Moreno ignites fuse on Morton win
Soph forward powers big 1st half in 5-1 win over Joliet Central
By Dave Owen
BERWYN – Overcoming an offseason torn ACL suffered by three-year standout attacking midfielder Jackie Murillo has produced a bit of a roller coaster ride for Morton’s offense this spring.
But a five-goal first half Tuesday and a three-game winning streak indicate the valleys may be vanishing for the Mustangs (7-5-0).
“That (injury to Murillo) was a big hit to us,” Morton senior defender Nayelly Villalobos said. “She’s such a great help in the middle and as an all-around player. She plays hard every game.”
The impact of her absence was even more directly felt by Morton’s forwards.
“It was sad for me, because last season she really helped me out and really encouraged me to do better,” Morton sophomore forward Adriana Moreno said of Murillo. “She was a really good help last year, and I really wish she felt better.
“We just try our best for her and try to get our W’s for her, and hopefully she can get better and be back on the field with us.”
There is cautious hope that Murillo’s return may happen in a few weeks. And seeing performances like Tuesday’s 5-1 win over Joliet Central (3-7-0) may be the perfect get-well card for the senior.
“Jackie had knee surgery in November, and she’s due back May 1,” Morton coach Jim Bageanis said, “but I don’t know if she’s going to come back. I don’t know if we want to risk it the last two weeks of the season and her not be fully ready to go out there.
“We’ve had to learn how to adapt without her all year, and that meant some growing pains at the beginning getting used to not having her out there. We used to depend on her a lot. She was a leader for us.”
Based on Moreno’s take-charge play from the start of Tuesday’s match, the Mustangs now have another leader.
In the first seven minutes of play, Moreno produced an unassisted goal and then a score off a Melanie Carranza assist as Morton seized a quick 2-0 lead and never looked back.
Moreno has 12 goals this season, but didn’t expect the instant offense Tuesday.
“It was just out of nowhere,” said Moreno, the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match. “I really haven’t been playing my game, but today I really tried stepping it up more.”
Said Bageanis: “She (Moreno) is our goal scorer. She got loose a few times, and if you let her get loose within 20 yards she can make you pay. She was on target today; she had a good game.”
After Moreno’s quick one-two combination had Joliet Central reeling, Morton unleashed its depth to continue an explosive first half.
After Medelin Loza lined a 15-yard shot just over the net in the 19th minute, freshman Esmerelda Bautista added to an impressive start to her Morton varsity career.
With 19:21 left in the first half, Bautista took a Natalie Valadez pass, dribbled to the end line just right of the net and sent a short cross to Xochilt Flores open in front for a 6-yard putaway and a 3-0 Morton lead.
“We brought a freshman up Esmerelda Bautista who has a nice touch and can play multiple positions,” Bageanis said. “She’s a good passer and sees the field. It’s her third game, and she had assists in our last two games too (both 1-0 Morton wins). She’s got her head up all the time; she’s a playmaker.
“She played the ball across nicely (on the third goal). She waited instead of wasting a shot,” Bageanis added. “She cut the ball back, and Xochilt Flores scored.”
Later in the half, Bautista was heard from again.
With 9:08 to go until halftime, midfielder Jessica Santoyo sent a cross from the sideline to Bautista in front. She punched home her first varsity goal to make the lead 4-0.
“We were really connecting the ball,” Villalobos said. “ It was one of the best games we’ve had in terms of having really good passing combinations with each other. We really found each other and played to feet. It was good.”
It got better for Morton with just 49.6 seconds left in the first half -- this time off combination defense, passing and finishing.
Jessica Franco made a steal along the right sideline, dribbled in on the wing and sent a cross in front to Angeli Pelayo for a 10-yard drive into the net that ballooned the lead to 5-0 at halftime.
“We played well in the first half,” Bageanis said. “We were really moving the ball and playing a lot of one-touch -- that’s getting better.
