Lockport stuns Morton
to take 3rd in Class 3A
Williams, Molek tally shorthanded goals late in 2nd half for 2-1 win
By Matt Le Cren
HOFFMAN ESTATES -- Throughout its charmed 2021 season, Lockport had managed to overcome every challenge, from the lack of any history of postseason success to second half deficits in playoff games and the underwhelming expectation of others.
The Cinderella run concluded with a 3-2 loss to eventual state champion York in Friday’s Class 3A state semifinals.
But the story had a happier ending on Saturday, when the Porters stunned Morton 2-1 to capture third place. It is the first state trophy in program history, and not the one many people expected after Friday’s results.
Morton had tradition, skill and experience on its side and also had a man-advantage after Lockport defender Adam Doyle was sent off with a second yellow card with 33:29 remaining in the second half of a scoreless match.
But the Porters (20-2-0) had a gritty determination and never-say-die attitude that saw them through. Senior Dawid Molek and junior Dominic Williams tallied shorthanded goals on consecutive shots and then joined their teammates in holding off a late rally.
It was a stirring victory for a program that had won only three regionals and never a sectional championship before this season.
“It’s a huge comeback, and it’s a testament to these kids. Because you know what, we’ve shown time and time again this season. When we’re up against adversity and things look against us, that’s what brings us together,” Lockport coach Chris Beal said. “That’s what makes us strong and motivates us, because we know we have to work together.
“It shows the tenacity and determination and character these boys have.”
That was apparent again as the Porters battled the wounded yet gifted Mustangs (21-3-3), who were coming off a 1-0 semifinal loss to Fremd in which star captain Giovanni Alvarez was ejected for a hard tackle with 1:16 to go in the second half. That meant he couldn’t play Saturday. Lockport starting defender Ryan Pavelka was also unavailable for the game due to a late red card against York.
“The team that comes out and plays hard for the third place playoff, shows real character,” Beal said. “It shows how much it means to you as an individual and a team.
“It’s our final game together, and that’s more important -- the team finishing on a high. End the journey on a high.”
Despite missing Alvarez, Morton seemed to have a huge edge after Doyle was ejected. Yet the Mustangs could not capitalize, failing to get a decent shot on frame.
Lockport broke through when Williams notched a stunning goal with 16:09 to go. Makkonen Stampley started the play by sending a high ball into the box from the right wing.
Gabe Czako headed the ball across the crease to Williams, who volleyed the ball into the upper right corner of the net with his instep.
“I was just on top of the play, making sure I was ready,” Williams said. “You have to be ready when the ball comes to you.
“I was ready and just pounced on that opportunity. It felt absolutely amazing.”
Tallying one shorthanded goal, especially in a state finals game, is rare enough. Two is practically unheard of.
But that’s what the Porters did with their next shot. This time it was Molek who found the back of the net.
Morton’s Luis Gonzalez had gone to the ground to block a shot and the ball rolled out of the box and up the middle. Molek rushed in and fired a 23-yard shot into the lower right corner with 10:31 remaining.
Backup goalkeeper Brendan Flores, who had entered the game after Morton starter Daniel Martinez was injured on Williams’ goal, got his left hand on it but wasn’t able to stop the shot’s momentum.
“I just saw it coming to me, so I was like, ‘I can shoot this first time,’” Molek said. “If anything, we’ll get a deflection off it and see what happens.
“It felt great. We already knew we were doing better, so we just kept pushing and pushing until we got those goals through.”
Gonzalez answered with a power play goal for Morton at the 5:32 mark, working a give-and-go with Max Aquino before slotting a 12-yard shot under the arm of Lockport goalkeeper Patrick Marshall.
“It was good,” Gonzalez said. “I was just looking for a 1-2 and luckily Max gave me a special ball.”
The Mustangs barely missed getting a special ending that would have forced penalty kicks. As the manic final seconds ticked down, they rushed to find a game ball to get off a corner kick.
Eddie Barraza headed the ball in the net as the buzzer blared. The goal was disallowed, however; the referees ruled the ball crossed the line a nanosecond late.
“I wish our effort would have been better earlier in the game,” Morton coach Jim Bageanis said. “We didn’t come out as hard as we should.
“I think the kids were let down from yesterday. We made it exciting in the last five minutes, but we needed to play more than a 40-minute half.”
Gonzalez tried to muster a smile after the Mustangs accepted the fourth place trophy, but the disappointment was still evident.
“It was tough, especially since we are all beat up,” Gonzalez said. “We have a lot of injured players.
“I was injured myself. We were just trying to fight through that. Those were tough losses.”
