100 minutes can't separate
Barrington, Rolling Meadows
Mustangs' Orozco makes 18 saves to earn MSL road point
By Mike Garofola
Barrington -- Before Tuesday's Rolling Meadows and Barrington contest at Barrington Community Stadium, the two Mid-Suburban League powers had conceded a paltry seven goals combined on the season combined and just three in league play.
So, it was no surprise the goals would be the scarcest commodity in the heavyweight clash that went 100 minutes with neither side finding the back of the net.
MSL table-topper Rolling Meadows (10-0-1, 5-0-1), ranked fifth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, remained undefeated following this result. The Huskies remained clear of both Hersey and Prospect in the tight MSL East race. Barrington (7-1-2, 4-0-2) endured its second-consecutive draw to fall behind MSL West leader Fremd 15-14 in points with the Vikings having a game in hand.
"We obviously didn’t come here looking to come away with one point, but we certainly can live with a 0-0 draw," said Mustangs manager, Brett Olson, whose club defended with all it might before a big youth crowd that featured players from both Barrington Area Soccer Association and FCX, which many players from the Broncos varsity roster have or continue to play for.
"We played well enough to take home three points. (Barrington) played very well also. In the end, it was a fair result," said senior Gage Lockley, who shared the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honor along with Barrington’s Jeremiah Gascho for their impressive work in the center of the park.
There was plenty of up-beat tempo and an incredible speed of play in this contest. Much of it came from the no. 20 Broncos, who showed its intent early with some marvelous possession and high-percentage passing.
"I was proud of the boys," began Broncos assistant Joe Zimka, who filled in for longtime manager Scott Steib.
"In the first half we were not playing 'our' game -- playing deep balls and not getting on the receiving end.
"(We) discussed at the half about slowing the game down, possess more through the middle and playing direct.
"I feel like we did that in the second half, which helped us move the ball quicker and better."
Rolling Meadows keeper Ramon Orozco earned plenty of praise after that game from Zimka, who starred in goal at Jacobs High School before moving on to do the same at Northern Illinois. Orozco was forced into action at eight minutes and then then 60 seconds later.
The senior denied Michael Vitale's header off a Gascho deep throw and then stopped Kyle Wanca's attempt from in-close.
"Barrington put pressure on us at different times in the game (because) of the way they possessed the ball and with their quick ball movement," said Orozco. “The guys in front of me did a great job all night to make sure to keep their chances further out, instead of in-close.”
The senior was quick to mention center backs Aidan O'Brien and Ethan Kossack, who formed an air-tight partnership, and outside backs Luke Bieda, and Alex Puciaty.
"Ramon certainly had a big night with his 18 saves and smart positioning, which allowed him to make most of his saves without too much movement," began Olson.
"Aidan and Ethan battled all night long both fighting a few bumps and bruises from the past. Guys like Alex have stepped into roles, when opportunities have come forward due to a variety of injuries, to make a huge impact for us."
O'Brien was on the injured list and did not play in any of the three games one week ago.
"(They) defended really well as a team. But they really sat at times, especially in overtime, which made me feel like they were playing for the draw," said Broncos junior Mathew Klujian.
With Klujian at left outside back and Ryan Chung on the right, the terrific two-some provided excellent service, first-rate defending and well-timed and designed runs to add numbers to the Broncos attack.
"We knocked the ball around real well and kept it for most of the night," said Klujian. “We executed our game plan like we wanted to (but) just weren't sharp enough in the final third to put one into the back of the net.”
The visitors slowly got into the game. At the quarter hour at the tail end of a nicely played counter between Joe Salemi and Wilson Espino, Rolling Meadows forced Klujian to parry a dangerous ball out of the Broncos box.
The Mustangs were forced to soak up a lot of pressure from the home side. The pace of Jack Peterson, David Gomez, Frankie Caballero and Gascho insured plenty of one-way Barrington.
Rolling Meadows had its moments. An early ball from Brayan Botello sent Lockley through, and although the Mustangs tri-captain brought the offsides flag up from the assistant referee, it was clear the Lockley and his mates could test and stretch their opponent when the time was right.
