GBS overcomes St. Patrick's early cushion
Issar, McMahon help lead Titans to repeat Wolter championship
By Mike Garofola
GLENVIEW -- Second half goals from Justin Leszynski, Julian Issar and Jimmy McMahon earned Glenbrook South a memorable comeback victory against St. Patrick and gave the host school the claim to the top prize at the 33rd annual Jim Wolter Titan Invitational.
The 3-2 victory at John Davis Stadium was no easy task as Reggie Lara's men absorbed all sorts of pressure and plenty of one-way attacking pressure from the Shamrocks who opened on their front foot and never let up until the first period was whistled complete.
"For everything we did so poorly in that first half, we turned it around in the second half and did just about everything really well," said Lara, whose club swept through pool play with a trio of clean sheets.
"Our defense was very impressive all throughout the tournament, that's how you win games and tournaments," continued Lara.
McMahon earned tournament MVP honors for Glenbrook South (4-0-1).
"Gavin (Morse) and Kyle (Barda) were great today," McMahon said. "They've been that way in every game thus far, and it's been a big reason for our success."
St. Patrick (5-1-0) was full of attacking vim from the onset and showed why its goal differential in its pool group was plus-9 (11-2).
"It wasn't enough to play as well as we did for just one half of soccer, because we learned today it has to be a full 80 minutes in order to win games like this," said a disappointed Diego Rivera, St. Patrick's fine backliner, who also wears the captains armband for manager Kyle McClure.
"Last year when we were a AA team (most) of our opponents would have folded up the tent when they were chasing two goals, but today was a perfect example of what things will be like when we're playing quality (3A) competition.
"This is what we'll see when the postseason comes around, so for us to go through a tough loss like this one, we'll all benefit from this result."
With the weather forecast bleak, tournament officials shortened this final to a 60-minute affair. Still, it wasn't long before this contest experienced controversy.
Two minutes after the opening whistle, st. Patrick's Sebastian Modrzejewski sent Joshua Torres through up the center channel, setting the ultra-talented sophomore free and towards goal.
The Shamrocks bench howled in disapproval when a Titans player had such a hold on the shirt of Torres that he was unable to continue into the box for a potential 1-v.-1 encounter with Glenbrook South keeper Ethan Dill.
The referee recognized the obvious foul but did not issue a yellow card booking, much to the dismay of McClure.
"Had to be at least a yellow, if not a red," suggested McClure.
When play resumed, Jonathan Rodriguez fired his free kick into the Titans wall, then watched Dill turn away a pair of attempts from his mates resulting in corners.
Glenbrook South defended both cleanly, then held its collective breath when the crafty Torres split the Glenbrook South area wide open, allowing Luis Saucedo, Aaron Moreno-Lopez and Rodriguez to create another free kick opportunity.
Moreno-Lopez' bending beauty to the back post was directed into the back of the net with authority by Torres to give the Shamrocks the final;s first goal at 15 minutes.
It was St. Patrick's midfield, in particular, which impressed Lara most during this first period. The Titans manager was 'wowed' by the work, on and off of the ball, by Moreno-Lopez, Angel Adame and Modrzejewski.
"I'm not sure we'll see a team with so much technical ability, and one with so many potential college players, such as we saw today; (plus) a midfield led by no. 23 (Moreno-Lopez) who knew how and when to push the attack," said Lara, whose tactical change at the intermisson would be a key decision in the eventual outcome.
The Shamrocks continued to enjoy most of the possession after its quarter hour success and forced the Titans to sit deep to defend the advances of their guests.
Torres fired a warning shot on frame for Dill to save then saw a pair of chances abruptly stopped by strong tackles from Morse and then Barda.
Energized, and feeling that they had another goal or two in them, an Adam Przytula free kick serve found Rodriguez, who quickly put a lovely ball to Torres.
If not for a courageous challenge off his line from Dill, the Shamrocks Torres would have had a clear path to goal.
The Titans keeper could do nothing minutes later when Modrzejewski doubled the advantage with a brilliant half volley from 16 yards after the junior strolled into an open seam to finish what Adame and Moreno-Lopez started.
"When we look back, we should have finished one or two of our chances which may have closed them out for good," said McClure. "But give Reggie's guys credit, they came out in that second half and really played a great 30 minutes of soccer."
When Leszynski skimmed the bar with the Titans best chance of the first period, it may have signaled the start of an extraordinary fight back for the home side.
"Those last 2-3 minutes of the first half, we finally came alive, and after our halftime talk and a few adjustments, we came out and played the way I know we can," said Lara.
"We struggled all throughout the first half with Pat's three guys in the middle against our two, so we went with a 4-3-3 after the break. "It was the reason we came back to win," added McMahon.
Rain greeted both clubs when the second half began, and a Leszynski strike just sixty seconds after the whistle sent the Shamrocks reeling.
"Pulling that first goal back so soon was huge," began McMahon.
"We went down 2-0 to Palatine in our season-opener and came back to earn a 2-2 result. I knew there was no quit in this team."
Leszynski was left unmarked, and the big sophomore made the Shamrocks pay for it.
