Torres leads St. Patrick past Maine South
Jr. forward's 2nd half brace gives Shamrocks 3-2 regional title win
By Mike Garofola
RIVER GROVE -- Joshua Torres' double -- including his sensational game-winner in the last five minutes -- kept St. Patrick's tournament hopes alive in dramatic fashion Monday night over a valiant Maine South squad.
The Shamrocks scoring leader drew his club back level after Hawks junior Matt Skorupa stunned the favorites early into the second half. Torres saved his best for last when it appeared the Lane Regional championship match was headed to overtime.
"That's why Josh is an all-state player," said St. Patrick manager Kyle McClure when asked about Torres' game-winner at 75 minutes in the Shamrocks 3-2 victory
"Because of our busy schedule these past few weeks, we've been resting certains players in advance of the start of the playoffs. Josh is one of those we've monitored minutes with," continued McClure.
"Because of the CTU strike, we've had (13) days off, so along with us giving guys rest, and the extra time away because of the strike, we're well-rested and ready to go. Tonight, you saw what fresh legs with a player like Josh can mean to a game."
This regional final was moved from original site Lane Stadium when it became clear the Indians would be unable to host due to the Chicago Teachers Union strike. It was a move the Shamrocks, ranked fourth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, gladly welcomed.
"(Triton) is so big, and it's a place where we feel like we can use our style and technical ability to our greatest advantage," said McClure minutes before kickoff.
At first glance, it appeared the spacious pitch here in River Grove would have been detrimental to the hopes of Maine South, which was asked to cover more space than it would have liked to.
"Our plan was always to pressure the ball," said Hawks manager Dan States, who managed the St. Patrick program from 1992-1999, during the glory years of the East Suburban Catholic Conference and its kingpins Benet, Carmel, St. Joseph and Saint Viator. "Pressure together and especially up-top, always looking to keep them from finding their rhythm and pace.
"The guys were terrific all-night long. Our work rate was sky high, and we made them play the way we wanted for nearly 80 minutes until no. 21 (Torres) a very special player, beat us."
States opened in a 4-5-1 with scoring leader Giuliano Corazzina the lone Hawk up-top and a midfield unit that ran, chased and won first and second balls with relentless vigor.
A poorly hit square ball in the Shamrocks end saw Corazzina jump all over the St. Patrick gift. If not for a late kick save by keeper Jorge Cebrero, the visitors would have grabbed an early lead just before the quarter hour.
Uncharacteristic giveaways by the home side in its own end was the norm during the first half hour. Three gave the Hawks the chance to counter to help keep the ball off the foot of Torres and slow the attack of he Shamrocks (22-2-3).
"Credit Dan, his guys played hard right from the opening whistle and forced us out of our game," said McClure. "We struggled for most of the first half to get ourselves off our heels."
Corazzina had his shot saved in the 29th minute. On the other end, Sebastian Estrada went wide after Torres and Sebastian Modrzejewski reversed the ball the other way in order to give their teammate his opportunity.
Jonathan Rodriguez, whose long throws have been a scoring weapon ever since he stepped into the Shamrocks program, was at it again when his long-range missile was met by Narcizo Ibarra inside the six-yard box.
The junior was the first to elevate in a crowd and was rewarded when he thumped the opener past Hawks keeper Luke Lorenc, who had no chance on the 34th-minute goal.
Maine South (13-7-1) junior John Cronnolly canceled the Ibarra goal moments later with a brilliant, bending free kick that nestled into the far inside post on a quick restart from along the endline.
The Cronnolly equalizer triggered a frantic finish to the first period. Lorenc turned away a wicked Torres attempt; then Corazzina coming this close to beating Cebrero after yet another careless ball played in the Shamrocks end.
The Shamrocks faithful howled in disbelief when they thought Hawks senior Weston Bukar hauled down Torres in the box. However, referee Chris Rudolph did not agree as he prepared to whistle the end of the first half.
"John's goal gave us energy and momentum heading into the break," said States, who soon saw his club go back in front just minutes after the intermission.
"We had a very slow start tonight," said Shamrocks four-year star, Aaron Moreno-Lopez. "Some of that was because Maine South was winning so many of the 50-50 balls and taking control of the midfield. Their constant pressure kept us from playing possession and combination soccer."
The Hawks created a corner at 45 minutes. Sixty seconds later they were out in front.
That's when the Shamrocks misjudged Cronnolly's hopeful service into the box and served up a terrific chance for the opportunistic Skorupa, who obliged.
