Touch of Sanchez leads Solorio to title
97th-minute goal secures 1st city championship for Sun Warriors
By Patrick Z. McGavin
BRIDGEVIEW -- Alex Sanchez is too good to miss the same shot twice.
In the eighth minute, the Solorio junior Sanchez used his quickness to break free and close out what appeared to be a certain goal with just the keeper in his path.
He launched his shot at the top of the box and pushed the ball wide right. Sanchez was mystified, almost beside himself. The Sun Warriors forward is the most prolific scorer in the city. His accuracy has never been in doubt.
“Once I miss a couple, I usually tell myself that I cannot be doing this,” Sanchez said. “This is not how I play. I just had to redeem myself.”
Naturally he got his opportunity, and he propelled the Solorio into dramatic, uncharted territory.
Sanchez cut down the left flank and made a quick jitter step to the middle and blasted a ball inside the near post from 14 yards for the Sun Warriors’ 2-1 double overtime victory over Washington in the championship of the Chicago Public League city championship Thursday night at Toyota Park.
Midfield teammate ]Angel Nevarez facilitated the play by controlling a ball near midfield and delivered the perfect through-ball. It enabled Sanchez to use his blinding speed to run past the Washington defenders.
The game-winner came in the 97th minute as the prospect of penalty kicks loomed. Sanchez turned the game into his private reverie. He scored both goals in earning the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match prize.
Sanchez has now scored an astonishing 39 goals, averaging more than two per game for the Sun-Warriors (17-1-1).
The comeback victory made history on two fronts. Solorio captured the first city title in its history and the Sun Warriors deprived the Patriots of becoming the first city school in the modern era to win back-to-back city crowns.
“Once I got the ball, and I was going one-on-one with the keeper, I told myself that I needed to score,” Sanchez said. “You never know -- penalties, that’s a lottery.”
Sanchez was not exactly an unknown quantity coming into the year. He scored a team-best 23 goals in helping the Sun Warriors capture the Class AA state title. He scored two goals in the 6-0 state championship victory over Gibault.
He has elevated his game to the next level.
“I feel like as the years are progressing I am just getting better,” he said.
Sanchez combines quickness and a natural skill level with an intensity that makes him virtually impossible to stop. His penalty kick in the 61st minute set the stage for his heroics.
He also created the pressure that yielded the penalty kick. He drove hard down the right flank in his foray to the Washington goal and forced the Patriots’ keeper Eduardo Rodriguez to come off the line.
Rodriguez collided with Sanchez, resulting in the equalizer for the Sun Warriors. No longer restless or nerve wracked, Solorio settled into a more aggressive and comfortable offensive groove.
“I feel like after the goal we scored it gave the team more confidence,” Sanchez said.
Washington (12-4-1) defended its city title with honor. The Patriots dropped a 3-1 Premier South game to the Sun Warriors on Aug. 29th. This team is built to last, with speed at the top and a highly skilled middle.
After the early Sanchez shot went awry, Washington seized control. Off a free kick from about 30 yards on the right flank, midfielder Juan Antonio Garibay blasted a ball that Solorio keeper Joel Estrada made the initial stop on. The ball squeezed out and Juan Ramirez smashed home the rebound in the 12th minute for the Patriots’ advantage.
“They put a tricky ball into the box, get a rebound and score on a push back,” Solorio coach Adrian Calleros said. “At halftime, I told our players to keep their heads up. One goal is not going to win the game. There was still a lot of work to be done.”
Befitting the ambitions of this year’s tournament, with an expanded 32-team field and World Cup format, the title game served not just as an ideal platform for city soccer. It delivered on the pageantry. Solorio brought a band, and both teams had loud and passionate fans on view.
That backdrop proved both electrifying and daunting.
“At the end of the day, these kids are just 16, 17 or 18 years old,” Calleros said. “The emotions of playing in a stadium like this, a band, two big fan bases out there screaming were huge.”
The Washington advantage held up for nearly 50 minutes of game action. The Patriots utilized the big field to stretch out and break up the normally precise Solorio attack. Garibay and midfielder Felipe Ramirez kept the Sun Warriors off-balance, and explosive forward Angel Arismendiz continually sought to get behind the Sun Warriors’ back.
“At first, the nerves were kicking in for everyone and we were not playing how we usually do,” Solorio midfielder Jonathan Vasquez said. “We were keeping up, but we allowed a mistake in the back that was easy to correct. Everybody just started working together.