Issar showed majestic vision and finishing skill when he was allowed time and space to tee-up his long-range blast that found its way into the back of the net to draw the Titans back level just eight minutes into the second half.
"Just a great goal from Julian," was all Lara could say afterwards.
The equalizer immediately increased the intensity, energy and urgency from both clubs -- with it came a bit of chippy play and a booking or two for unsporting behavior and dangerous tackles.
With order restored from these cards, both sides continued their searches for the go-ahead goal. It was McMahon, nine minutes from time, who found it.
The Shamrocks argued the call that gave McMahon a free kick. The Titans star cast a pall over the St. Patrick's bench bit sent his into orbit when his venomous left-footed blast from 30 yards went in.
"We weren't all together happy about a couple of calls today, but the fact remains (Glenbrook South) outplayed us in the second half," said McClure.
"They're a classy team, well-coached, and they play with a lot of confidence. They stayed composed in those final minutes when we really came after them, looking to find another goal."
"We have to learn to keep our emotions in check all throughout the game," said Rivera. "In games like this one, and later in the playoffs, it will be important for us."
The Shamrocks scheduled game Tuesday against Juarez was postponed due to field issues. St. Patrick plays its PepsiCo Showdown opener Saturday.
After concluding the celebration from its second-consecutive home tourney win, Glenbrook South welcomes Central Suburban League cross-over foe Highland Park at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
Starting lineups
St. Patrick (4-3-3)
GK- Jorge Cebrero
D- Jonathan Rodriguez
D- Juan Leon
D- Adam Przytula
D- Diego Rivera
M- Aaron Moreno-Lopez
M- Angel Adame
M- Sebastian Modrzejewski
F- Joshua Torres
F- Luis Saucedo
F- Herbert Carrera
Glenbrook South (4-4-2)
GK- Ethan Dill
D- Will Debes
D- Kyle Barda
D- Gavin Morse
D- Michael Zenzola
M- Jhovany Guadarrama
M- Tengis Purevrentsen
M- Julian Issar
M- Matthew Ruth
F- Jimmy McMahon
F- Justin Leszynski
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Gavin Morse, sr., D, Glenbrook South
Julian Issar, jr., MF, Glenbrook South
Referee: Mike Moore
Scoring Summary
First half
SP: Torres (Moreno-Lopez) 15'
SP: Modrzejewski (Adame, Moreno-Lopez) 25'
Second half
GBS: J. Leszynski (McMahon) 31'
GBS: Issar (U/A) 38'
GBS: McMahon (FK) 51'
Issar, McMahon help lead Titans to repeat Wolter championship
By Mike Garofola
GLENVIEW -- Second half goals from Justin Leszynski, Julian Issar and Jimmy McMahon earned Glenbrook South a memorable comeback victory against St. Patrick and gave the host school the claim to the top prize at the 33rd annual Jim Wolter Titan Invitational.
The 3-2 victory at John Davis Stadium was no easy task as Reggie Lara's men absorbed all sorts of pressure and plenty of one-way attacking pressure from the Shamrocks who opened on their front foot and never let up until the first period was whistled complete.
"For everything we did so poorly in that first half, we turned it around in the second half and did just about everything really well," said Lara, whose club swept through pool play with a trio of clean sheets.
"Our defense was very impressive all throughout the tournament, that's how you win games and tournaments," continued Lara.
McMahon earned tournament MVP honors for Glenbrook South (4-0-1).
"Gavin (Morse) and Kyle (Barda) were great today," McMahon said. "They've been that way in every game thus far, and it's been a big reason for our success."
St. Patrick (5-1-0) was full of attacking vim from the onset and showed why its goal differential in its pool group was plus-9 (11-2).
"It wasn't enough to play as well as we did for just one half of soccer, because we learned today it has to be a full 80 minutes in order to win games like this," said a disappointed Diego Rivera, St. Patrick's fine backliner, who also wears the captains armband for manager Kyle McClure.
"Last year when we were a AA team (most) of our opponents would have folded up the tent when they were chasing two goals, but today was a perfect example of what things will be like when we're playing quality (3A) competition.
"This is what we'll see when the postseason comes around, so for us to go through a tough loss like this one, we'll all benefit from this result."
With the weather forecast bleak, tournament officials shortened this final to a 60-minute affair. Still, it wasn't long before this contest experienced controversy.
Two minutes after the opening whistle, st. Patrick's Sebastian Modrzejewski sent Joshua Torres through up the center channel, setting the ultra-talented sophomore free and towards goal.
The Shamrocks bench howled in disapproval when a Titans player had such a hold on the shirt of Torres that he was unable to continue into the box for a potential 1-v.-1 encounter with Glenbrook South keeper Ethan Dill.
The referee recognized the obvious foul but did not issue a yellow card booking, much to the dismay of McClure.
"Had to be at least a yellow, if not a red," suggested McClure.
When play resumed, Jonathan Rodriguez fired his free kick into the Titans wall, then watched Dill turn away a pair of attempts from his mates resulting in corners.
