Marmion falls to Barrington in final battle
Host Broncos post 3-0 victory
By Mike Garofola
Barrington - Two years ago, when Jimmy Romano took over the struggling Marmion soccer program, his lads went 5-13-1 and played in the sixth place match at the Barrington Classic.
The Cadets rebuild came quickly under the former Streamwood star with the club playing for third place at the same tournament a year later before lifting both a regional and sectional plaque before falling one victory short of advancing into the last four at the Class AA state tournament.
Romano and his staff continued to work their magic in the early stages of the 2019 campaign - recording three consecutive clean-sheets in group play at the Classic - to reach the final for the first time since 2008.
We all play for Jimmy was the sentiment echoed by both Tyler Laurich and C.J. Sowers after the Cadets fell to host Barrington 3-0 Saturday night at Barrington Community Stadium.
"He's (the reason) for the success we've had thus far," continued Sowers.
"We've gone from playing as individuals to playing together as a team, because Romano has made Cadets soccer like a family. We play for each other before anything else."
Romano's captains, Jason Baker, Ian Swindle, Laurich and Sowers, were there during his first year with the club.
"Yes, it wasn't very pretty back then," said Romano of a side that was shutout on six occasions, while conceding 47 goals and going 2-5-1 in the Chicago Catholic League Green Division.
"The major reason for our turnaround has been the terrific leadership of those senior captains, I cannot emphasize that enough.
"You know, in reality, we only have two months with these guys who come from all over, bringing a different style of play from the various clubs they play at.
"It's a testament to those seniors who help bring everyone together, sharing the message of playing together for your teammates, who are your family during the soccer season."
The Cadets (2-2-2) won the Black Division here in group play with a 2-0-1 record thanks to a stingy backline and strong play between the sticks from Baker.
"Baker has been the unsung hero for us as far as I am concerned," Romano said.
The tourney host Broncos (4-2-0) needed to bounce back in a hurry in the Red Division after falling flat on their collective faces during a 3-0 loss to Boylan in its group play opener on Labor Day.
"We made a mess of things for ourselves with that loss," admitted Barrington manager Scott Steib, who entered the 2019 season with an overall record of 350-112-42 for the Broncos, which includes four state appearances, a state title in 2007, three Mid-Suburban League Soccer Bowl crowns and eight MSL West Division titles.
"We didn't do outselves any favors with that loss to Boylan, but credit the lads. (They) came back to get a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Lake Zurich next time out to get themselves back in the running."
Two days later, with a little help from their longtime rivals from Lake Zurich which beat Boylan, the Broncos were through following an impressive 3-0 win against Jacobs, which entered the final day of group play atop the leader board.
"What I liked so much about these last two games in how well we played defensively, from front-to-back," said the Broncos 6-foot-4 center back Josef (Jo) Cidulka.
"Daniel (Hesselbein) doing a great job for us as our keeper to help us get two-straight shutouts."
Cidulka is your classic central defender: strong in the tackle, commanding aerially. He is underrated as a passer from deep and shows a willingnes to go forward when the opportunity arises.
With backline mates Bryan Guarnero, Nate Horn and Aidan Lew, with Brendan Lodl sitting just in front of the Broncos back four in their 4-1-4-1 formation, Barrington was organized and air-tight for nearly the entire night against the Cadets.
"Barrington was big, and strong, much bigger than we were - but to be honest, I really felt we were too soft in that first half," Sowers said.
The Barrington Classic trophy stayed home due to a couple of factors, one of which both Laurich and Sowers acknowledged.
Said Laurich: "We didn't attack at all in the first half. They were winning a ton of balls all over while using their size and strength to slow us down, and to force us to just defend in that first half."
"We didn't handle their pressure very well," Sowers said. "So your defending (instead) of attacking, and it kind of forced us to sit too deep."
But for all of its possession and ball-winning superiority, the Barrington attack sputtered in the final third, though they could have finished at least one of two quality chances created before the half-hour arrived.
A wonderfully paced early ball from Brendan Lodl wrong-footed Chris Guerra just near the spot. Later Guarnero latched onto a ball from Cidulka and carried to the endline and then sent in a cross to Henry Wachsman who went just over the bar.