“It felt amazing to be here, the crowd, playing on this kind of field, the whole environment felt amazing. It’s a special moment for us, the school and everyone.”
As he has throughout the city tournament, senior forward Carlos Villa came off the bench. He played most of the game, fighting off a troublesome right knee. His customary smooth play allowed the Sun Warriors to get into a more cohesive offensive shape.
The developing pressure eventually created the penalty kick.
“We do our best in the wide-open spaces,” Washington coach Alvar Perez said. “Unfortunately that penalty kick did not go well. I just love these boys. I am so proud of our boys. Years ago this would have been unknown, the success we have had.
“This is the heart of the city. CPS is the heart of the city. We managed to be top notch. These boys, they have become fine examples for the rest of the city. It’s not about winning or losing. It’s about the game of life.”
The Washington players took the loss hard. Many were inconsolable. The Patriots made a major statement.
“Those kids come to play,” Calleros said. “They are a great program, a great bunch of kids. Those are kids from my neighborhood. I am familiar with a lot of them. It’s bittersweet when we win. I am a Southeast Sider, and I feel for them.
“It’s great accomplishment for our kids.”
Starting lineups
Washington
GK: Eduardo Rodriguez
D: Jose Gonzalez
D: Joel Sevilla
D: Juan Vega
D: Juan Ramirez
MF: Felipe Ramirez
MF: Juan Antonio Garibay
MF: Rafael De Santiago
MF: Adrian Yanez
F: Juan Landeros
F: Angel Arismendiz
Solorio--
GK: Joel Estrada
D: Kevin Patino
D: Brian Marin
D: Edgar Torres
D: Omar Salgado
MF: Rafael Soto
MF: Donovan Dorantes
MF: David Gamez
MF: Angel Nevarez
F: Jonathan Vasquez
F: Alex Sanchez
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Alex Sanchez, jr., F, Solorio
Scoring summary
First half
Washington—Juan Ramirez (Juan Antonio Garibay), 12th minute
Second half
Solorio—Alex Sanchez (penalty kick), 61st
First overtime
None
Second overtime
Solorio—Sanchez (Angel Nevarez), 97th minute
97th-minute goal secures 1st city championship for Sun Warriors
By Patrick Z. McGavin
BRIDGEVIEW -- Alex Sanchez is too good to miss the same shot twice.
In the eighth minute, the Solorio junior Sanchez used his quickness to break free and close out what appeared to be a certain goal with just the keeper in his path.
He launched his shot at the top of the box and pushed the ball wide right. Sanchez was mystified, almost beside himself. The Sun Warriors forward is the most prolific scorer in the city. His accuracy has never been in doubt.
“Once I miss a couple, I usually tell myself that I cannot be doing this,” Sanchez said. “This is not how I play. I just had to redeem myself.”
Naturally he got his opportunity, and he propelled the Solorio into dramatic, uncharted territory.
Sanchez cut down the left flank and made a quick jitter step to the middle and blasted a ball inside the near post from 14 yards for the Sun Warriors’ 2-1 double overtime victory over Washington in the championship of the Chicago Public League city championship Thursday night at Toyota Park.
Midfield teammate ]Angel Nevarez facilitated the play by controlling a ball near midfield and delivered the perfect through-ball. It enabled Sanchez to use his blinding speed to run past the Washington defenders.
The game-winner came in the 97th minute as the prospect of penalty kicks loomed. Sanchez turned the game into his private reverie. He scored both goals in earning the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match prize.
Sanchez has now scored an astonishing 39 goals, averaging more than two per game for the Sun-Warriors (17-1-1).
The comeback victory made history on two fronts. Solorio captured the first city title in its history and the Sun Warriors deprived the Patriots of becoming the first city school in the modern era to win back-to-back city crowns.
“Once I got the ball, and I was going one-on-one with the keeper, I told myself that I needed to score,” Sanchez said. “You never know -- penalties, that’s a lottery.”
Sanchez was not exactly an unknown quantity coming into the year. He scored a team-best 23 goals in helping the Sun Warriors capture the Class AA state title. He scored two goals in the 6-0 state championship victory over Gibault.
He has elevated his game to the next level.
“I feel like as the years are progressing I am just getting better,” he said.
Sanchez combines quickness and a natural skill level with an intensity that makes him virtually impossible to stop. His penalty kick in the 61st minute set the stage for his heroics.
