St. Patrick's Parra hard to
miss in win over WWS
Soph collects goal, assist in 4-1 decision
By Bobby Narang
SCHAUMBURG — To those outside of the St. Patrick soccer circle, Jorge Parra can be a hard player to spot on the field.
With the Shamrocks sophomore's solid ball skills, eye for anticipation and next-level talent that shouldn't be the case.
The cause is a name-recognition issue -- the back of Parra’s jersey spells out a different name but holds a heartwarming family story.
With the approval of his coaches, Parra dons a jersey with the name “Aurelio” on the back to honor his late grandfather, Nestor Aurelio Parra.
So when looking at a roster or on the field, it’s often confusing to those unfamiliar with Parra or the Shamrocks.
But the midfielder's rapidly evolving play is certainly eye-catching and helpful for St. Patrick’s chances for a successful season and playoff journey.
On Saturday, Parra scored a goal and tallied an assist in a 4-1 victory over Wheaton Warrenville South in the first day of the PepsiCo Showdown at Olympic Park.
Parra said he plays with a purpose every game to honor his late grandfather.
“My grandpa always supported me," he said. “I’m wearing the jersey for him every game. He means a lot and was always supporting me when I was little and growing up. He passed away, but I wanted to play with his name on my back and do the best I could to represent him. That's also my middle name.”
So far, so good in Parra's young career.
The Shamrocks (3-4-0) scored two goals in each half. Four different players tallied a goal to dominate the depleted Tigers (2-2-2). The Shamrocks took control of the match with two goals in the opening eight minutes.
“We pressured them … getting the two goals right away at the beginning,” St. Patrick coach Melchor Castro said. “I think we let off little bit toward the end of the first half. That was our halftime speech, just not to let off.
“(Wheaton Warrenville South) gained a little confidence after scoring their first goal. We just had to continue the pressure and not let them back in the game. We didn't want to give them any confidence.
“We’re a very young team. It’s good to see the variety of goal scorers from different angles, and guys coming in and doing their jobs.”
St. Patrick benefitted from the absence of several key Tigers players who missed the game due to SAT testing or injuries.
Parra easily netted a penalty kick in the fifth minute for a 1-0 lead. It was his third goal of the season.
“That was important, because it gave us a lot of life and momentum to play the game,” Parra said. “We have a lot of potential. If we play together and put our individual talent together we can do some good things.”
Three minutes later, senior midfielder Ben Elvira stunned Wheaton Warrenville South. A shot that ricocheted off a defender set up his goal from 17 yards to give the Shamrock’s a quick two-spot lead.
“Our coach said they were coming in a little down with players, so we should pressure them right away, and that’s what happened,” Elvira said. "Jorge shot the ball, and I came in with the volley, and it stunned them.
‘It felt really good, because I started the season as a defender. Our coach thought I played best out top. So coach knows best and the team started scoring a lot of goals, and I've stayed there. It’s a great feeling.”
Elvira said his first goal of the season, and second of his career might keep some of his teammates off his back.
“All throughout high school, my coach put me up-top,” he said. “So this is something new, and something I like.
"I feel like at the start I wasn’t as good. But as games go on, I’ve got the hang of it. Hopefully I can rack up some more goals. My teammates have been bashing me a little, playing striker. They expect me to score a lot of goals. It was fun to finally rub their faces in it a bit.”
Wheaton Warrenville South came up empty on two close shots early in the match. Senior midfielder Gabe Waszak slowed down St. Patrick’s momentum with a goal in the 15th minute.
“I was able to finish it by hitting it to the far post off a deflection,” Waszak said. “I was glad to score my first goal of the season. We needed it, because we didn't come out ready to play, especially for a big game like this.
“Some of our guys were just not energized, and we have to get there. After those first two goals, we didn’t get much else. We lost all the momentum, felt like we lost before we even started.”
St. Patrick tacked on two late goals after the Tigers brought one of their defenders up to spark their offense. Sophomore midfielder Rafael Rios and Conor Day capped off the victory with goals.
Day said his second goal of the season was special since he suffered an injury earlier in the game.
“My coach put me back in after I got injured," Day said. “I saw the space, pointed and just saw what I wanted and played it and got a good touch. It was a beautiful pass.
