Morton steps out against Hinsdale South
Ferrer, Aguirre and Leanos help deliver Mustangs' 10th win
By Patrick Z. McGavin
BERWYN -- Morton players like Victoria Ferrer no longer operate in the deep shadows of the more celebrated boys program.
The Mustangs’ boys won the Class 3A state championship in 2011, and have been a constant presence at the state finals the last decade.
Until the pandemic wiped out the full 2020 season, Morton’s male side had a run of eight-consecutive years of winning at least 20 games.
The most recent iteration of the boys team finished fourth in the state last fall.
Morton previously finished as state runner-up in 2019, the last previous year of the state championship.
By contrast, the girls program has been an emerging one, with signs of coming to life.
Now the girls get a chance to strut their stuff.
“I think the way we play is to put our name out there,” forward Aaliyah Leanos said. “We are a girls’ team, and we have our own mark.
“We have a reputation to keep playing and thriving.”
With midfielder Ferrer posting her first goal of the year, the Mustangs flashed their potential and rapidly improving actions.
The senior scored a goal and assisted on another by Leanos in the Mustangs’ 4-0 victory over Hinsdale South in West Suburban Conference Gold Division play Tuesday night.
Leanos scored two goals, and midfielder Andrea Aguirre matched Ferrer with a goal and an assist for the Mustangs (10-3-0, 2-0-0).
“They work hard,” said Morton coach Jim Bageanis, who directs both programs.
His assistant, Mike Caruso, is the former boys’ head from the 2011 state championship team.
“We see the girls get better through the four years that we have them,” Bageanis said.
“They’re starting to come in with more and more talent. They have been playing at younger ages and coming into school with a little more skill than in the past.”
The Ferrer, Aguirre and Leanos grouping turned the game into a one-sided affair.
The Mustangs turned the game during two specific runs, one produced a burst of two goals 45 seconds apart in the first half.
Leanos put the finishing touches on the victory with bookend goals to end the first half and start the second half.
“We have a good chemistry, on and off the field,” Leanos said. “All of us have played together since we started our soccer careers when we were very little.
“It’s just a fun experience playing together.”
Leanos established the early tone with her strong forays toward the Hornets’ goal.
Her near breakaway created a brilliant moment where she popped the ball over the last defender only to see a Hinsdale South player clear the ball.
The Hornets’ keeper, Leslie Cervantes, had the fitting last name. Just like her literary example, she was pretty much tilting at windmills the entire night.
She was spectacular at times and posted 11 saves for the Hornets (4-6-0, 1-1-0).
Morton’s players rarely let up.
“I feel like we started out kind of nervous, but then we kept playing our own game, and connecting on our passes,” Ferrer said.
“Not only is the team dynamic, wonderful, but we have a great attitude. Even if we are losing a game, we still keep up our positive actions.”
The key sequence came during that 45-second blitz bordering the 16th and 17th minutes.
Aguirre broke the game open by getting to the right edge and making a terrific cross that Ferrer made a great run on.
She blasted home her first goal of the season in the 16th minute for the 1-0 lead.
“Andrea assisted me, and we kept on that pattern throughout the game, even after we scored the first goal,” Ferrer said.
“We started to build up the confidence after the first goal.”
Sure enough, right of the midfield re-start, Ferrer intercepted a ball and played it into the middle with Mayte Gongora.
The synchronized movement was dazzling to behold. Gongora drove a beautiful through-ball that Aguirre caught in stride.
“I saw Mayte with the ball, and I saw the last defender was not in position. I took advantage in running behind her to find those through-balls,” Aguirre said.
After assisting the first goal, it was only natural that she would seek out her own chance.
“How I assisted my goal, I used the same play and had the vision of how I scored my goal,” Aguirre said.
“With that first goal, it was easy to break the line and make the run behind the defenders. After that first goal, it kept us going, and we were confident with those balls from behind.”
By contrast, a feisty, determined Hinsdale South team was suddenly staring down a 2-0 deficit.
Their game plan was to play it close to the vest, and try to create scoring chances off counters and set pieces.
“We have been working really hard to not let down after we get scored upon,” Hornets’ coach Kimmy Wilson said.
“I think after they scored the second one, the girls were saying to themselves: wait a second, this was one of our goals, to make sure we keep fighting even if get we get scored upon.”
The Hornets generated a couple of free kicks in the Mustangs’ half. Midfielders Deirdre Cranley and Makena Camden created some nice combination play as well.
But it was Morton that dictated the time and quality of possession.
Leanos was the other star of the night, especially in her off the ball movement and passing with midfielder Stephanie Salmeron.
“I think we were connecting more passes, and breaking the line, especially with Stephanie, who was on the same side of the field,” Leanos said.
“We were trying our best to get it over their heads.”
In the 37th minute, Ferrer again was the catalyst. She worked the left edge and slotted a ball to the darting Leanos.