"We showed we could be dangerous. In fact, I thought we created a couple of quality chances throughout the night. We just couldn't find our way to getting a goal," said Lockley, who attended camps during the offseason in hopes of drawing the attention of collegiate coaches in the Midwest, where he hopes to play next fall.
"We were in a 4-2-3-1 (which) is a formation we use quite a bit. Joe (Salemi), Oscar (Chlopek), Brian Diaz and myself work real well together, communicate with each other and do what it takes to make the formation work."
The two sides traded chances during the final quarter hour of the first period -- Kyle Horak, Lexi Salazar and Gascho for the Broncos Lockley and Espino for the visitors.
The best chance after the break fell to Gomez, whose 25-yard cracker was turned away by Orozco in the 55th minute.
Barrington’s alert Chung moved quickly when sensing trouble in the Broncos box and cleared a ball which spilled in the direction of the ever-opportunistic Lockley.
Rolling Meadows’ O'Brien was helped off following this sequence but returned soon thereafter.
"We've been fighting injuries lately,” Orozco said. “Tonight we had some guys cramping up later in the game, but we battled through it as we have all year thanks to our deep bench which has stepped up big time when we've needed them."
When 80 minutes could not produce a goal - this thriller went into the first of two sudden-death periods. Barrington’s Wanca came close to ending this contest but his close-range header was saved by Orozco.
A long, searing throw from Kossack forced Broncos keeper Alex Hackney off his line to challenge Lockley, who was in the area ready to pounce.
Klujian's superb back-post serve found Wanca, who watched his header stopped by Orozco whose quick decision-making and feet allowed him to be in position to save the potential game-winner at 93 minutes.
"We forced a lot of long balls into the box tonight, which made it easy for their keeper, and backline to control," said Klujian. :What we needed to do was get more balls in close to the 18 to really challenge their keeper, who played a good game for them.”
"I feel like we made good tactical decisions tonight,” said Zimka. “ (We) created chances on our set pieces and had a lot of shots from deep but were unable to penetrate to get shots on frame from close range.
"I was proud of the boys, many of whom played nearly 100 minutes.
"I know the guys were bummed about the result, but it was an exhausting, hard-fought game. When it ended, you saw players on both sides fall to their knees at the final whistle, which showed just how much they care and how hard they all played."
Barrington travelled Thursday to Hersey, which is breathing down the necks of Olson’s Mustangs.
"We knew coming in this would be a defensive, hard-fought battle,” Olson said. “We knew they liked to build from the back. For us, we were just trying to limit their options as they came forward.
"Alex (Puciaty) has been huge at right back the last few matches coming off the bench due to injuries as did Ethan (Kossack) when he took over after Diego Tapia was injured during our game against Crystal Lake South (Sept. 6).
"Our backline has been terrific. They have worked hard to get that way and much of the credit goes to our assistant Jamie Clemmons, who has done an incredible job with those guys.
"He handles everything with our defense and keepers, keeping them sharp and always organized and ready for each game. Those guys have really taken to Jamie, and what he has to say."
"We play with a lot of heart, and passion. Olson tells us (this) team continues to make history each time out," said Lockley, who Rolling Meadows record start to a season.
“But we have to remember to continue to keep the pedal down, so we can make our mark on Mustangs soccer.”
Lockley and his mates welcomed Prospect on Thursday evening in the second match of a three-game stretch, which ends Tuesday with Hersey.
Starting lineups
Rolling Meadows (4-2-3-1)
G: Ramon Orozco
D: Luke Bieda
D- Aidan O'Brien
D- Ethan Kossack
D- Alex Puciaty
M- Andrew Flores
M- Joe Salemi
M- Gage Lockley
M- Brian Diaz
M: Ben Gligor
F: Wilson Espino
Barrington (4-4-2)
G- Alex Hackney
D- Mathew Klujian
D- Kyle Wanca
D- Matthew Christensen
D- Ryan Chang
M- Frankie Caballero
M- Jeremiah Gascho
M- David Gomez
M- Kieren Londergan
F- Jack Peterson
F- Philip Jackowski
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match:
Jeremiah Gascho, jr., MF, Barrington;
Gage Lockley, sr., MF, Rolling Meadows
Referee
Joe Skoja
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
No scoring
First overtime
No scoring
Second overtime
No scoring
Barrington, Rolling Meadows
Mustangs' Orozco makes 18 saves to earn MSL road point
By Mike Garofola
Barrington -- Before Tuesday's Rolling Meadows and Barrington contest at Barrington Community Stadium, the two Mid-Suburban League powers had conceded a paltry seven goals combined on the season combined and just three in league play.