"Maine South put a scare into us at that point, but it didn't come as a suprise to us because of the schedule they play, the conference they're in, and the close games they played with New Trier and Evanston," began McClure.
"But I also knew that if we kept going at them with our attack, the chances of them beginning to wear down might work in our favor later on. We kept the guys composed and under control after (they) went ahead, and it paid off later for us."
With its play brimming with confidence after the Skorupa goal and its gritty partnership of Sam McGinnis and Jackson Wambach continuing to win one tackle after another in the middle of the park, it began to feel as if the Hawks might spring a big surprise on the 3A state powerhouse.
"We doubled the ball really well tonight, and Sam and Jackson were so important in the midfield for us," States said. "So when Jackson went out with an injury we lost the ability to deny, pressure and control things in the middle."
However, the Shamrocks equalized from nothing just moments after McClure introduced Jake Lane into the contest.
The freshman immediately made his mark when he latched onto a ball from Jaden Buelvas, then quickly played to Torres to set him free. The forward used a burst of speed to get in on Lorenc and score his 32nd goal of the season.
"Lane has shown to be a player we can count on even though he's a freshman," said McClure. "And we have our deep bench. We were able to keep the offensive pressure on with fresh legs and pace before that goal, and right up until Josh scored his game-winner."
The next 5-7 minutes were now played with much more urgency. There were plenty of close-calls and St. Patrick felt another goal would come its way.
Torres, in particular, was playing like a man possessed. His drive to the endline was accomplished with pure trickery.
Once there, he whipped a perfectly weighted ball to an unmarked Sebastian Modrzejewski at the near post, who inexplicably sent his attempt just wide.
That 73rd-minute mishit was followed by another golden opportunity from Buelvas, who failed to finish another remarkable helper from Torres.
Torres' mazy run to split two defenders was complete when Moreno-Lopez provided a superb ball over the top. It fell onto the foot of Torres in full gallop before he put the eventual game-winner away with the touch of a jeweler.
"We've come to expect that type of play from Joshua," said Moreno-Lopez. "When we need him to do that, he always comes through."
Said Torres: "To be honest, it felt like our heads went down when they went up 2-1. But those of us who have been on this team were not ready to be done for the season. We kept attacking and putting pressure on them before they let down long enough for us to get back in it, then go ahead."
A look at the schedule told Maine South what to expect.
"We knew we would have to be at our best coming into this sectional because it was loaded, including a team like St. Patrick, who I felt we played about as well as we could," States said.
"I could not ask for more from the guys tonight. We outplayed them in the first half and played them even in the second half until we paid for a couple of mistakes.
"It's a great group of guys, who I have enjoyed being around this entire fall season. We can walk out of here knowing we gave 100 percent for 80 minutes against one of the best around."
McClure was obviously pleased with the effort and result from his club and not worried that one day later the Shamrocks would meet upset-minded 12th-seed Glenbrook North in the Glenbrook South Sectional semifinal.
"We've played several back-to-backs this year (five). Doing that should not phase us that much," McClure said. "Plus I think after getting a very difficult game out of our system, we should be ready to go."
McClure's men proved their manager correct when they cruised past the Spartans 7-3 and earn a chance to play third-seeded Evanston for the sectional title Friday.
Against Glenbrok North, Torres broke the program goal-scoring record set last season by Chris Modrzejewski when he bagged a hat-trick to give him 35.
Moreno-Lopez added two goals and assists, while four-year veteran LuisAngel Saucedo netted one and helped on another.
Starting lineups
Maine South (4-5-1)
G- Luke Lorenc
D- Charlie Ryan
D- Matt Skorupa
D- Konrad Kutrzuba
D- Milosz Dykiel
M- John Cronnolly
M- Sam McGinnis
M- Jackson Wambach
M- Stefan Iricanin
M- Weston Bahu
F- Giuliano Corazzina
St. Patrick (4-3-3)
G- Jorge Cebrero
D- Jonathan Rodriguez
D- Adam Przytula
D- Narcizo Ibarra
M- Sebastian Modrzejewski
M- Aaron Moreno-Lopez
M- Angel Adame
F- Luis Angel Saucedo
F- Joshua Torres
F- Sebastian Estrada
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Joshua Torres, jr., F, St. Patrick
John Cronnolly, jr., MF, Maine South
Referee: Chris Rudolph
Scoring summary
First half
St. Patrick: Ibarra (Rodriguez) 34'
Maine South: Cronnolly (free kick) 35'
Second half
Maine South: Skorupa (Cronnolly) 48'
St. Patrick: Torres (Lane, Rodriguez) 62'
St. Patrick: Torres (Moreno-Lopez) 75'
Jr. forward's 2nd half brace gives Shamrocks 3-2 regional title win
By Mike Garofola
RIVER GROVE -- Joshua Torres' double -- including his sensational game-winner in the last five minutes -- kept St. Patrick's tournament hopes alive in dramatic fashion Monday night over a valiant Maine South squad.