Glenbrook South defended both cleanly, then held its collective breath when the crafty Torres split the Glenbrook South area wide open, allowing Luis Saucedo, Aaron Moreno-Lopez and Rodriguez to create another free kick opportunity.
Moreno-Lopez' bending beauty to the back post was directed into the back of the net with authority by Torres to give the Shamrocks the final;s first goal at 15 minutes.
It was St. Patrick's midfield, in particular, which impressed Lara most during this first period. The Titans manager was 'wowed' by the work, on and off of the ball, by Moreno-Lopez, Angel Adame and Modrzejewski.
"I'm not sure we'll see a team with so much technical ability, and one with so many potential college players, such as we saw today; (plus) a midfield led by no. 23 (Moreno-Lopez) who knew how and when to push the attack," said Lara, whose tactical change at the intermisson would be a key decision in the eventual outcome.
The Shamrocks continued to enjoy most of the possession after its quarter hour success and forced the Titans to sit deep to defend the advances of their guests.
Torres fired a warning shot on frame for Dill to save then saw a pair of chances abruptly stopped by strong tackles from Morse and then Barda.
Energized, and feeling that they had another goal or two in them, an Adam Przytula free kick serve found Rodriguez, who quickly put a lovely ball to Torres.
If not for a courageous challenge off his line from Dill, the Shamrocks Torres would have had a clear path to goal.
The Titans keeper could do nothing minutes later when Modrzejewski doubled the advantage with a brilliant half volley from 16 yards after the junior strolled into an open seam to finish what Adame and Moreno-Lopez started.
"When we look back, we should have finished one or two of our chances which may have closed them out for good," said McClure. "But give Reggie's guys credit, they came out in that second half and really played a great 30 minutes of soccer."
When Leszynski skimmed the bar with the Titans best chance of the first period, it may have signaled the start of an extraordinary fight back for the home side.
"Those last 2-3 minutes of the first half, we finally came alive, and after our halftime talk and a few adjustments, we came out and played the way I know we can," said Lara.
"We struggled all throughout the first half with Pat's three guys in the middle against our two, so we went with a 4-3-3 after the break. "It was the reason we came back to win," added McMahon.
Rain greeted both clubs when the second half began, and a Leszynski strike just sixty seconds after the whistle sent the Shamrocks reeling.
"Pulling that first goal back so soon was huge," began McMahon.
"We went down 2-0 to Palatine in our season-opener and came back to earn a 2-2 result. I knew there was no quit in this team."
Leszynski was left unmarked, and the big sophomore made the Shamrocks pay for it.
Issar showed majestic vision and finishing skill when he was allowed time and space to tee-up his long-range blast that found its way into the back of the net to draw the Titans back level just eight minutes into the second half.
"Just a great goal from Julian," was all Lara could say afterwards.
The equalizer immediately increased the intensity, energy and urgency from both clubs -- with it came a bit of chippy play and a booking or two for unsporting behavior and dangerous tackles.
With order restored from these cards, both sides continued their searches for the go-ahead goal. It was McMahon, nine minutes from time, who found it.
The Shamrocks argued the call that gave McMahon a free kick. The Titans star cast a pall over the St. Patrick's bench bit sent his into orbit when his venomous left-footed blast from 30 yards went in.
"We weren't all together happy about a couple of calls today, but the fact remains (Glenbrook South) outplayed us in the second half," said McClure.
"They're a classy team, well-coached, and they play with a lot of confidence. They stayed composed in those final minutes when we really came after them, looking to find another goal."
"We have to learn to keep our emotions in check all throughout the game," said Rivera. "In games like this one, and later in the playoffs, it will be important for us."
The Shamrocks scheduled game Tuesday against Juarez was postponed due to field issues. St. Patrick plays its PepsiCo Showdown opener Saturday.
After concluding the celebration from its second-consecutive home tourney win, Glenbrook South welcomes Central Suburban League cross-over foe Highland Park at 7 p.m. on Tuesday.
Starting lineups
St. Patrick (4-3-3)
GK- Jorge Cebrero
D- Jonathan Rodriguez
D- Juan Leon
D- Adam Przytula
D- Diego Rivera
M- Aaron Moreno-Lopez
M- Angel Adame
M- Sebastian Modrzejewski
F- Joshua Torres
F- Luis Saucedo
F- Herbert Carrera
Glenbrook South (4-4-2)
GK- Ethan Dill
D- Will Debes
D- Kyle Barda
D- Gavin Morse
D- Michael Zenzola
M- Jhovany Guadarrama
M- Tengis Purevrentsen
M- Julian Issar
M- Matthew Ruth
F- Jimmy McMahon
F- Justin Leszynski
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Gavin Morse, sr., D, Glenbrook South
Julian Issar, jr., MF, Glenbrook South
Referee: Mike Moore
Scoring Summary
First half
SP: Torres (Moreno-Lopez) 15'
SP: Modrzejewski (Adame, Moreno-Lopez) 25'
Second half
GBS: J. Leszynski (McMahon) 31'
GBS: Issar (U/A) 38'
GBS: McMahon (FK) 51'