Buelvas finds zone,
leads St. Patrick over Glenbrook South
St. Patrick junior tallies Wolter Titan Invitational title winner
By Patrick Z. McGavin
GLENVIEW — The rise of St. Patrick as an elite program has not always been linear or progressed in a logical order.
The Titan Invitational has been Exhibit A.
The Shamrocks have been on the verge of winning the tournament only to watch actions or events go sideways.
Last year was an excruciating moment the players reflected on.
“We were in the same position,” senior midfielder Jonathan Rodriguez said. “We ended up scoring two goals in the first half, and everybody was excited. Then in the second half we choked it away, and they scored three against us.
“We remembered that game.”
Jump ahead a year, and the title was a mirror reflection: same teams, same field.
Jaden Buelvas was determined not to forget. He was ready to make the moment matter. He broke free on the right wing after a beautiful through-ball by Joshua Torres in the 64th minute. His decision was calm and decisive.
“I had to just make a quick move,” he said. “Their keeper gave me two seconds to let me think about how much time I had, and from there I had to just go for the best opportunity.”
Driving hard he drilled an 18-yard sidewinder with authority that determined the mo. 6 Shamrocks’ 1-0 victory over Glenbrook South in the JIm Wolter Titan Invitational championship Saturday.
Glenbrook South keeper Christian Noordover was exceptional throughout the match, making two highlight reel stops of Torres in each half, one time denying a sharp volley with his left foot.
Buelvas was cognizant of his brilliant play.
“I thought his foot was going to get the ball,” he said. “I had to keep my composure, because it was a one-on-one situation, and I could not let the team down.”
For his accomplishments, Jaden Buelvas earned the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match distinction.
St. Patrick (6-0-1) won for the fourth time in the last five days. Their flexibility and dangerous scoring opportunities wore down the Titans.
“I think they have exceptionally good offensive execution through every aspect of their game,” Glenbrook South coach Reggie Lara said. “I went with my starters for a long time, and we might have been pushing up so far, being eager to put in one of the back of the net, that we were susceptible to the counter.
“Hats off to them. They are a very good team. One chance, one goal at that time, and that was all it took.”
The Titans (3-1-2) went down swinging. The tournament format was adjusted to two 35-minute halves -- just over six minutes remained following the Shamrocks’ goal.
Midfielder Arturo Moyo blasted a rocket ball from the left wing from about 16 yards that Shamrocks’ keeper Jorge Cabrero made a diving stop on. Midfielder Jhovany Guadarrama also generated credible pressure in the closing moments.
Lanky and angular St. Patrick defender Adam Przytula also made a great clearance that deprived forward Sam Rogers a dangerous chance from the right wing.
The Shamrocks lethal and diversified offense generates the copy. The defense is rapidly improved. With three in the back, Przytula solidifies the middle and works in sharp tandem with Narcizo Ibarra and Collin Kroeger.
“Essentially most teams like to play the ball up, so I always have one of the defenders [Ibarra and Kroeger] step with the striker, depending on how the team plays,” Przytula said.
“Then anything that goes up or over, I just try to sweep it up, and we just go from there. We try to keep the ball on the other team’s half as much as possible, and it generally works for us.”
The invitational is a crucial early staging ground. Glenbrook South made a compelling statement.
“We have a lot to be proud of,” Lara said. “All eight teams that came into this tournament were undefeated. To come out and play in the championship game and lose to the no. 6 ranked team in the state in the final couple of minutes is a great achievement for us.
“We are happy about it.”
St. Patrick controlled the pace and possession. Glenbrook South found its spots. During one frenetic second half sequence, midfielder Julian Issar effectively created a one-man counter, forcing a turnover and pushing the ball deep into the Shamrocks’ final third.
Fouled from behind as he made his foray to the goal, the resulting free kick sailed just above the bar. It illustrated the tenacity and drive of the Titans.
“I definitely think we played hard. They played hard, and it was a battle until the very end,” Issar said. “They got one opportunity, and they buried it, but I don’t think they necessarily they were the better team.
“I think we played very hard, and it just came down until the end, and I am very proud of how our team played.”
Winning is important. Playing purposeful and sharp soccer is the objective. The wins naturally follow.
“I think this game today shows we could play against anybody,” Issar said. “If we play our best and go hard in every tackle we can beat anybody. I think that’s what people should notice and be prepared against. Come the sectional finals, if we are up against them, we are going to bring it against them again.”
St. Patrick is a marvel to watch offensively, the connecting threads fused together so potently. The ball moves quickly and generously from one end to the other and the team plays at a high tempo and pace.