“We got in a few times and took care of some shots. Instead of off-frame, they (the shots) were on-frame, and good things happen when it’s on-frame.”
The breeze that had been at Morton’s backs in the first half aided the first half barrage. But as those winds intensified in the second half, Joliet Central took quick advantage.
Off a 30-yard free kick send just two minutes after intermission, Joliet Central’s Jennifer Sandoval spun free from a crowd during a scramble in front for a header score that trimmed the Morton edge to 5-1.
“They really picked it up and were really in our half of the field,” Villalobos said of Joliet Central’s never-quit performance.
But that early second half goal proved to be the only blemish on the Morton defensive effort. And less than two minutes later, Bautista burst loose on a breakaway that ended up inches from being the Mustang's sixth goal.
Bautista tipped her shot past charging Joliet Central goalkeeper Nicole Aguirre. But as the ball rolled toward the net, Steelwomen defender Alexa Lara hustled back to clear the ball off the goal line.
With 30 minutes left, Morton defense led to offense. Cecilia Gamboa cleared a 40-yard Joliet Central free kick upfield, eventually setting up a rush into the box by Morton’s Lorena Jaimes that required two defenders to deny.
Joliet Central continued to battle, as Mamechie Anaman’s fought through two Morton defenders to send a 16-yard shot wide right with 28:20 to go.
Then with 19 minutes left, Ariana Carbajal’s bid was denied by a header block by Morton’s Kimberly Pizzaro and clear by Esperanza Aranda.
Even with extensive substitutions and notable playing time for the entire Morton roster, the Mustangs hung tough.
“I liked how we played today,” Moreno said. “It was a good game for us. We worked together to get the W. We put new players in to help out, and we did pretty good.
“We got a little frustrated at the beginning of the season (a 2-3-0 record through five games). But we’re getting much better, with more talking and togetherness and more chemistry.”
Moreno nearly ended her night in style, lining a shot just wide with 14 minutes left in her bid for a hat-trick.
Joliet Central’s Angela Mendoza had an even closer call with four minutes left, lofting a high 28-yard left side one-timer high off the upper left post.
The night’s last quality chance was produced by Morton. Off a Bianca Navarrete 19-yard free kick left of the box, Valadez’s one-hop header was saved at the right post.
Defensively, Mustangs goalkeepers Dayanna Gonzalez (first 34 minutes of Tuesday’s game) and Elena Budziszewski have combined to allow just the one goal during Morton’s three-game winning streak.
And good news is tangible all over the field.
“I think we’ve learned how to play together more,” Villalobos said. “Now as a result our passing’s better, and everything is coming together.”
The next step for Morton is to carry the momentum into West Suburban Conference Gold Division play, which begins Thursday at Leyden.
“We’re just hoping to keep the ball rolling,” Villalobos said.
Starting lineups
Joliet Central
GK: Nicole Aguirre
D: Angela Mendoza
D: Rita Martinez
D: Alexa Prado
D: Claudia Cisneros
M: Alexa Lara
M: Wendy Hernandez
M: Marina Martinez
M: Ariana Carbajal
F: Jennifer Sandoval
F: Frida Guzman
Morton
GK: Dayanna Gonzalez
D: Nayelly Villalobos
D: Joanna Solano
D: Kemelyn Quevedo
D: Melanie Carranza
M: Julissa Solano
M: Mayte Gongora
M: Medelin Loza
M: Jessica Franco
F: Adriana Moreno
F: Lorena Jaimes
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Adriana Moreno, so. F, Morton
Scoring summary
First half
M- Moreno (unassisted), 3rd minute
M- Moreno (Melanie Carranza), 7th minute
M- Xochilt Flores (Esmerelda Bautista), 21st minute
M- Bautista (Jessica Santoyo), 31st minute
M- Angeli Pelayo (Jessica Franco), 40th minute
Second half
JC- Jennifer Sandoval, 42nd minute
Soph forward powers big 1st half in 5-1 win over Joliet Central
By Dave Owen
BERWYN – Overcoming an offseason torn ACL suffered by three-year standout attacking midfielder Jackie Murillo has produced a bit of a roller coaster ride for Morton’s offense this spring.
