search of an addition to their advantage. The intent was quite clear with several corners and deep throws as they targeted front-runners Raymond Sereno, Prince Tarwick and Ivan Sereno. Grayslake Central’s midfield;s solid work, distribution and use of width were responsible for this victory.
"I think our quick passes, and combinations helped stretch them in their own end and expose some areas we were able to attack all night long," offered Alonso.
"The other night, we completed 297 passes against Cary-Grove, but we were unable to put away any of the chances we created," began Andersson. “We just were not sharp enough in the final third.
"That's why we spent a lot of time on our shooting this week, and it looks like it paid off for us tonight."
Although the Rams enjoyed most of the play and possession, it was Prairie Ridge’s ability to win a high percentage of first and second balls, as well as the aerial war, that went a long way toward keeping this contest just a one-goal game.
Senior Cade Collins, along the back, and his junior backline teammate Chase Vrba, were especially effective in their 50/50 challenges, as was senior, Brady Rogers, who wore the captain’s armbands with Collins.
"Cade and Brady played with so much heart and energy out there tonight. They have been great team leaders this year along with the few other seniors we have. They are the guys who we've ridden during our late stretch when we won six of seven games, including our 6-3 win over Carmel to advance into this final," said Schroeder.
The Wolves could have equalized on the quarter hour if not for a brilliant, athletic save from Grayslake Central keeper Uriel Garcia-Perez, who in full extension to his right seemed to float horizontally in the air to turn a guided missile from Henry Knoll around his post.
"That was a highlight reel save from Uriel if there ever was one," beamed Andersson.
Two minutes later Fein doubled the Rams advantage with an unstoppable cracker from 25 yards that bent the back of the net as it crashed into the upper corner.
"I had the chance to shoot, so I figured why not," said a humble Fein with a slight smile.
The Fein goal was made possible by the gritty work of Alonso, who kept the Wolves from clearing their area.
Nick Molochnikov started another opportunity from the left side with some clean work on the ball and a lovely pass forward to connect with Anderson Chevier, who in turn sent Raymond Sereno through up the side.
Sereno's cross to the back post to his younger brother Ivan saw the freshman head just over the bar.
Prairie Ridge answered with three-consecutive free kicks sent with great accuracy near the spot from Collins caused a few anxious moments for the Grayslake Central faithful. The last was parried out of danger by Fein.
"We played a very good 35 minutes in the first half, I just wish our play didn't fall off a little leading into the break,” said Andersson. “We came back strong in the second half, and quickly put one in to relieve some pressure on the guys."
Prairie Ridge came out in a 3-5-2 after the intermission, hoping to add a little more juice to its attack. It moved up a player from the back, while leaning on Rogers, Vrba and Seth Matson to keep things airtight in front of keeper Amherdt.
However, Veenstra sent a meaningful ball into the box that bounded off a Wolves player and onto the foot of an opportunistic Ivan Sereno. The frosh steered his effort in from close range to increase the Rams advantage to three just five minutes into the second half.
"That third goal was big for them, we just never seemed to recover after that," said an emotional Collins, who took the reality of final high school soccer game extremely hard.
"You always think the game you’re going into could be your last game. When it finally happens, it's difficult to take when it's really over."
The classy Wolves captain will be a four-year veteran of soccer and basketball when he graduates.
Fein converted a spot-kick in the 68th minute just after a superb point-blank save from Amherdt against Ivan Sereno, who ran onto a magnificent cross-field serve by Fein.
Fein and Alonso shared the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honor.
The Rams fourth goal signaled the start of some chippy play that required a trio of yellow cards handed out with the hope of restoring order.
Both sides began to bring reserves on for the last 10 minutes of game-time. One, junior Miles O'Sullivan, added one more to the score line when he finished what Alonso started in the 72nd minute.
Prairie Ridge will take valuable experience from the game.
"There's a lot to be proud of with this team despite the loss tonight to a better team,” said Schroeder of his club, which includes 11 sophomores on the roster. “With such a young roster back, we hope to be back in this game next season."