A brilliant diagonal ball from Niko Argyros set C.J. Steib free up the right side but his effort went just wide.
"We withstood a lot of pressure during the last part of the first half, but we did well to handle it," said a proud Romano. "And that's another thing about this group of young men, they battle, stay composed and do not give in."
The Broncos went to more of a 4-4-2 after the break, moving C.J. Steib forward to join up with Guerra. Romano sent Laurich back in as his central defender after spending plenty of time in the Cadets midfield during the first 40 minutes.
After the break the Guerra-Steib duo instantly made their mark when they executed a near-perfect counter that allowed Horak to finish at the end of his center-channel run.
The goal at 46 minutes was Horak's third in as many games.
"We've made great strides in our attack after scoring just once in our first three games," said Steib.
"Since then it's been eight in three games, some of it coming from quality finishing but also some from our movement and the way we're getting forward together."
The Horak opener awoke the Cadets sleepy attack, and soon, the visitors were playing with more confidence inspired by Joseph Lagman, James Lawinger, Nathan Sowers, Swindle and Laurich, whose header of a Nathan Sowers forced a save from Hesselbein.
Romano was booked for dissent in the 57th minute when he reminded referee Rich Grady one too many times the Broncos were piling up an unusually high amount of fouls without a booking to slow down the physical play.
"I don't deny Barrington was bigger and stronger than us, but they took plenty of fouls when it appeared we were getting our attack up and running, and I just felt that was a big reason for our inability to create much of anything dangerous in their end," said Romano.
Baker's double save on close-range blasts from Cidulka and Brian Yang were brilliant, but the Cadets could nothing when his second stop spilled freely away from his line.
Nate Horn took the opportunity to thump his header past a helpless Baker. However in doing so, he opened up a wound that would later require seven stiches according to Scott Steib.
The Horn goal took the air out of the Cadets balloon momentarily, but as their manager has said, there's no quit in his club.
A well-paced ball from out of the area into the Broncos box from Adrian Ruiz was parried away by Cidulka, Sowers went wide of the post in the 70th minute, and Christian Cardenas sent his header off a Nathan Sowers serve wide of Hesselbein.
Brian Yang added one last goal to the Broncos scoreline in the 75th minute.
It was a valiant effort for Marmion.
"There were a lot of guys who stood out tonight," began Romano.
"Baker, as I mentioned earlier, Laurich, who is our guy who can play all over the field, C.J. who is a great leader on both sides of the ball, and our outside back, Drew Noecker, who I felt had a very good strong game all night long."
"These guys play for the Marmion Academy shield with a lot of pride. Even though we fell short of our goal of winning the Classic, this game will go a long way toward getting us prepared for what's ahead of us."
The Cadets begin the first of three nonconference matches on Tuesday at St. Rita before hosting Providence Thursday afternoon. Marmion goes on the road for its final contest of the week two days later at nearby Aurora Central.
Barrington faces division rival Conant in its first MSL West contest of this young season on Tuesday in Hoffman Estates, then welcomes Elk Grove the following evening at Barrington Community Stadium.
Starting lineups
Marmion Academy (4-5-1)
G- Jason Baker
D- Drew Noecker
D- Matthew Silva
D- Tyler Laurich
D- Danny Brummel
M- Ian Swindle
M- C.J. Sowers
M- Joseph Lagman
M- Nathan Sowers
M- Adrian Cruz
F- Matthew Sullivan
Barrington (4-1-4-1)
G- Daniel Hesselbein
D- Aidan Lew
D- Jo Cidulka
D- Nate Horn
D- Bryan Guarnero
M- Brendan Lodl
M- Michael Horak
M- C.J. Steib
M- Henry Wachsman
M- Niko Argyros
F- Chris Guerra
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Tyler Laurich, sr., D/MF, Marmion
Michael Horak, jr., MF, Barrington
Referee: Rich Grady
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Barrington: Horak (Guerra, Steib) 46'
Barrington: Horn (Yang) 60'
Barrington: Yang (Tuerck, Rodriguez) 75'
Host Broncos post 3-0 victory
By Mike Garofola
Barrington - Two years ago, when Jimmy Romano took over the struggling Marmion soccer program, his lads went 5-13-1 and played in the sixth place match at the Barrington Classic.