Bageanis was disappointed, too, but he put the fourth place finish in perspective. This was the 10th time in program history the Mustangs have qualified for the state finals and their sixth trophy, four of which have come since 2011. They finished second in 2019 and held the mantle of state runnerup through 2020 when COVID-19 cancelled the fall season.
“I know our expectations are high at our school, but it’s such a crapshoot to get to where we get every year having to beat the teams we need to beat to get there,” Bageanis said. “I don’t think people outside of the soccer community know how hard it is to get there year after year.
“Some schools wait 30 years before they get there.”
Schools like Lockport, which had fielded some good teams over the years but had been unable to break through until now.
“I’m just incredibly proud,” Beal said. “It’s great to come to state and a great experience for the players. They worked as hard as they could and they’re really such respectful kids with great character.”
Molek said the overall goal was simple.
“We just want to leave our name and the mark,” he said. “The seniors worked really hard this season, so we just wanted to leave it all out there.”
The Porters did and Williams was glad to be able to help out.
“It felt absolutely amazing, and I’m just grateful for experience with all these guys,” Williams said. “There’s no one else I’d rather experience it with.
“This is the team to make history with, and it will be at Lockport forever.”
Editor’s note: Chicagoland Soccer commends the Morton community for its tremendous support of the Mustangs and high school soccer. For the last two editions of the boys finals weekend, the school has sent more than 110 buses of supporters to the games. It helped create an electric atmosphere and added to the wonderful memories for all involved.
Starting lineups
Morton
GK Daniel Martinez
D Eddie Barraza
D Juan Ramirez
D Ivan Ramirez
D Luis Gonzalez
M Jonathan Murillo
M Edgar Quintero
M Daniel Diaz
F Deyair Ruiz
F Ismael Zepeda
F Max Aquino
Lockport
GK Patrick Marshall
D Gabe Czako
D Adam Doyle
D Dylan Vilcek
D Zach Skiba
M Daniel Morgan
M Dan Jimenez
M Dominic Williams
F Makonnen Stampley
F Danny Kajtezovic
F Nate Blazewski
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Dominic Williams, jr., D, Lockport
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Lockport – Dominic Williams (Gabe Czako, Makonnen Stampley) 16:09 remaining (shorthanded)
Lockport – Dawid Molek (unassisted) 10:31 remaining (shorthanded)
Morton – Luis Gonzalez (Max Aquino) 5:32 remaining (man advantage)
to take 3rd in Class 3A
Williams, Molek tally shorthanded goals late in 2nd half for 2-1 win
By Matt Le Cren
HOFFMAN ESTATES -- Throughout its charmed 2021 season, Lockport had managed to overcome every challenge, from the lack of any history of postseason success to second half deficits in playoff games and the underwhelming expectation of others.
The Cinderella run concluded with a 3-2 loss to eventual state champion York in Friday’s Class 3A state semifinals.
But the story had a happier ending on Saturday, when the Porters stunned Morton 2-1 to capture third place. It is the first state trophy in program history, and not the one many people expected after Friday’s results.
Morton had tradition, skill and experience on its side and also had a man-advantage after Lockport defender Adam Doyle was sent off with a second yellow card with 33:29 remaining in the second half of a scoreless match.
But the Porters (20-2-0) had a gritty determination and never-say-die attitude that saw them through. Senior Dawid Molek and junior Dominic Williams tallied shorthanded goals on consecutive shots and then joined their teammates in holding off a late rally.
It was a stirring victory for a program that had won only three regionals and never a sectional championship before this season.
“It’s a huge comeback, and it’s a testament to these kids. Because you know what, we’ve shown time and time again this season. When we’re up against adversity and things look against us, that’s what brings us together,” Lockport coach Chris Beal said. “That’s what makes us strong and motivates us, because we know we have to work together.
“It shows the tenacity and determination and character these boys have.”
That was apparent again as the Porters battled the wounded yet gifted Mustangs (21-3-3), who were coming off a 1-0 semifinal loss to Fremd in which star captain Giovanni Alvarez was ejected for a hard tackle with 1:16 to go in the second half. That meant he couldn’t play Saturday. Lockport starting defender Ryan Pavelka was also unavailable for the game due to a late red card against York.
“The team that comes out and plays hard for the third place playoff, shows real character,” Beal said. “It shows how much it means to you as an individual and a team.
“It’s our final game together, and that’s more important -- the team finishing on a high. End the journey on a high.”
Despite missing Alvarez, Morton seemed to have a huge edge after Doyle was ejected. Yet the Mustangs could not capitalize, failing to get a decent shot on frame.
Lockport broke through when Williams notched a stunning goal with 16:09 to go. Makkonen Stampley started the play by sending a high ball into the box from the right wing.