Grayslake Central remains on track for its goal to repeat its Final Four appearance last season.
"This was a good all-around effort by our team tonight,” said Fein. “Now we have the game we want to have back with Wauconda at our place next week."
"We received a lot of good work from a number of players tonight, especially Lucas Veenstra,” said Andersson of his second Chicagoland Soccer all-stater from 2021. “He continues to play at such a high level and is the consummate team player. He plays for his team and not himself.
"His teammates come first, and it shows with the way he carries himself with his unselfish play."
Starting lineups
Prairie Ridge (4-4-3)
G- Brogan Amherdt
D- Brady Rogers
D- Chase Vrba
D- Cade Collins
D- Kaj Justesen
MF- Sam Kirk
MF- Chase Santucci
MF- Carter Fredrikson
F- Mason Fowler
F- Gabe Porter
F- Henry Knoll
Grayslake Central (3-4-3)
G- Uriel Garcia-Perez
D- Anderson Chevier
D- Eric Garcia-Perez
D- Damian Sereno
MF- Lucas Veenstra
MF- Nick Molochnikov
MF- Alan Alonso
MF- Mitchell Fein
F- Raymond Sereno
F- Prince Trawick
F- Ivan Sereno
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match:
Alan Alonso, sr., MF, Grayslake Central;
Mitchell Fein, jr., MF, Grayslake Central
Scoring summary
First Half
Grayslake Central: Alonso (PK) 6'
Grayslake Central: Fine (U/A) 17'
Second Half
Grayslake Central: Ivan Sereno (Veenstra) 45'
Grayslake Central: Fine (PK) 68'
Grayslake Central: O'Sullivan (Alonso) 72'
Statistics
Shots on goal
Prairie Ridge: 3
Grayslake Central: 10
Shots off
Prairie Ridge: 6
Grayslake Central: 8
Corner kickss
Prairie Ridge: 0
Grayslake Central: 8
Offsides
Prairie Ridge: 2
Grayslake Central: 1
Fouls
Prairie Ridge: 11
Grayslake Central: 15
Blocks
Prairie Ridge: 6
Grayslake Central: 0
Yellow Cards
Prairie Ridge: 3
Grayslake Central: 3
into sectionals with Prairie Ridge win
Rams roll to 5-0 victory
By Mike Garofola
MUNDELEIN -- Mitchell Fein scored twice to help top-seed Grayslake Central earn a comprehensive 5-0 victory over Prairie Ridge on Friday night at Baker Stadium.
The Rams (15-1-3) second-straight regional title, and eighth in program history, sent the club back home for sectionals. The winner will host fourth-seeded Wauconda (12-3-3) at 5 p.m. Oct. 26. The teams played to a 0-0 draw Oct. 6 in Northern Lake County Conference play.
"We came out really slow the other night in our win over Cary-Grove, so that was my main concern coming into tonight," began Rams manager Keith Andersson, whose club advanced 4-2 in a shootout after 100 minutes of scoreless soccer on Tuesday on regional host Carmel’s field.
"I knew if we just came out and played our game, we would be just fine. That's exactly what we did, getting off to a good start and never really taking our foot off the pedal until the final whistle."
"(Grayslake) showed why they were the top seed,” said manager Josef Schroeder of Prairie Ridge (10-10-0). “They possess the ball really well, move it around and play fast.
"There's no doubt that crazy start really set us back. That second goal put us on our heels, and despite our fight we never were able to get back on track after that."
Fans on this gorgeous mid-October evening witnessed an unusual start to this contest when Prairie Ridge’s Mason Fowler crashed violently into Mitchell Fein. The attempted tackler fell to the ground in pain. The collision left blood on the turf, and Fein wondering what hit him.
Fowler was helped off and attended to by the athletic trainer, who needed a great deal of time to stop the bleeding from his mouth and nose.