But a five-goal first half Tuesday and a three-game winning streak indicate the valleys may be vanishing for the Mustangs (7-5-0).
“That (injury to Murillo) was a big hit to us,” Morton senior defender Nayelly Villalobos said. “She’s such a great help in the middle and as an all-around player. She plays hard every game.”
The impact of her absence was even more directly felt by Morton’s forwards.
“It was sad for me, because last season she really helped me out and really encouraged me to do better,” Morton sophomore forward Adriana Moreno said of Murillo. “She was a really good help last year, and I really wish she felt better.
“We just try our best for her and try to get our W’s for her, and hopefully she can get better and be back on the field with us.”
There is cautious hope that Murillo’s return may happen in a few weeks. And seeing performances like Tuesday’s 5-1 win over Joliet Central (3-7-0) may be the perfect get-well card for the senior.
“Jackie had knee surgery in November, and she’s due back May 1,” Morton coach Jim Bageanis said, “but I don’t know if she’s going to come back. I don’t know if we want to risk it the last two weeks of the season and her not be fully ready to go out there.
“We’ve had to learn how to adapt without her all year, and that meant some growing pains at the beginning getting used to not having her out there. We used to depend on her a lot. She was a leader for us.”
Based on Moreno’s take-charge play from the start of Tuesday’s match, the Mustangs now have another leader.
In the first seven minutes of play, Moreno produced an unassisted goal and then a score off a Melanie Carranza assist as Morton seized a quick 2-0 lead and never looked back.
Moreno has 12 goals this season, but didn’t expect the instant offense Tuesday.
“It was just out of nowhere,” said Moreno, the Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match. “I really haven’t been playing my game, but today I really tried stepping it up more.”
Said Bageanis: “She (Moreno) is our goal scorer. She got loose a few times, and if you let her get loose within 20 yards she can make you pay. She was on target today; she had a good game.”
After Moreno’s quick one-two combination had Joliet Central reeling, Morton unleashed its depth to continue an explosive first half.
After Medelin Loza lined a 15-yard shot just over the net in the 19th minute, freshman Esmerelda Bautista added to an impressive start to her Morton varsity career.
With 19:21 left in the first half, Bautista took a Natalie Valadez pass, dribbled to the end line just right of the net and sent a short cross to Xochilt Flores open in front for a 6-yard putaway and a 3-0 Morton lead.
“We brought a freshman up Esmerelda Bautista who has a nice touch and can play multiple positions,” Bageanis said. “She’s a good passer and sees the field. It’s her third game, and she had assists in our last two games too (both 1-0 Morton wins). She’s got her head up all the time; she’s a playmaker.
“She played the ball across nicely (on the third goal). She waited instead of wasting a shot,” Bageanis added. “She cut the ball back, and Xochilt Flores scored.”
Later in the half, Bautista was heard from again.
With 9:08 to go until halftime, midfielder Jessica Santoyo sent a cross from the sideline to Bautista in front. She punched home her first varsity goal to make the lead 4-0.
“We were really connecting the ball,” Villalobos said. “ It was one of the best games we’ve had in terms of having really good passing combinations with each other. We really found each other and played to feet. It was good.”
It got better for Morton with just 49.6 seconds left in the first half -- this time off combination defense, passing and finishing.
Jessica Franco made a steal along the right sideline, dribbled in on the wing and sent a cross in front to Angeli Pelayo for a 10-yard drive into the net that ballooned the lead to 5-0 at halftime.
“We played well in the first half,” Bageanis said. “We were really moving the ball and playing a lot of one-touch -- that’s getting better.