Gabe Czako headed the ball across the crease to Williams, who volleyed the ball into the upper right corner of the net with his instep.
“I was just on top of the play, making sure I was ready,” Williams said. “You have to be ready when the ball comes to you.
“I was ready and just pounced on that opportunity. It felt absolutely amazing.”
Tallying one shorthanded goal, especially in a state finals game, is rare enough. Two is practically unheard of.
But that’s what the Porters did with their next shot. This time it was Molek who found the back of the net.
Morton’s Luis Gonzalez had gone to the ground to block a shot and the ball rolled out of the box and up the middle. Molek rushed in and fired a 23-yard shot into the lower right corner with 10:31 remaining.
Backup goalkeeper Brendan Flores, who had entered the game after Morton starter Daniel Martinez was injured on Williams’ goal, got his left hand on it but wasn’t able to stop the shot’s momentum.
“I just saw it coming to me, so I was like, ‘I can shoot this first time,’” Molek said. “If anything, we’ll get a deflection off it and see what happens.
“It felt great. We already knew we were doing better, so we just kept pushing and pushing until we got those goals through.”
Gonzalez answered with a power play goal for Morton at the 5:32 mark, working a give-and-go with Max Aquino before slotting a 12-yard shot under the arm of Lockport goalkeeper Patrick Marshall.
“It was good,” Gonzalez said. “I was just looking for a 1-2 and luckily Max gave me a special ball.”
The Mustangs barely missed getting a special ending that would have forced penalty kicks. As the manic final seconds ticked down, they rushed to find a game ball to get off a corner kick.
Eddie Barraza headed the ball in the net as the buzzer blared. The goal was disallowed, however; the referees ruled the ball crossed the line a nanosecond late.
“I wish our effort would have been better earlier in the game,” Morton coach Jim Bageanis said. “We didn’t come out as hard as we should.
“I think the kids were let down from yesterday. We made it exciting in the last five minutes, but we needed to play more than a 40-minute half.”
Gonzalez tried to muster a smile after the Mustangs accepted the fourth place trophy, but the disappointment was still evident.
“It was tough, especially since we are all beat up,” Gonzalez said. “We have a lot of injured players.
“I was injured myself. We were just trying to fight through that. Those were tough losses.”
Bageanis was disappointed, too, but he put the fourth place finish in perspective. This was the 10th time in program history the Mustangs have qualified for the state finals and their sixth trophy, four of which have come since 2011. They finished second in 2019 and held the mantle of state runnerup through 2020 when COVID-19 cancelled the fall season.
“I know our expectations are high at our school, but it’s such a crapshoot to get to where we get every year having to beat the teams we need to beat to get there,” Bageanis said. “I don’t think people outside of the soccer community know how hard it is to get there year after year.
“Some schools wait 30 years before they get there.”
Schools like Lockport, which had fielded some good teams over the years but had been unable to break through until now.
“I’m just incredibly proud,” Beal said. “It’s great to come to state and a great experience for the players. They worked as hard as they could and they’re really such respectful kids with great character.”
Molek said the overall goal was simple.
“We just want to leave our name and the mark,” he said. “The seniors worked really hard this season, so we just wanted to leave it all out there.”
The Porters did and Williams was glad to be able to help out.
“It felt absolutely amazing, and I’m just grateful for experience with all these guys,” Williams said. “There’s no one else I’d rather experience it with.
“This is the team to make history with, and it will be at Lockport forever.”
Editor’s note: Chicagoland Soccer commends the Morton community for its tremendous support of the Mustangs and high school soccer. For the last two editions of the boys finals weekend, the school has sent more than 110 buses of supporters to the games. It helped create an electric atmosphere and added to the wonderful memories for all involved.
Starting lineups
Morton
GK Daniel Martinez
D Eddie Barraza
D Juan Ramirez
D Ivan Ramirez
D Luis Gonzalez
M Jonathan Murillo
M Edgar Quintero
M Daniel Diaz
F Deyair Ruiz
F Ismael Zepeda
F Max Aquino
Lockport
GK Patrick Marshall
D Gabe Czako
D Adam Doyle
D Dylan Vilcek
D Zach Skiba
M Daniel Morgan
M Dan Jimenez
M Dominic Williams
F Makonnen Stampley
F Danny Kajtezovic
F Nate Blazewski
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Dominic Williams, jr., D, Lockport
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Lockport – Dominic Williams (Gabe Czako, Makonnen Stampley) 16:09 remaining (shorthanded)
Lockport – Dawid Molek (unassisted) 10:31 remaining (shorthanded)
Morton – Luis Gonzalez (Max Aquino) 5:32 remaining (man advantage)