After a long discussion between the referee and his assistant on that side, it was deemed Fein was brought down just inside the box. That sent Alan Alonso to the spot and Schroeder and his bench asking for an explanation.
During the tumult, Prairie Ridge keeper Brogan Amherdt was booked for dissent. That forced teammate Sean Bainbridge to step-in between the sticks for the PK.
"I've been in this sport a long time and have not ever seen the start to a game like this one tonight," said Schroeder, who was echoed by Andersson, Alonso, and Fein, who have plenty of club experience under their collective belts to back-up their statements.
"The referee said their guy was inside the box when he was fouled,” said Schroeder. “(We're) obviously a long way away from that play, but my guys said he was just outside the box.
"It was a bit of bad luck, but it also happened very early on. So, there was plenty of time to get our feet back under us."
Alonso hammered home his 17th goal of the season in the sixth minute to give the Rams the only goal they needed this night.
"Alan has been on fire since we lost Danik (Marynevych) to his ACL surgery," said Andersson. “He's really picked up the scoring slack for us. Plus as always, he's been great running the show in the midfield for us and has really shown his tremendous ability.”
"When Danik (a 2021 Chicagoland Soccer all-stater as a junior) went down for the season, all of us had to step up our play," said Alonso. “For me, as one of our captains, I felt it was important to lead by example. After the initial shock of losing both Danik and Jose Chavez (a starting senior defender also out for the season) in that Round Lake game, I really feel like our team is back to where we should be."
"We all had to step up to make a difference with Danik and Jose out for the season," added Fein. “And we all have, even the guys who do not play as much have really come in and given everything they have."
The Alonso opener inspired the Rams attack to go in search of an addition to their advantage. The intent was quite clear with several corners and deep throws as they targeted front-runners Raymond Sereno, Prince Tarwick and Ivan Sereno. Grayslake Central’s midfield;s solid work, distribution and use of width were responsible for this victory.
"I think our quick passes, and combinations helped stretch them in their own end and expose some areas we were able to attack all night long," offered Alonso.
"The other night, we completed 297 passes against Cary-Grove, but we were unable to put away any of the chances we created," began Andersson. “We just were not sharp enough in the final third.
"That's why we spent a lot of time on our shooting this week, and it looks like it paid off for us tonight."
Although the Rams enjoyed most of the play and possession, it was Prairie Ridge’s ability to win a high percentage of first and second balls, as well as the aerial war, that went a long way toward keeping this contest just a one-goal game.
Senior Cade Collins, along the back, and his junior backline teammate Chase Vrba, were especially effective in their 50/50 challenges, as was senior, Brady Rogers, who wore the captain’s armbands with Collins.
"Cade and Brady played with so much heart and energy out there tonight. They have been great team leaders this year along with the few other seniors we have. They are the guys who we've ridden during our late stretch when we won six of seven games, including our 6-3 win over Carmel to advance into this final," said Schroeder.
The Wolves could have equalized on the quarter hour if not for a brilliant, athletic save from Grayslake Central keeper Uriel Garcia-Perez, who in full extension to his right seemed to float horizontally in the air to turn a guided missile from Henry Knoll around his post.
"That was a highlight reel save from Uriel if there ever was one," beamed Andersson.
Two minutes later Fein doubled the Rams advantage with an unstoppable cracker from 25 yards that bent the back of the net as it crashed into the upper corner.
"I had the chance to shoot, so I figured why not," said a humble Fein with a slight smile.
The Fein goal was made possible by the gritty work of Alonso, who kept the Wolves from clearing their area.
Nick Molochnikov started another opportunity from the left side with some clean work on the ball and a lovely pass forward to connect with Anderson Chevier, who in turn sent Raymond Sereno through up the side.
Sereno's cross to the back post to his younger brother Ivan saw the freshman head just over the bar.
Prairie Ridge answered with three-consecutive free kicks sent with great accuracy near the spot from Collins caused a few anxious moments for the Grayslake Central faithful. The last was parried out of danger by Fein.