“Everyone on our team is extremely talented, and we play well together and work well together as a team. Our scoring is very diverse. Anyone on our team can score.”
Wheaton Warrenville South freshman goalie Jared Ferreya was busy all afternoon, picking up 12 saves.
Wheaton Warrenville South coach Guy Callipari said his team had to adjust to a new lineup, but that’s nothing new for his program.
“We’ve had a very different lineup every game,” Callipari said. “This is life; kids are going to come and go. We're sitting well in terms of our depth. A lot of guys are getting a chance to play. We have three games in four days.
“This was good for Jared. It’s about getting experience, when to go and when not to go and when you rule the box and when you let your defenders rule the box. It’s about communication.
“It's unfortunate we didn’t clear well today, and a penalty kick came from it.”
Wheaton Warrenville South defender Nikhil Bawa said the Tigers had a few mental lapses early in the game that hurt them.
“We had some guys missing, and that hurt,” Bawa said. “We conceded two goals early and couldn’t come back. It was tough getting energy.”
Starting lineups
St. Patrick
GK Bryant Alvarez
D Gael Quinonez
D Xavier Gamez
D Nicolas Leon
D Rafael Ramirez
M Conor Day
M Ivan Guerrero
M Jorge Parra
M Rafael Rios
F Nathan Davila
F Ben Elvira
Wheaton Warrenville South
GK Jared Ferreya
D Jerry Cuatzo
D Nikhil Bawa
D Andrew Walker
D Patrick Brocious
M Chase Kedzior
M Gabe Waszak
M Edgar Guzman
M Tim Foley
F Issa Husseini
F Jason Weisheit
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Jorge Parra, so., MF, St. Patrick
Scoring summary
First half
St. Patrick — Jorge Parra (penalty kick) 5th minute
St. Patrick — Ben Elvira (Jorge Parra), 8th minute
Wheaton Warrenville South — Gabe Waszak (Issa Husseini) 15th minute
Second half
St. Patrick — Rafael Rios (Day) 65th minute
St. Patrick — Conor Day (Ivan Guerrero) 68th minute
miss in win over WWS
Soph collects goal, assist in 4-1 decision
By Bobby Narang
SCHAUMBURG — To those outside of the St. Patrick soccer circle, Jorge Parra can be a hard player to spot on the field.
With the Shamrocks sophomore's solid ball skills, eye for anticipation and next-level talent that shouldn't be the case.
The cause is a name-recognition issue -- the back of Parra’s jersey spells out a different name but holds a heartwarming family story.
With the approval of his coaches, Parra dons a jersey with the name “Aurelio” on the back to honor his late grandfather, Nestor Aurelio Parra.
So when looking at a roster or on the field, it’s often confusing to those unfamiliar with Parra or the Shamrocks.
But the midfielder's rapidly evolving play is certainly eye-catching and helpful for St. Patrick’s chances for a successful season and playoff journey.
On Saturday, Parra scored a goal and tallied an assist in a 4-1 victory over Wheaton Warrenville South in the first day of the PepsiCo Showdown at Olympic Park.
Parra said he plays with a purpose every game to honor his late grandfather.
“My grandpa always supported me," he said. “I’m wearing the jersey for him every game. He means a lot and was always supporting me when I was little and growing up. He passed away, but I wanted to play with his name on my back and do the best I could to represent him. That's also my middle name.”
So far, so good in Parra's young career.
The Shamrocks (3-4-0) scored two goals in each half. Four different players tallied a goal to dominate the depleted Tigers (2-2-2). The Shamrocks took control of the match with two goals in the opening eight minutes.
“We pressured them … getting the two goals right away at the beginning,” St. Patrick coach Melchor Castro said. “I think we let off little bit toward the end of the first half. That was our halftime speech, just not to let off.
“(Wheaton Warrenville South) gained a little confidence after scoring their first goal. We just had to continue the pressure and not let them back in the game. We didn't want to give them any confidence.
“We’re a very young team. It’s good to see the variety of goal scorers from different angles, and guys coming in and doing their jobs.”
St. Patrick benefitted from the absence of several key Tigers players who missed the game due to SAT testing or injuries.
