Streamwood posts chill victory over Larkin
Sabres take 6-2 win, expect better in state mirror matchup Friday
By Bobby Narang
STREAMWOOD -- After a flurry of goals in the first half, Streamwood started to play with a little less urgency against Larkin on Wednesday afternoon.
The sun-splashed, late afternoon game was the regular-season finale for both teams. The big early lead allowed the Sabres to enjoy the beautiful weather and led to a number of memorable highlights and smiling faces.
Considering the combatants would be playing each other in less than 48 hours — on the same field, no less — in their playoff opener, it was a unique 80-minute battle between two teams attempting to conserve some energy in the intense heat and not show too much before the Class 3AA Streamwood Regional quarterfinal match at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
So, when Streamwood star midfielder Diana Herrera attempted to half-heartedly stop a five-foot throw-in pass from senior teammate Esther Cardenas with her foot but lost control of the ball, it prompted a big smile on Herrera’s face. A few minutes later when it happened again, Streamwood coach Matt Polovin barked out, “Diana, please trap the ball.”
On this afternoon the Sabres didn’t need pleading from Polovin, they weren’t going to let this game slip away. Streamwood scored four goals in the first half to pull out a 6-2 victory over the Royals.
“Coach even pulled me to the side and everything,” Herrera said, smiling. “Overall, I liked how we came together as a team and connected. We could’ve done a lot better, but this heat made it tougher.
“We tried to make the best out of it. I’m pretty sad for the last game. We have to keep going as far as we can, and hopefully we can beat Larkin on Friday.”
Herrera, who had two assists in the victory, was one of the few regular starters to not score a goal. That caused a frustrated smile in the postgame.
“I’m pretty upset I didn’t make any goals, but I’m glad we created the chances as a group. We developed from the beginning of the season,” she said. “We have to do a better job of finishing on those chances, especially on Friday.
“We now know their style of play and have to build that up and score more goals. We have to start off strong and start scoring, and hopefully we get to cut the time in half.”
Larkin coach Michael Hulzar said his players battled for the entire 80 minutes. Ximena Bermudez and Gabriela Perez scored goals for the Royals (1-12-2).
“We’ve had a lot of injuries. We’re very lucky this year we’ve had a varsity and junior varsity and no ineligible players,” Hulzar said. “We had a few players not return at the start of the season, so that set us back.
“We’re miles from where we started the season. I’m super excited. I know if we stay together, they can be really great. It’s been exciting to see them develop. Jordan Vopat, a four-year varsity player, has played great. We’ve relied on her experience.”
Vopat admitted it’s been a tough season. She suffered an injury on a hard tackle in the 56th minute, leading to a penalty kick goal for Perez. Vopat scored five goals in a 6-3 win over East Aurora on April 27.
“It was hard coming back seeing a lot of my friends not come back,” Vopat said. “We were hoping for another strong season, but it’s high school, so that happens. I hope the underclassmen learn from this season.”
The Sabres (6-12-1) closed the regular season in a flourish, winning three of their last four games. They defeated Elk Grove and Fenton and played a competitive match in a 2-0 defeat at Batavia on Tuesday.
Polovin said he was happy to end the regular-season with a victory but noted his players need to play with more effort on Friday. The Sabres only scored two goals in the second half Wednesday.
“We had a great game against Batavia, and the girls played fantastic,” Polovin said. “It was a hard, long 80 minutes against Batavia. I really wasn’t expecting to play 80 minutes tonight, score eight or nine goals and give them time to rest.
“The good thing is they’re getting opportunities, but in the last games of the season, those are the ones we need to put in. Friday is when it all matters. If you miss those easy ones, it could be the end of your season.
“It was a little frustrating, because they know the expectations. Yes, we won, but it should’ve been a bit more convincing.”
The Sabres spread out the scoring, but they missed numerous chances to shorten the clock. Daniela Sanchez scored two of the first three goals, Reyna Saldivar added a goal and Dayanara Huerta scored with 6:19 left in the first half for the Sabres.
Huerta started the scoring in the second half for the Sabres, beating a defender for a one-on-one before soft-tapping the ball past Larkin’s goalie in the 65th minute. Cardenas, a captain, missed a close shot with 10 minutes left, but countered with a header off a corner kick in the 72nd minute to close out the scoring.