The Shamrocks scoring leader drew his club back level after Hawks junior Matt Skorupa stunned the favorites early into the second half. Torres saved his best for last when it appeared the Lane Regional championship match was headed to overtime.
"That's why Josh is an all-state player," said St. Patrick manager Kyle McClure when asked about Torres' game-winner at 75 minutes in the Shamrocks 3-2 victory
"Because of our busy schedule these past few weeks, we've been resting certains players in advance of the start of the playoffs. Josh is one of those we've monitored minutes with," continued McClure.
"Because of the CTU strike, we've had (13) days off, so along with us giving guys rest, and the extra time away because of the strike, we're well-rested and ready to go. Tonight, you saw what fresh legs with a player like Josh can mean to a game."
This regional final was moved from original site Lane Stadium when it became clear the Indians would be unable to host due to the Chicago Teachers Union strike. It was a move the Shamrocks, ranked fourth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, gladly welcomed.
"(Triton) is so big, and it's a place where we feel like we can use our style and technical ability to our greatest advantage," said McClure minutes before kickoff.
At first glance, it appeared the spacious pitch here in River Grove would have been detrimental to the hopes of Maine South, which was asked to cover more space than it would have liked to.
"Our plan was always to pressure the ball," said Hawks manager Dan States, who managed the St. Patrick program from 1992-1999, during the glory years of the East Suburban Catholic Conference and its kingpins Benet, Carmel, St. Joseph and Saint Viator. "Pressure together and especially up-top, always looking to keep them from finding their rhythm and pace.
"The guys were terrific all-night long. Our work rate was sky high, and we made them play the way we wanted for nearly 80 minutes until no. 21 (Torres) a very special player, beat us."
States opened in a 4-5-1 with scoring leader Giuliano Corazzina the lone Hawk up-top and a midfield unit that ran, chased and won first and second balls with relentless vigor.
A poorly hit square ball in the Shamrocks end saw Corazzina jump all over the St. Patrick gift. If not for a late kick save by keeper Jorge Cebrero, the visitors would have grabbed an early lead just before the quarter hour.
Uncharacteristic giveaways by the home side in its own end was the norm during the first half hour. Three gave the Hawks the chance to counter to help keep the ball off the foot of Torres and slow the attack of he Shamrocks (22-2-3).
"Credit Dan, his guys played hard right from the opening whistle and forced us out of our game," said McClure. "We struggled for most of the first half to get ourselves off our heels."
Corazzina had his shot saved in the 29th minute. On the other end, Sebastian Estrada went wide after Torres and Sebastian Modrzejewski reversed the ball the other way in order to give their teammate his opportunity.
Jonathan Rodriguez, whose long throws have been a scoring weapon ever since he stepped into the Shamrocks program, was at it again when his long-range missile was met by Narcizo Ibarra inside the six-yard box.
The junior was the first to elevate in a crowd and was rewarded when he thumped the opener past Hawks keeper Luke Lorenc, who had no chance on the 34th-minute goal.
Maine South (13-7-1) junior John Cronnolly canceled the Ibarra goal moments later with a brilliant, bending free kick that nestled into the far inside post on a quick restart from along the endline.
The Cronnolly equalizer triggered a frantic finish to the first period. Lorenc turned away a wicked Torres attempt; then Corazzina coming this close to beating Cebrero after yet another careless ball played in the Shamrocks end.
The Shamrocks faithful howled in disbelief when they thought Hawks senior Weston Bukar hauled down Torres in the box. However, referee Chris Rudolph did not agree as he prepared to whistle the end of the first half.
"John's goal gave us energy and momentum heading into the break," said States, who soon saw his club go back in front just minutes after the intermission.
"We had a very slow start tonight," said Shamrocks four-year star, Aaron Moreno-Lopez. "Some of that was because Maine South was winning so many of the 50-50 balls and taking control of the midfield. Their constant pressure kept us from playing possession and combination soccer."
The Hawks created a corner at 45 minutes. Sixty seconds later they were out in front.
That's when the Shamrocks misjudged Cronnolly's hopeful service into the box and served up a terrific chance for the opportunistic Skorupa, who obliged.
"Maine South put a scare into us at that point, but it didn't come as a suprise to us because of the schedule they play, the conference they're in, and the close games they played with New Trier and Evanston," began McClure.