Parra easily netted a penalty kick in the fifth minute for a 1-0 lead. It was his third goal of the season.
“That was important, because it gave us a lot of life and momentum to play the game,” Parra said. “We have a lot of potential. If we play together and put our individual talent together we can do some good things.”
Three minutes later, senior midfielder Ben Elvira stunned Wheaton Warrenville South. A shot that ricocheted off a defender set up his goal from 17 yards to give the Shamrock’s a quick two-spot lead.
“Our coach said they were coming in a little down with players, so we should pressure them right away, and that’s what happened,” Elvira said. "Jorge shot the ball, and I came in with the volley, and it stunned them.
‘It felt really good, because I started the season as a defender. Our coach thought I played best out top. So coach knows best and the team started scoring a lot of goals, and I've stayed there. It’s a great feeling.”
Elvira said his first goal of the season, and second of his career might keep some of his teammates off his back.
“All throughout high school, my coach put me up-top,” he said. “So this is something new, and something I like.
"I feel like at the start I wasn’t as good. But as games go on, I’ve got the hang of it. Hopefully I can rack up some more goals. My teammates have been bashing me a little, playing striker. They expect me to score a lot of goals. It was fun to finally rub their faces in it a bit.”
Wheaton Warrenville South came up empty on two close shots early in the match. Senior midfielder Gabe Waszak slowed down St. Patrick’s momentum with a goal in the 15th minute.
“I was able to finish it by hitting it to the far post off a deflection,” Waszak said. “I was glad to score my first goal of the season. We needed it, because we didn't come out ready to play, especially for a big game like this.
“Some of our guys were just not energized, and we have to get there. After those first two goals, we didn’t get much else. We lost all the momentum, felt like we lost before we even started.”
St. Patrick tacked on two late goals after the Tigers brought one of their defenders up to spark their offense. Sophomore midfielder Rafael Rios and Conor Day capped off the victory with goals.
Day said his second goal of the season was special since he suffered an injury earlier in the game.
“My coach put me back in after I got injured," Day said. “I saw the space, pointed and just saw what I wanted and played it and got a good touch. It was a beautiful pass.
“Everyone on our team is extremely talented, and we play well together and work well together as a team. Our scoring is very diverse. Anyone on our team can score.”
Wheaton Warrenville South freshman goalie Jared Ferreya was busy all afternoon, picking up 12 saves.
Wheaton Warrenville South coach Guy Callipari said his team had to adjust to a new lineup, but that’s nothing new for his program.
“We’ve had a very different lineup every game,” Callipari said. “This is life; kids are going to come and go. We're sitting well in terms of our depth. A lot of guys are getting a chance to play. We have three games in four days.
“This was good for Jared. It’s about getting experience, when to go and when not to go and when you rule the box and when you let your defenders rule the box. It’s about communication.
“It's unfortunate we didn’t clear well today, and a penalty kick came from it.”
Wheaton Warrenville South defender Nikhil Bawa said the Tigers had a few mental lapses early in the game that hurt them.
“We had some guys missing, and that hurt,” Bawa said. “We conceded two goals early and couldn’t come back. It was tough getting energy.”
Starting lineups
St. Patrick
GK Bryant Alvarez
D Gael Quinonez
D Xavier Gamez
D Nicolas Leon
D Rafael Ramirez
M Conor Day
M Ivan Guerrero
M Jorge Parra
M Rafael Rios
F Nathan Davila
F Ben Elvira
Wheaton Warrenville South
GK Jared Ferreya
D Jerry Cuatzo
D Nikhil Bawa
D Andrew Walker
D Patrick Brocious
M Chase Kedzior
M Gabe Waszak
M Edgar Guzman
M Tim Foley
F Issa Husseini
F Jason Weisheit
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Jorge Parra, so., MF, St. Patrick
Scoring summary
First half
St. Patrick — Jorge Parra (penalty kick) 5th minute
St. Patrick — Ben Elvira (Jorge Parra), 8th minute
Wheaton Warrenville South — Gabe Waszak (Issa Husseini) 15th minute
Second half
St. Patrick — Rafael Rios (Day) 65th minute
St. Patrick — Conor Day (Ivan Guerrero) 68th minute