She cut against the grain and let fly a terrific shot from about 17 yards that curled inside the far post.
“We wanted to finish the half strong, and get one more,” Leanos said.
That momentum carried over to the start of the second half.
In the 42nd minute, midfielder Esmeralda Bautista worked the left edge and played a terrific over-the-top pass that Leanos used to beat the defender one-on-one.
Her second goal came from about 12 yards.
“I was definitely focused on getting the ball and picking up my head,” Leanos said.
She scored her team-best 11th and 12th goals.
Victoria Ferrer earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match for her game-winning goal and important assist.
The Mustangs firepower and offensive versatility was too much for the Hornets to contend with.
“Our girls give everything that they have every game,” Wilson said.
“I think it comes down to the fact that they had a little bit more endurance. They had a deeper bench. When it comes to long stretches of the game, we have to make sure we can make substitutions to hold out a little bit longer.”
Bageanis oversees a program moving in just one direction -- upward and beyond.
“We have a lot of individual skill this year,” Bageanis said. “We have been getting better at working together, combining with each other and creating chances.”
The players continued to press and create opportunities. Morton was propulsive in that regard.
“That’s what we try to stress with them,” Bageanis said. “We don’t want to be satisfied with just one goal. We want to finish teams off. In the past we have let teams stay in the game.
“This year we have put the pedal to the metal.”
Starting lineups
Hinsdale South
GK: Leslie Cervantes
D: Belle Camacho
D: Tessa Frank
D: Olivia Fulton
D: Tian Schulte
MF: Deirdre Cranley
MF: Makena Camden
MF: Keely Sullivan
F: Grace Raatz
F: Gace Cvengros
F: Audrey Atkinson
Morton
GK: Krystal Rodriguez
D: Mya Hernandez
D: Stephanie Quevedo
D: Leslie Jimenez
D: Jacquelin Lara
MF: Victoria Ferrer
MF: Mayte Gongora
MF: Andrea Aguirre
MF: Stephanie Salmeron
F: Citlali Chavez
F: Aaliyah Leanos
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Victoria Ferrer, sr., MF, Morton
Scoring summary
First half
M: Victoria Ferrer (Andrea Aguirre), 16th minute
M: Aguirre (Mayte Gongora), 17th minute
M: Aaliyah Leanos (Ferrer), 37th minute
Second half
M: Leanos (Esmeralda Bautista), 42nd minute
Ferrer, Aguirre and Leanos help deliver Mustangs' 10th win
By Patrick Z. McGavin
BERWYN -- Morton players like Victoria Ferrer no longer operate in the deep shadows of the more celebrated boys program.
The Mustangs’ boys won the Class 3A state championship in 2011, and have been a constant presence at the state finals the last decade.
Until the pandemic wiped out the full 2020 season, Morton’s male side had a run of eight-consecutive years of winning at least 20 games.
The most recent iteration of the boys team finished fourth in the state last fall.
Morton previously finished as state runner-up in 2019, the last previous year of the state championship.
By contrast, the girls program has been an emerging one, with signs of coming to life.
Now the girls get a chance to strut their stuff.
“I think the way we play is to put our name out there,” forward Aaliyah Leanos said. “We are a girls’ team, and we have our own mark.
“We have a reputation to keep playing and thriving.”
With midfielder Ferrer posting her first goal of the year, the Mustangs flashed their potential and rapidly improving actions.
The senior scored a goal and assisted on another by Leanos in the Mustangs’ 4-0 victory over Hinsdale South in West Suburban Conference Gold Division play Tuesday night.
Leanos scored two goals, and midfielder Andrea Aguirre matched Ferrer with a goal and an assist for the Mustangs (10-3-0, 2-0-0).
“They work hard,” said Morton coach Jim Bageanis, who directs both programs.
His assistant, Mike Caruso, is the former boys’ head from the 2011 state championship team.
“We see the girls get better through the four years that we have them,” Bageanis said.
“They’re starting to come in with more and more talent. They have been playing at younger ages and coming into school with a little more skill than in the past.”
The Ferrer, Aguirre and Leanos grouping turned the game into a one-sided affair.
The Mustangs turned the game during two specific runs, one produced a burst of two goals 45 seconds apart in the first half.
Leanos put the finishing touches on the victory with bookend goals to end the first half and start the second half.
“We have a good chemistry, on and off the field,” Leanos said. “All of us have played together since we started our soccer careers when we were very little.
“It’s just a fun experience playing together.”
Leanos established the early tone with her strong forays toward the Hornets’ goal.
Her near breakaway created a brilliant moment where she popped the ball over the last defender only to see a Hinsdale South player clear the ball.
The Hornets’ keeper, Leslie Cervantes, had the fitting last name. Just like her literary example, she was pretty much tilting at windmills the entire night.