"But I also knew that if we kept going at them with our attack, the chances of them beginning to wear down might work in our favor later on. We kept the guys composed and under control after (they) went ahead, and it paid off later for us."
With its play brimming with confidence after the Skorupa goal and its gritty partnership of Sam McGinnis and Jackson Wambach continuing to win one tackle after another in the middle of the park, it began to feel as if the Hawks might spring a big surprise on the 3A state powerhouse.
"We doubled the ball really well tonight, and Sam and Jackson were so important in the midfield for us," States said. "So when Jackson went out with an injury we lost the ability to deny, pressure and control things in the middle."
However, the Shamrocks equalized from nothing just moments after McClure introduced Jake Lane into the contest.
The freshman immediately made his mark when he latched onto a ball from Jaden Buelvas, then quickly played to Torres to set him free. The forward used a burst of speed to get in on Lorenc and score his 32nd goal of the season.
"Lane has shown to be a player we can count on even though he's a freshman," said McClure. "And we have our deep bench. We were able to keep the offensive pressure on with fresh legs and pace before that goal, and right up until Josh scored his game-winner."
The next 5-7 minutes were now played with much more urgency. There were plenty of close-calls and St. Patrick felt another goal would come its way.
Torres, in particular, was playing like a man possessed. His drive to the endline was accomplished with pure trickery.
Once there, he whipped a perfectly weighted ball to an unmarked Sebastian Modrzejewski at the near post, who inexplicably sent his attempt just wide.
That 73rd-minute mishit was followed by another golden opportunity from Buelvas, who failed to finish another remarkable helper from Torres.
Torres' mazy run to split two defenders was complete when Moreno-Lopez provided a superb ball over the top. It fell onto the foot of Torres in full gallop before he put the eventual game-winner away with the touch of a jeweler.
"We've come to expect that type of play from Joshua," said Moreno-Lopez. "When we need him to do that, he always comes through."
Said Torres: "To be honest, it felt like our heads went down when they went up 2-1. But those of us who have been on this team were not ready to be done for the season. We kept attacking and putting pressure on them before they let down long enough for us to get back in it, then go ahead."
A look at the schedule told Maine South what to expect.
"We knew we would have to be at our best coming into this sectional because it was loaded, including a team like St. Patrick, who I felt we played about as well as we could," States said.
"I could not ask for more from the guys tonight. We outplayed them in the first half and played them even in the second half until we paid for a couple of mistakes.
"It's a great group of guys, who I have enjoyed being around this entire fall season. We can walk out of here knowing we gave 100 percent for 80 minutes against one of the best around."
McClure was obviously pleased with the effort and result from his club and not worried that one day later the Shamrocks would meet upset-minded 12th-seed Glenbrook North in the Glenbrook South Sectional semifinal.
"We've played several back-to-backs this year (five). Doing that should not phase us that much," McClure said. "Plus I think after getting a very difficult game out of our system, we should be ready to go."
McClure's men proved their manager correct when they cruised past the Spartans 7-3 and earn a chance to play third-seeded Evanston for the sectional title Friday.
Against Glenbrok North, Torres broke the program goal-scoring record set last season by Chris Modrzejewski when he bagged a hat-trick to give him 35.
Moreno-Lopez added two goals and assists, while four-year veteran LuisAngel Saucedo netted one and helped on another.
Starting lineups
Maine South (4-5-1)
G- Luke Lorenc
D- Charlie Ryan
D- Matt Skorupa
D- Konrad Kutrzuba
D- Milosz Dykiel
M- John Cronnolly
M- Sam McGinnis
M- Jackson Wambach
M- Stefan Iricanin
M- Weston Bahu
F- Giuliano Corazzina
St. Patrick (4-3-3)
G- Jorge Cebrero
D- Jonathan Rodriguez
D- Adam Przytula
D- Narcizo Ibarra
M- Sebastian Modrzejewski
M- Aaron Moreno-Lopez
M- Angel Adame
F- Luis Angel Saucedo
F- Joshua Torres
F- Sebastian Estrada
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Joshua Torres, jr., F, St. Patrick
John Cronnolly, jr., MF, Maine South
Referee: Chris Rudolph
Scoring summary
First half
St. Patrick: Ibarra (Rodriguez) 34'
Maine South: Cronnolly (free kick) 35'
Second half
Maine South: Skorupa (Cronnolly) 48'
St. Patrick: Torres (Lane, Rodriguez) 62'
St. Patrick: Torres (Moreno-Lopez) 75'