The Cadets rebuild came quickly under the former Streamwood star with the club playing for third place at the same tournament a year later before lifting both a regional and sectional plaque before falling one victory short of advancing into the last four at the Class AA state tournament.
Romano and his staff continued to work their magic in the early stages of the 2019 campaign - recording three consecutive clean-sheets in group play at the Classic - to reach the final for the first time since 2008.
We all play for Jimmy was the sentiment echoed by both Tyler Laurich and C.J. Sowers after the Cadets fell to host Barrington 3-0 Saturday night at Barrington Community Stadium.
"He's (the reason) for the success we've had thus far," continued Sowers.
"We've gone from playing as individuals to playing together as a team, because Romano has made Cadets soccer like a family. We play for each other before anything else."
Romano's captains, Jason Baker, Ian Swindle, Laurich and Sowers, were there during his first year with the club.
"Yes, it wasn't very pretty back then," said Romano of a side that was shutout on six occasions, while conceding 47 goals and going 2-5-1 in the Chicago Catholic League Green Division.
"The major reason for our turnaround has been the terrific leadership of those senior captains, I cannot emphasize that enough.
"You know, in reality, we only have two months with these guys who come from all over, bringing a different style of play from the various clubs they play at.
"It's a testament to those seniors who help bring everyone together, sharing the message of playing together for your teammates, who are your family during the soccer season."
The Cadets (2-2-2) won the Black Division here in group play with a 2-0-1 record thanks to a stingy backline and strong play between the sticks from Baker.
"Baker has been the unsung hero for us as far as I am concerned," Romano said.
The tourney host Broncos (4-2-0) needed to bounce back in a hurry in the Red Division after falling flat on their collective faces during a 3-0 loss to Boylan in its group play opener on Labor Day.
"We made a mess of things for ourselves with that loss," admitted Barrington manager Scott Steib, who entered the 2019 season with an overall record of 350-112-42 for the Broncos, which includes four state appearances, a state title in 2007, three Mid-Suburban League Soccer Bowl crowns and eight MSL West Division titles.
"We didn't do outselves any favors with that loss to Boylan, but credit the lads. (They) came back to get a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Lake Zurich next time out to get themselves back in the running."
Two days later, with a little help from their longtime rivals from Lake Zurich which beat Boylan, the Broncos were through following an impressive 3-0 win against Jacobs, which entered the final day of group play atop the leader board.
"What I liked so much about these last two games in how well we played defensively, from front-to-back," said the Broncos 6-foot-4 center back Josef (Jo) Cidulka.
"Daniel (Hesselbein) doing a great job for us as our keeper to help us get two-straight shutouts."
Cidulka is your classic central defender: strong in the tackle, commanding aerially. He is underrated as a passer from deep and shows a willingnes to go forward when the opportunity arises.
With backline mates Bryan Guarnero, Nate Horn and Aidan Lew, with Brendan Lodl sitting just in front of the Broncos back four in their 4-1-4-1 formation, Barrington was organized and air-tight for nearly the entire night against the Cadets.
"Barrington was big, and strong, much bigger than we were - but to be honest, I really felt we were too soft in that first half," Sowers said.
The Barrington Classic trophy stayed home due to a couple of factors, one of which both Laurich and Sowers acknowledged.
Said Laurich: "We didn't attack at all in the first half. They were winning a ton of balls all over while using their size and strength to slow us down, and to force us to just defend in that first half."
"We didn't handle their pressure very well," Sowers said. "So your defending (instead) of attacking, and it kind of forced us to sit too deep."
But for all of its possession and ball-winning superiority, the Barrington attack sputtered in the final third, though they could have finished at least one of two quality chances created before the half-hour arrived.
A wonderfully paced early ball from Brendan Lodl wrong-footed Chris Guerra just near the spot. Later Guarnero latched onto a ball from Cidulka and carried to the endline and then sent in a cross to Henry Wachsman who went just over the bar.