So, it was no surprise the goals would be the scarcest commodity in the heavyweight clash that went 100 minutes with neither side finding the back of the net.
MSL table-topper Rolling Meadows (10-0-1, 5-0-1), ranked fifth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, remained undefeated following this result. The Huskies remained clear of both Hersey and Prospect in the tight MSL East race. Barrington (7-1-2, 4-0-2) endured its second-consecutive draw to fall behind MSL West leader Fremd 15-14 in points with the Vikings having a game in hand.
"We obviously didn’t come here looking to come away with one point, but we certainly can live with a 0-0 draw," said Mustangs manager, Brett Olson, whose club defended with all it might before a big youth crowd that featured players from both Barrington Area Soccer Association and FCX, which many players from the Broncos varsity roster have or continue to play for.
"We played well enough to take home three points. (Barrington) played very well also. In the end, it was a fair result," said senior Gage Lockley, who shared the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honor along with Barrington’s Jeremiah Gascho for their impressive work in the center of the park.
There was plenty of up-beat tempo and an incredible speed of play in this contest. Much of it came from the no. 20 Broncos, who showed its intent early with some marvelous possession and high-percentage passing.
"I was proud of the boys," began Broncos assistant Joe Zimka, who filled in for longtime manager Scott Steib.
"In the first half we were not playing 'our' game -- playing deep balls and not getting on the receiving end.
"(We) discussed at the half about slowing the game down, possess more through the middle and playing direct.
"I feel like we did that in the second half, which helped us move the ball quicker and better."
Rolling Meadows keeper Ramon Orozco earned plenty of praise after that game from Zimka, who starred in goal at Jacobs High School before moving on to do the same at Northern Illinois. Orozco was forced into action at eight minutes and then then 60 seconds later.
The senior denied Michael Vitale's header off a Gascho deep throw and then stopped Kyle Wanca's attempt from in-close.
"Barrington put pressure on us at different times in the game (because) of the way they possessed the ball and with their quick ball movement," said Orozco. “The guys in front of me did a great job all night to make sure to keep their chances further out, instead of in-close.”
The senior was quick to mention center backs Aidan O'Brien and Ethan Kossack, who formed an air-tight partnership, and outside backs Luke Bieda, and Alex Puciaty.
"Ramon certainly had a big night with his 18 saves and smart positioning, which allowed him to make most of his saves without too much movement," began Olson.
"Aidan and Ethan battled all night long both fighting a few bumps and bruises from the past. Guys like Alex have stepped into roles, when opportunities have come forward due to a variety of injuries, to make a huge impact for us."
O'Brien was on the injured list and did not play in any of the three games one week ago.
"(They) defended really well as a team. But they really sat at times, especially in overtime, which made me feel like they were playing for the draw," said Broncos junior Mathew Klujian.
With Klujian at left outside back and Ryan Chung on the right, the terrific two-some provided excellent service, first-rate defending and well-timed and designed runs to add numbers to the Broncos attack.
"We knocked the ball around real well and kept it for most of the night," said Klujian. “We executed our game plan like we wanted to (but) just weren't sharp enough in the final third to put one into the back of the net.”
The visitors slowly got into the game. At the quarter hour at the tail end of a nicely played counter between Joe Salemi and Wilson Espino, Rolling Meadows forced Klujian to parry a dangerous ball out of the Broncos box.
The Mustangs were forced to soak up a lot of pressure from the home side. The pace of Jack Peterson, David Gomez, Frankie Caballero and Gascho insured plenty of one-way Barrington.
Rolling Meadows had its moments. An early ball from Brayan Botello sent Lockley through, and although the Mustangs tri-captain brought the offsides flag up from the assistant referee, it was clear the Lockley and his mates could test and stretch their opponent when the time was right.