She was spectacular at times and posted 11 saves for the Hornets (4-6-0, 1-1-0).
Morton’s players rarely let up.
“I feel like we started out kind of nervous, but then we kept playing our own game, and connecting on our passes,” Ferrer said.
“Not only is the team dynamic, wonderful, but we have a great attitude. Even if we are losing a game, we still keep up our positive actions.”
The key sequence came during that 45-second blitz bordering the 16th and 17th minutes.
Aguirre broke the game open by getting to the right edge and making a terrific cross that Ferrer made a great run on.
She blasted home her first goal of the season in the 16th minute for the 1-0 lead.
“Andrea assisted me, and we kept on that pattern throughout the game, even after we scored the first goal,” Ferrer said.
“We started to build up the confidence after the first goal.”
Sure enough, right of the midfield re-start, Ferrer intercepted a ball and played it into the middle with Mayte Gongora.
The synchronized movement was dazzling to behold. Gongora drove a beautiful through-ball that Aguirre caught in stride.
“I saw Mayte with the ball, and I saw the last defender was not in position. I took advantage in running behind her to find those through-balls,” Aguirre said.
After assisting the first goal, it was only natural that she would seek out her own chance.
“How I assisted my goal, I used the same play and had the vision of how I scored my goal,” Aguirre said.
“With that first goal, it was easy to break the line and make the run behind the defenders. After that first goal, it kept us going, and we were confident with those balls from behind.”
By contrast, a feisty, determined Hinsdale South team was suddenly staring down a 2-0 deficit.
Their game plan was to play it close to the vest, and try to create scoring chances off counters and set pieces.
“We have been working really hard to not let down after we get scored upon,” Hornets’ coach Kimmy Wilson said.
“I think after they scored the second one, the girls were saying to themselves: wait a second, this was one of our goals, to make sure we keep fighting even if get we get scored upon.”
The Hornets generated a couple of free kicks in the Mustangs’ half. Midfielders Deirdre Cranley and Makena Camden created some nice combination play as well.
But it was Morton that dictated the time and quality of possession.
Leanos was the other star of the night, especially in her off the ball movement and passing with midfielder Stephanie Salmeron.
“I think we were connecting more passes, and breaking the line, especially with Stephanie, who was on the same side of the field,” Leanos said.
“We were trying our best to get it over their heads.”
In the 37th minute, Ferrer again was the catalyst. She worked the left edge and slotted a ball to the darting Leanos.
She cut against the grain and let fly a terrific shot from about 17 yards that curled inside the far post.
“We wanted to finish the half strong, and get one more,” Leanos said.
That momentum carried over to the start of the second half.
In the 42nd minute, midfielder Esmeralda Bautista worked the left edge and played a terrific over-the-top pass that Leanos used to beat the defender one-on-one.
Her second goal came from about 12 yards.
“I was definitely focused on getting the ball and picking up my head,” Leanos said.
She scored her team-best 11th and 12th goals.
Victoria Ferrer earned the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match for her game-winning goal and important assist.
The Mustangs firepower and offensive versatility was too much for the Hornets to contend with.
“Our girls give everything that they have every game,” Wilson said.
“I think it comes down to the fact that they had a little bit more endurance. They had a deeper bench. When it comes to long stretches of the game, we have to make sure we can make substitutions to hold out a little bit longer.”
Bageanis oversees a program moving in just one direction -- upward and beyond.
“We have a lot of individual skill this year,” Bageanis said. “We have been getting better at working together, combining with each other and creating chances.”
The players continued to press and create opportunities. Morton was propulsive in that regard.
“That’s what we try to stress with them,” Bageanis said. “We don’t want to be satisfied with just one goal. We want to finish teams off. In the past we have let teams stay in the game.
“This year we have put the pedal to the metal.”
Starting lineups
Hinsdale South
GK: Leslie Cervantes
D: Belle Camacho
D: Tessa Frank
D: Olivia Fulton
D: Tian Schulte
MF: Deirdre Cranley
MF: Makena Camden
MF: Keely Sullivan
F: Grace Raatz
F: Gace Cvengros
F: Audrey Atkinson
Morton
GK: Krystal Rodriguez
D: Mya Hernandez
D: Stephanie Quevedo
D: Leslie Jimenez
D: Jacquelin Lara
MF: Victoria Ferrer
MF: Mayte Gongora
MF: Andrea Aguirre
MF: Stephanie Salmeron
F: Citlali Chavez
F: Aaliyah Leanos
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Victoria Ferrer, sr., MF, Morton
Scoring summary
First half
M: Victoria Ferrer (Andrea Aguirre), 16th minute
M: Aguirre (Mayte Gongora), 17th minute
M: Aaliyah Leanos (Ferrer), 37th minute
Second half
M: Leanos (Esmeralda Bautista), 42nd minute