A brilliant diagonal ball from Niko Argyros set C.J. Steib free up the right side but his effort went just wide.
"We withstood a lot of pressure during the last part of the first half, but we did well to handle it," said a proud Romano. "And that's another thing about this group of young men, they battle, stay composed and do not give in."
The Broncos went to more of a 4-4-2 after the break, moving C.J. Steib forward to join up with Guerra. Romano sent Laurich back in as his central defender after spending plenty of time in the Cadets midfield during the first 40 minutes.
After the break the Guerra-Steib duo instantly made their mark when they executed a near-perfect counter that allowed Horak to finish at the end of his center-channel run.
The goal at 46 minutes was Horak's third in as many games.
"We've made great strides in our attack after scoring just once in our first three games," said Steib.
"Since then it's been eight in three games, some of it coming from quality finishing but also some from our movement and the way we're getting forward together."
The Horak opener awoke the Cadets sleepy attack, and soon, the visitors were playing with more confidence inspired by Joseph Lagman, James Lawinger, Nathan Sowers, Swindle and Laurich, whose header of a Nathan Sowers forced a save from Hesselbein.
Romano was booked for dissent in the 57th minute when he reminded referee Rich Grady one too many times the Broncos were piling up an unusually high amount of fouls without a booking to slow down the physical play.
"I don't deny Barrington was bigger and stronger than us, but they took plenty of fouls when it appeared we were getting our attack up and running, and I just felt that was a big reason for our inability to create much of anything dangerous in their end," said Romano.
Baker's double save on close-range blasts from Cidulka and Brian Yang were brilliant, but the Cadets could nothing when his second stop spilled freely away from his line.
Nate Horn took the opportunity to thump his header past a helpless Baker. However in doing so, he opened up a wound that would later require seven stiches according to Scott Steib.
The Horn goal took the air out of the Cadets balloon momentarily, but as their manager has said, there's no quit in his club.
A well-paced ball from out of the area into the Broncos box from Adrian Ruiz was parried away by Cidulka, Sowers went wide of the post in the 70th minute, and Christian Cardenas sent his header off a Nathan Sowers serve wide of Hesselbein.
Brian Yang added one last goal to the Broncos scoreline in the 75th minute.
It was a valiant effort for Marmion.
"There were a lot of guys who stood out tonight," began Romano.
"Baker, as I mentioned earlier, Laurich, who is our guy who can play all over the field, C.J. who is a great leader on both sides of the ball, and our outside back, Drew Noecker, who I felt had a very good strong game all night long."
"These guys play for the Marmion Academy shield with a lot of pride. Even though we fell short of our goal of winning the Classic, this game will go a long way toward getting us prepared for what's ahead of us."
The Cadets begin the first of three nonconference matches on Tuesday at St. Rita before hosting Providence Thursday afternoon. Marmion goes on the road for its final contest of the week two days later at nearby Aurora Central.
Barrington faces division rival Conant in its first MSL West contest of this young season on Tuesday in Hoffman Estates, then welcomes Elk Grove the following evening at Barrington Community Stadium.
Starting lineups
Marmion Academy (4-5-1)
G- Jason Baker
D- Drew Noecker
D- Matthew Silva
D- Tyler Laurich
D- Danny Brummel
M- Ian Swindle
M- C.J. Sowers
M- Joseph Lagman
M- Nathan Sowers
M- Adrian Cruz
F- Matthew Sullivan
Barrington (4-1-4-1)
G- Daniel Hesselbein
D- Aidan Lew
D- Jo Cidulka
D- Nate Horn
D- Bryan Guarnero
M- Brendan Lodl
M- Michael Horak
M- C.J. Steib
M- Henry Wachsman
M- Niko Argyros
F- Chris Guerra
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Tyler Laurich, sr., D/MF, Marmion
Michael Horak, jr., MF, Barrington
Referee: Rich Grady
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Barrington: Horak (Guerra, Steib) 46'
Barrington: Horn (Yang) 60'
Barrington: Yang (Tuerck, Rodriguez) 75'