He also created the pressure that yielded the penalty kick. He drove hard down the right flank in his foray to the Washington goal and forced the Patriots’ keeper Eduardo Rodriguez to come off the line.
Rodriguez collided with Sanchez, resulting in the equalizer for the Sun Warriors. No longer restless or nerve wracked, Solorio settled into a more aggressive and comfortable offensive groove.
“I feel like after the goal we scored it gave the team more confidence,” Sanchez said.
Washington (12-4-1) defended its city title with honor. The Patriots dropped a 3-1 Premier South game to the Sun Warriors on Aug. 29th. This team is built to last, with speed at the top and a highly skilled middle.
After the early Sanchez shot went awry, Washington seized control. Off a free kick from about 30 yards on the right flank, midfielder Juan Antonio Garibay blasted a ball that Solorio keeper Joel Estrada made the initial stop on. The ball squeezed out and Juan Ramirez smashed home the rebound in the 12th minute for the Patriots’ advantage.
“They put a tricky ball into the box, get a rebound and score on a push back,” Solorio coach Adrian Calleros said. “At halftime, I told our players to keep their heads up. One goal is not going to win the game. There was still a lot of work to be done.”
Befitting the ambitions of this year’s tournament, with an expanded 32-team field and World Cup format, the title game served not just as an ideal platform for city soccer. It delivered on the pageantry. Solorio brought a band, and both teams had loud and passionate fans on view.
That backdrop proved both electrifying and daunting.
“At the end of the day, these kids are just 16, 17 or 18 years old,” Calleros said. “The emotions of playing in a stadium like this, a band, two big fan bases out there screaming were huge.”
The Washington advantage held up for nearly 50 minutes of game action. The Patriots utilized the big field to stretch out and break up the normally precise Solorio attack. Garibay and midfielder Felipe Ramirez kept the Sun Warriors off-balance, and explosive forward Angel Arismendiz continually sought to get behind the Sun Warriors’ back.
“At first, the nerves were kicking in for everyone and we were not playing how we usually do,” Solorio midfielder Jonathan Vasquez said. “We were keeping up, but we allowed a mistake in the back that was easy to correct. Everybody just started working together.
“It felt amazing to be here, the crowd, playing on this kind of field, the whole environment felt amazing. It’s a special moment for us, the school and everyone.”
As he has throughout the city tournament, senior forward Carlos Villa came off the bench. He played most of the game, fighting off a troublesome right knee. His customary smooth play allowed the Sun Warriors to get into a more cohesive offensive shape.
The developing pressure eventually created the penalty kick.
“We do our best in the wide-open spaces,” Washington coach Alvar Perez said. “Unfortunately that penalty kick did not go well. I just love these boys. I am so proud of our boys. Years ago this would have been unknown, the success we have had.
“This is the heart of the city. CPS is the heart of the city. We managed to be top notch. These boys, they have become fine examples for the rest of the city. It’s not about winning or losing. It’s about the game of life.”
The Washington players took the loss hard. Many were inconsolable. The Patriots made a major statement.
“Those kids come to play,” Calleros said. “They are a great program, a great bunch of kids. Those are kids from my neighborhood. I am familiar with a lot of them. It’s bittersweet when we win. I am a Southeast Sider, and I feel for them.
“It’s great accomplishment for our kids.”
Starting lineups
Washington
GK: Eduardo Rodriguez
D: Jose Gonzalez
D: Joel Sevilla
D: Juan Vega
D: Juan Ramirez
MF: Felipe Ramirez
MF: Juan Antonio Garibay
MF: Rafael De Santiago
MF: Adrian Yanez
F: Juan Landeros
F: Angel Arismendiz
Solorio--
GK: Joel Estrada
D: Kevin Patino
D: Brian Marin
D: Edgar Torres
D: Omar Salgado
MF: Rafael Soto
MF: Donovan Dorantes
MF: David Gamez
MF: Angel Nevarez
F: Jonathan Vasquez
F: Alex Sanchez
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Alex Sanchez, jr., F, Solorio
Scoring summary
First half
Washington—Juan Ramirez (Juan Antonio Garibay), 12th minute
Second half
Solorio—Alex Sanchez (penalty kick), 61st
First overtime
None
Second overtime
Solorio—Sanchez (Angel Nevarez), 97th minute