“The first week of the season, we struggled a little bit,” Rodriguez said. “Now this second week, we did really well. Everybody started to communicate better, and we all started to pass it around.
“The whole team just played really well.”
What also stood out are the subtleties and diversity of their style. Rodriguez, for instance, has developed a dangerous ability on throw-ins and set pieces. Torres is also very skilled as a corner specialist.
The middle of the attack with Angel Adame and Sebastian Modrzejewski is dazzling with the patterns and arabesques achieving an order and power.
“Games like this are when you really see that come out, showing composure and not panicking and trusting in the game plan,” St. Patrick coach Kyle McClure said.
“I thought we showed that today. They are a very good team, a very tough game. We knew this was an important game, for seeding implications.”
After playing Mundelein to a draw in the opening of group play, Glenbrook South found its identity and edge. Lara said the excellent showing underscores the deep promise of this particular collection of players.
The early season is always a time for experimenting with changes and formations. The best players are always malleable and open. Lara said this group is very coachable and dynamic.
“I am really happy that we were able to play guys at new positions, trying them out and playing around with our starting lineup in the championship game and see that we could be a very competitive team,” he said.
“I am happy with the result. The second place medal is going to serve as a motivation to them in realizing they are going to have to try harder. We haven’t done anything yet. I think going into conference, playing the way we are capable of, we are a dangerous team in every aspect of the game, defensively and going through the middle and our forward attack.
“We want to have confidence while still being humble enough to understand that we have to come into every single day as though we have something to accomplish and constantly get better.”
Starting lineups
St. Patrick
GK: Jorge Cabrero
D: Narcizo Ibarra
D: Adam Przytula
D: Collin Kroeger
MF: Angel Adams
MF: Sebastian Modrzejewski
MF: Jonthan Rodriguez
MF: Aaron Moreno-Lopez
F: Jaden Buelvas
F: LuisAngel Saucedo
F: Joshua Torres
Glenbrook South
GK: Christian Noordover
D: Ryan Batka
D: Michael Zenzola
D: Drew Maytum
MF: Jose Santos-DeSoto
MF: Arturo Moyo
MF: Jhovany Guadarrama
MF: Julian Issar
F: Danny Sergiev
F: Zach Ochab
F: Justin Leszynski
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Jonathan Buelvas, jr., F, St. Patrick
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
St. Patrick—Jonathan Buelvas (Joshua Torres), 64th minute
leads St. Patrick over Glenbrook South
St. Patrick junior tallies Wolter Titan Invitational title winner
By Patrick Z. McGavin
GLENVIEW — The rise of St. Patrick as an elite program has not always been linear or progressed in a logical order.
The Titan Invitational has been Exhibit A.
The Shamrocks have been on the verge of winning the tournament only to watch actions or events go sideways.
Last year was an excruciating moment the players reflected on.
“We were in the same position,” senior midfielder Jonathan Rodriguez said. “We ended up scoring two goals in the first half, and everybody was excited. Then in the second half we choked it away, and they scored three against us.
“We remembered that game.”
Jump ahead a year, and the title was a mirror reflection: same teams, same field.
Jaden Buelvas was determined not to forget. He was ready to make the moment matter. He broke free on the right wing after a beautiful through-ball by Joshua Torres in the 64th minute. His decision was calm and decisive.
“I had to just make a quick move,” he said. “Their keeper gave me two seconds to let me think about how much time I had, and from there I had to just go for the best opportunity.”
Driving hard he drilled an 18-yard sidewinder with authority that determined the mo. 6 Shamrocks’ 1-0 victory over Glenbrook South in the JIm Wolter Titan Invitational championship Saturday.
Glenbrook South keeper Christian Noordover was exceptional throughout the match, making two highlight reel stops of Torres in each half, one time denying a sharp volley with his left foot.
Buelvas was cognizant of his brilliant play.
“I thought his foot was going to get the ball,” he said. “I had to keep my composure, because it was a one-on-one situation, and I could not let the team down.”
For his accomplishments, Jaden Buelvas earned the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match distinction.
St. Patrick (6-0-1) won for the fourth time in the last five days. Their flexibility and dangerous scoring opportunities wore down the Titans.
“I think they have exceptionally good offensive execution through every aspect of their game,” Glenbrook South coach Reggie Lara said. “I went with my starters for a long time, and we might have been pushing up so far, being eager to put in one of the back of the net, that we were susceptible to the counter.
“Hats off to them. They are a very good team. One chance, one goal at that time, and that was all it took.”
The Titans (3-1-2) went down swinging. The tournament format was adjusted to two 35-minute halves -- just over six minutes remained following the Shamrocks’ goal.