"We played a very good 35 minutes in the first half, I just wish our play didn't fall off a little leading into the break,” said Andersson. “We came back strong in the second half, and quickly put one in to relieve some pressure on the guys."
Prairie Ridge came out in a 3-5-2 after the intermission, hoping to add a little more juice to its attack. It moved up a player from the back, while leaning on Rogers, Vrba and Seth Matson to keep things airtight in front of keeper Amherdt.
However, Veenstra sent a meaningful ball into the box that bounded off a Wolves player and onto the foot of an opportunistic Ivan Sereno. The frosh steered his effort in from close range to increase the Rams advantage to three just five minutes into the second half.
"That third goal was big for them, we just never seemed to recover after that," said an emotional Collins, who took the reality of final high school soccer game extremely hard.
"You always think the game you’re going into could be your last game. When it finally happens, it's difficult to take when it's really over."
The classy Wolves captain will be a four-year veteran of soccer and basketball when he graduates.
Fein converted a spot-kick in the 68th minute just after a superb point-blank save from Amherdt against Ivan Sereno, who ran onto a magnificent cross-field serve by Fein.
Fein and Alonso shared the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honor.
The Rams fourth goal signaled the start of some chippy play that required a trio of yellow cards handed out with the hope of restoring order.
Both sides began to bring reserves on for the last 10 minutes of game-time. One, junior Miles O'Sullivan, added one more to the score line when he finished what Alonso started in the 72nd minute.
Prairie Ridge will take valuable experience from the game.
"There's a lot to be proud of with this team despite the loss tonight to a better team,” said Schroeder of his club, which includes 11 sophomores on the roster. “With such a young roster back, we hope to be back in this game next season."
Grayslake Central remains on track for its goal to repeat its Final Four appearance last season.
"This was a good all-around effort by our team tonight,” said Fein. “Now we have the game we want to have back with Wauconda at our place next week."
"We received a lot of good work from a number of players tonight, especially Lucas Veenstra,” said Andersson of his second Chicagoland Soccer all-stater from 2021. “He continues to play at such a high level and is the consummate team player. He plays for his team and not himself.
"His teammates come first, and it shows with the way he carries himself with his unselfish play."
Starting lineups
Prairie Ridge (4-4-3)
G- Brogan Amherdt
D- Brady Rogers
D- Chase Vrba
D- Cade Collins
D- Kaj Justesen
MF- Sam Kirk
MF- Chase Santucci
MF- Carter Fredrikson
F- Mason Fowler
F- Gabe Porter
F- Henry Knoll
Grayslake Central (3-4-3)
G- Uriel Garcia-Perez
D- Anderson Chevier
D- Eric Garcia-Perez
D- Damian Sereno
MF- Lucas Veenstra
MF- Nick Molochnikov
MF- Alan Alonso
MF- Mitchell Fein
F- Raymond Sereno
F- Prince Trawick
F- Ivan Sereno
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match:
Alan Alonso, sr., MF, Grayslake Central;
Mitchell Fein, jr., MF, Grayslake Central
Scoring summary
First Half
Grayslake Central: Alonso (PK) 6'
Grayslake Central: Fine (U/A) 17'
Second Half
Grayslake Central: Ivan Sereno (Veenstra) 45'
Grayslake Central: Fine (PK) 68'
Grayslake Central: O'Sullivan (Alonso) 72'
Statistics
Shots on goal
Prairie Ridge: 3
Grayslake Central: 10
Shots off
Prairie Ridge: 6
Grayslake Central: 8
Corner kickss
Prairie Ridge: 0
Grayslake Central: 8
Offsides
Prairie Ridge: 2
Grayslake Central: 1
Fouls
Prairie Ridge: 11
Grayslake Central: 15
Blocks
Prairie Ridge: 6
Grayslake Central: 0
Yellow Cards
Prairie Ridge: 3
Grayslake Central: 3