“We got in a few times and took care of some shots. Instead of off-frame, they (the shots) were on-frame, and good things happen when it’s on-frame.”
The breeze that had been at Morton’s backs in the first half aided the first half barrage. But as those winds intensified in the second half, Joliet Central took quick advantage.
Off a 30-yard free kick send just two minutes after intermission, Joliet Central’s Jennifer Sandoval spun free from a crowd during a scramble in front for a header score that trimmed the Morton edge to 5-1.
“They really picked it up and were really in our half of the field,” Villalobos said of Joliet Central’s never-quit performance.
But that early second half goal proved to be the only blemish on the Morton defensive effort. And less than two minutes later, Bautista burst loose on a breakaway that ended up inches from being the Mustang's sixth goal.
Bautista tipped her shot past charging Joliet Central goalkeeper Nicole Aguirre. But as the ball rolled toward the net, Steelwomen defender Alexa Lara hustled back to clear the ball off the goal line.
With 30 minutes left, Morton defense led to offense. Cecilia Gamboa cleared a 40-yard Joliet Central free kick upfield, eventually setting up a rush into the box by Morton’s Lorena Jaimes that required two defenders to deny.
Joliet Central continued to battle, as Mamechie Anaman’s fought through two Morton defenders to send a 16-yard shot wide right with 28:20 to go.
Then with 19 minutes left, Ariana Carbajal’s bid was denied by a header block by Morton’s Kimberly Pizzaro and clear by Esperanza Aranda.
Even with extensive substitutions and notable playing time for the entire Morton roster, the Mustangs hung tough.
“I liked how we played today,” Moreno said. “It was a good game for us. We worked together to get the W. We put new players in to help out, and we did pretty good.
“We got a little frustrated at the beginning of the season (a 2-3-0 record through five games). But we’re getting much better, with more talking and togetherness and more chemistry.”
Moreno nearly ended her night in style, lining a shot just wide with 14 minutes left in her bid for a hat-trick.
Joliet Central’s Angela Mendoza had an even closer call with four minutes left, lofting a high 28-yard left side one-timer high off the upper left post.
The night’s last quality chance was produced by Morton. Off a Bianca Navarrete 19-yard free kick left of the box, Valadez’s one-hop header was saved at the right post.
Defensively, Mustangs goalkeepers Dayanna Gonzalez (first 34 minutes of Tuesday’s game) and Elena Budziszewski have combined to allow just the one goal during Morton’s three-game winning streak.
And good news is tangible all over the field.
“I think we’ve learned how to play together more,” Villalobos said. “Now as a result our passing’s better, and everything is coming together.”
The next step for Morton is to carry the momentum into West Suburban Conference Gold Division play, which begins Thursday at Leyden.
“We’re just hoping to keep the ball rolling,” Villalobos said.
Starting lineups
Joliet Central
GK: Nicole Aguirre
D: Angela Mendoza
D: Rita Martinez
D: Alexa Prado
D: Claudia Cisneros
M: Alexa Lara
M: Wendy Hernandez
M: Marina Martinez
M: Ariana Carbajal
F: Jennifer Sandoval
F: Frida Guzman
Morton
GK: Dayanna Gonzalez
D: Nayelly Villalobos
D: Joanna Solano
D: Kemelyn Quevedo
D: Melanie Carranza
M: Julissa Solano
M: Mayte Gongora
M: Medelin Loza
M: Jessica Franco
F: Adriana Moreno
F: Lorena Jaimes
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match: Adriana Moreno, so. F, Morton
Scoring summary
First half
M- Moreno (unassisted), 3rd minute
M- Moreno (Melanie Carranza), 7th minute
M- Xochilt Flores (Esmerelda Bautista), 21st minute
M- Bautista (Jessica Santoyo), 31st minute
M- Angeli Pelayo (Jessica Franco), 40th minute
Second half
JC- Jennifer Sandoval, 42nd minute