Midfielder Arturo Moyo blasted a rocket ball from the left wing from about 16 yards that Shamrocks’ keeper Jorge Cabrero made a diving stop on. Midfielder Jhovany Guadarrama also generated credible pressure in the closing moments.
Lanky and angular St. Patrick defender Adam Przytula also made a great clearance that deprived forward Sam Rogers a dangerous chance from the right wing.
The Shamrocks lethal and diversified offense generates the copy. The defense is rapidly improved. With three in the back, Przytula solidifies the middle and works in sharp tandem with Narcizo Ibarra and Collin Kroeger.
“Essentially most teams like to play the ball up, so I always have one of the defenders [Ibarra and Kroeger] step with the striker, depending on how the team plays,” Przytula said.
“Then anything that goes up or over, I just try to sweep it up, and we just go from there. We try to keep the ball on the other team’s half as much as possible, and it generally works for us.”
The invitational is a crucial early staging ground. Glenbrook South made a compelling statement.
“We have a lot to be proud of,” Lara said. “All eight teams that came into this tournament were undefeated. To come out and play in the championship game and lose to the no. 6 ranked team in the state in the final couple of minutes is a great achievement for us.
“We are happy about it.”
St. Patrick controlled the pace and possession. Glenbrook South found its spots. During one frenetic second half sequence, midfielder Julian Issar effectively created a one-man counter, forcing a turnover and pushing the ball deep into the Shamrocks’ final third.
Fouled from behind as he made his foray to the goal, the resulting free kick sailed just above the bar. It illustrated the tenacity and drive of the Titans.
“I definitely think we played hard. They played hard, and it was a battle until the very end,” Issar said. “They got one opportunity, and they buried it, but I don’t think they necessarily they were the better team.
“I think we played very hard, and it just came down until the end, and I am very proud of how our team played.”
Winning is important. Playing purposeful and sharp soccer is the objective. The wins naturally follow.
“I think this game today shows we could play against anybody,” Issar said. “If we play our best and go hard in every tackle we can beat anybody. I think that’s what people should notice and be prepared against. Come the sectional finals, if we are up against them, we are going to bring it against them again.”
St. Patrick is a marvel to watch offensively, the connecting threads fused together so potently. The ball moves quickly and generously from one end to the other and the team plays at a high tempo and pace.
“The first week of the season, we struggled a little bit,” Rodriguez said. “Now this second week, we did really well. Everybody started to communicate better, and we all started to pass it around.
“The whole team just played really well.”
What also stood out are the subtleties and diversity of their style. Rodriguez, for instance, has developed a dangerous ability on throw-ins and set pieces. Torres is also very skilled as a corner specialist.
The middle of the attack with Angel Adame and Sebastian Modrzejewski is dazzling with the patterns and arabesques achieving an order and power.
“Games like this are when you really see that come out, showing composure and not panicking and trusting in the game plan,” St. Patrick coach Kyle McClure said.
“I thought we showed that today. They are a very good team, a very tough game. We knew this was an important game, for seeding implications.”
After playing Mundelein to a draw in the opening of group play, Glenbrook South found its identity and edge. Lara said the excellent showing underscores the deep promise of this particular collection of players.
The early season is always a time for experimenting with changes and formations. The best players are always malleable and open. Lara said this group is very coachable and dynamic.
“I am really happy that we were able to play guys at new positions, trying them out and playing around with our starting lineup in the championship game and see that we could be a very competitive team,” he said.
“I am happy with the result. The second place medal is going to serve as a motivation to them in realizing they are going to have to try harder. We haven’t done anything yet. I think going into conference, playing the way we are capable of, we are a dangerous team in every aspect of the game, defensively and going through the middle and our forward attack.
“We want to have confidence while still being humble enough to understand that we have to come into every single day as though we have something to accomplish and constantly get better.”
Starting lineups
St. Patrick
GK: Jorge Cabrero
D: Narcizo Ibarra
D: Adam Przytula
D: Collin Kroeger
MF: Angel Adams
MF: Sebastian Modrzejewski
MF: Jonthan Rodriguez
MF: Aaron Moreno-Lopez
F: Jaden Buelvas
F: LuisAngel Saucedo
F: Joshua Torres
Glenbrook South
GK: Christian Noordover
D: Ryan Batka
D: Michael Zenzola
D: Drew Maytum
MF: Jose Santos-DeSoto
MF: Arturo Moyo
MF: Jhovany Guadarrama
MF: Julian Issar
F: Danny Sergiev
F: Zach Ochab
F: Justin Leszynski
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Jonathan Buelvas, jr., F, St. Patrick
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
St. Patrick—Jonathan Buelvas (Joshua Torres), 64th minute