"We showed we could be dangerous. In fact, I thought we created a couple of quality chances throughout the night. We just couldn't find our way to getting a goal," said Lockley, who attended camps during the offseason in hopes of drawing the attention of collegiate coaches in the Midwest, where he hopes to play next fall.
"We were in a 4-2-3-1 (which) is a formation we use quite a bit. Joe (Salemi), Oscar (Chlopek), Brian Diaz and myself work real well together, communicate with each other and do what it takes to make the formation work."
The two sides traded chances during the final quarter hour of the first period -- Kyle Horak, Lexi Salazar and Gascho for the Broncos Lockley and Espino for the visitors.
The best chance after the break fell to Gomez, whose 25-yard cracker was turned away by Orozco in the 55th minute.
Barrington’s alert Chung moved quickly when sensing trouble in the Broncos box and cleared a ball which spilled in the direction of the ever-opportunistic Lockley.
Rolling Meadows’ O'Brien was helped off following this sequence but returned soon thereafter.
"We've been fighting injuries lately,” Orozco said. “Tonight we had some guys cramping up later in the game, but we battled through it as we have all year thanks to our deep bench which has stepped up big time when we've needed them."
When 80 minutes could not produce a goal - this thriller went into the first of two sudden-death periods. Barrington’s Wanca came close to ending this contest but his close-range header was saved by Orozco.
A long, searing throw from Kossack forced Broncos keeper Alex Hackney off his line to challenge Lockley, who was in the area ready to pounce.
Klujian's superb back-post serve found Wanca, who watched his header stopped by Orozco whose quick decision-making and feet allowed him to be in position to save the potential game-winner at 93 minutes.
"We forced a lot of long balls into the box tonight, which made it easy for their keeper, and backline to control," said Klujian. :What we needed to do was get more balls in close to the 18 to really challenge their keeper, who played a good game for them.”
"I feel like we made good tactical decisions tonight,” said Zimka. “ (We) created chances on our set pieces and had a lot of shots from deep but were unable to penetrate to get shots on frame from close range.
"I was proud of the boys, many of whom played nearly 100 minutes.
"I know the guys were bummed about the result, but it was an exhausting, hard-fought game. When it ended, you saw players on both sides fall to their knees at the final whistle, which showed just how much they care and how hard they all played."
Barrington travelled Thursday to Hersey, which is breathing down the necks of Olson’s Mustangs.
"We knew coming in this would be a defensive, hard-fought battle,” Olson said. “We knew they liked to build from the back. For us, we were just trying to limit their options as they came forward.
"Alex (Puciaty) has been huge at right back the last few matches coming off the bench due to injuries as did Ethan (Kossack) when he took over after Diego Tapia was injured during our game against Crystal Lake South (Sept. 6).
"Our backline has been terrific. They have worked hard to get that way and much of the credit goes to our assistant Jamie Clemmons, who has done an incredible job with those guys.
"He handles everything with our defense and keepers, keeping them sharp and always organized and ready for each game. Those guys have really taken to Jamie, and what he has to say."
"We play with a lot of heart, and passion. Olson tells us (this) team continues to make history each time out," said Lockley, who Rolling Meadows record start to a season.
“But we have to remember to continue to keep the pedal down, so we can make our mark on Mustangs soccer.”
Lockley and his mates welcomed Prospect on Thursday evening in the second match of a three-game stretch, which ends Tuesday with Hersey.
Starting lineups
Rolling Meadows (4-2-3-1)
G: Ramon Orozco
D: Luke Bieda
D- Aidan O'Brien
D- Ethan Kossack
D- Alex Puciaty
M- Andrew Flores
M- Joe Salemi
M- Gage Lockley
M- Brian Diaz
M: Ben Gligor
F: Wilson Espino
Barrington (4-4-2)
G- Alex Hackney
D- Mathew Klujian
D- Kyle Wanca
D- Matthew Christensen
D- Ryan Chang
M- Frankie Caballero
M- Jeremiah Gascho
M- David Gomez
M- Kieren Londergan
F- Jack Peterson
F- Philip Jackowski
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match:
Jeremiah Gascho, jr., MF, Barrington;
Gage Lockley, sr., MF, Rolling Meadows
Referee
Joe Skoja
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
No scoring
First overtime
No scoring
Second overtime
No scoring