Streamwood junior Selina Chavez tallied six saves in the win, highlighted by a diving save late in the first half.
Polovin credited his seniors for helping lift the team during some trying moments over the last few seasons, noting the strong leadership of Herrera and Cardenas.
“Diana and Esther have been with me all four years, and also on my club team that’s going to the USA Youth National Championship this summer in Orlando,” he said. “With them, it’s tough to lose players like that. They’re great kids and great players. I’ll still be with them this summer preparing for nationals. We still have to take care of business on Friday, and keep the season going.
“I’ll always take a win, but wish tonight would’ve been little cleaner. We will try and have fun in Thursday’s practice and get ready for Friday.”
Starting lineups
Larkin
GK Joseline Flores
D Jateme Owens
D Wendy Damian
D Isabel Hernandez
D Ximena Bermudez
MF Jaqueline Alvarex
MF Mia Merlo
MF Andrea Perez-Valencia
MF Gabriela Perez
F Zazil Bahena
F Jordan Vopat
Streamwood
GK Selina Chavez
D Esther Cardenas
D Jeldy Salazar
D Milanie Martinez
D Alondra Mendoza
MF Diana Herrera
MF Daniela Sanchez
MF Karla Morales
MF Emma Skrgic
F Dayanara Huerta
F Reyna Saldivar
Chicagoland MVP of the Match: Daniela Sanchez, jr. MF, Streamwood
Scoring summary
First half
S: Daniela Sanchez (Dayanara Huerta), 12th minute
S: Reyna Saldivar (Diana Herrera), 13th minute
L: Ximena Bermudez (unassisted), 22nd minute
S: Daniela Sanchez (unassisted), 25th minute
S: Dayanara Huerta (Daniela Sanchez), 34th minute
Second half
L: Gabriela Perez (penalty kick), 56th minute
S: Dayanara Huerta (Esther Cardneas) 65th minute
S: Esther Cardenas (Diana Herrera), 75th minute
Sabres take 6-2 win, expect better in state mirror matchup Friday
By Bobby Narang
STREAMWOOD -- After a flurry of goals in the first half, Streamwood started to play with a little less urgency against Larkin on Wednesday afternoon.
The sun-splashed, late afternoon game was the regular-season finale for both teams. The big early lead allowed the Sabres to enjoy the beautiful weather and led to a number of memorable highlights and smiling faces.
Considering the combatants would be playing each other in less than 48 hours — on the same field, no less — in their playoff opener, it was a unique 80-minute battle between two teams attempting to conserve some energy in the intense heat and not show too much before the Class 3AA Streamwood Regional quarterfinal match at 4:30 p.m. Friday.
So, when Streamwood star midfielder Diana Herrera attempted to half-heartedly stop a five-foot throw-in pass from senior teammate Esther Cardenas with her foot but lost control of the ball, it prompted a big smile on Herrera’s face. A few minutes later when it happened again, Streamwood coach Matt Polovin barked out, “Diana, please trap the ball.”
On this afternoon the Sabres didn’t need pleading from Polovin, they weren’t going to let this game slip away. Streamwood scored four goals in the first half to pull out a 6-2 victory over the Royals.
“Coach even pulled me to the side and everything,” Herrera said, smiling. “Overall, I liked how we came together as a team and connected. We could’ve done a lot better, but this heat made it tougher.
“We tried to make the best out of it. I’m pretty sad for the last game. We have to keep going as far as we can, and hopefully we can beat Larkin on Friday.”
Herrera, who had two assists in the victory, was one of the few regular starters to not score a goal. That caused a frustrated smile in the postgame.
“I’m pretty upset I didn’t make any goals, but I’m glad we created the chances as a group. We developed from the beginning of the season,” she said. “We have to do a better job of finishing on those chances, especially on Friday.
“We now know their style of play and have to build that up and score more goals. We have to start off strong and start scoring, and hopefully we get to cut the time in half.”
Larkin coach Michael Hulzar said his players battled for the entire 80 minutes. Ximena Bermudez and Gabriela Perez scored goals for the Royals (1-12-2).
“We’ve had a lot of injuries. We’re very lucky this year we’ve had a varsity and junior varsity and no ineligible players,” Hulzar said. “We had a few players not return at the start of the season, so that set us back.
“We’re miles from where we started the season. I’m super excited. I know if we stay together, they can be really great. It’s been exciting to see them develop. Jordan Vopat, a four-year varsity player, has played great. We’ve relied on her experience.”
Vopat admitted it’s been a tough season. She suffered an injury on a hard tackle in the 56th minute, leading to a penalty kick goal for Perez. Vopat scored five goals in a 6-3 win over East Aurora on April 27.
“It was hard coming back seeing a lot of my friends not come back,” Vopat said. “We were hoping for another strong season, but it’s high school, so that happens. I hope the underclassmen learn from this season.”
The Sabres (6-12-1) closed the regular season in a flourish, winning three of their last four games. They defeated Elk Grove and Fenton and played a competitive match in a 2-0 defeat at Batavia on Tuesday.
Polovin said he was happy to end the regular-season with a victory but noted his players need to play with more effort on Friday. The Sabres only scored two goals in the second half Wednesday.
“We had a great game against Batavia, and the girls played fantastic,” Polovin said. “It was a hard, long 80 minutes against Batavia. I really wasn’t expecting to play 80 minutes tonight, score eight or nine goals and give them time to rest.
“The good thing is they’re getting opportunities, but in the last games of the season, those are the ones we need to put in. Friday is when it all matters. If you miss those easy ones, it could be the end of your season.
“It was a little frustrating, because they know the expectations. Yes, we won, but it should’ve been a bit more convincing.”
The Sabres spread out the scoring, but they missed numerous chances to shorten the clock. Daniela Sanchez scored two of the first three goals, Reyna Saldivar added a goal and Dayanara Huerta scored with 6:19 left in the first half for the Sabres.
Huerta started the scoring in the second half for the Sabres, beating a defender for a one-on-one before soft-tapping the ball past Larkin’s goalie in the 65th minute. Cardenas, a captain, missed a close shot with 10 minutes left, but countered with a header off a corner kick in the 72nd minute to close out the scoring.
Streamwood junior Selina Chavez tallied six saves in the win, highlighted by a diving save late in the first half.
Polovin credited his seniors for helping lift the team during some trying moments over the last few seasons, noting the strong leadership of Herrera and Cardenas.
“Diana and Esther have been with me all four years, and also on my club team that’s going to the USA Youth National Championship this summer in Orlando,” he said. “With them, it’s tough to lose players like that. They’re great kids and great players. I’ll still be with them this summer preparing for nationals. We still have to take care of business on Friday, and keep the season going.
“I’ll always take a win, but wish tonight would’ve been little cleaner. We will try and have fun in Thursday’s practice and get ready for Friday.”
Starting lineups
Larkin
GK Joseline Flores
D Jateme Owens
D Wendy Damian
D Isabel Hernandez
D Ximena Bermudez
MF Jaqueline Alvarex
MF Mia Merlo
MF Andrea Perez-Valencia
MF Gabriela Perez
F Zazil Bahena
F Jordan Vopat
Streamwood
GK Selina Chavez
D Esther Cardenas
D Jeldy Salazar
D Milanie Martinez
D Alondra Mendoza
MF Diana Herrera
MF Daniela Sanchez
MF Karla Morales
MF Emma Skrgic
F Dayanara Huerta
F Reyna Saldivar
Chicagoland MVP of the Match: Daniela Sanchez, jr. MF, Streamwood
Scoring summary
First half
S: Daniela Sanchez (Dayanara Huerta), 12th minute
S: Reyna Saldivar (Diana Herrera), 13th minute
L: Ximena Bermudez (unassisted), 22nd minute
S: Daniela Sanchez (unassisted), 25th minute
S: Dayanara Huerta (Daniela Sanchez), 34th minute
Second half
L: Gabriela Perez (penalty kick), 56th minute
S: Dayanara Huerta (Esther Cardneas) 65th minute
S: Esther Cardenas (Diana Herrera), 75th minute