Streamwood flashes all-around game
versus Waubonsie Valley
Sabres take down DuPage Valley foe, eye rematch with Elgin
By Bobby Narang
STREAMWOOD —- Streamwood’s A.J. Sabanovic was happy to pass out some postgame treats on Thursday night.
The sophomore forward gladly offered his healthy post-game snack — Cutie’s mandarin oranges — to anybody near him following a 3-0 home nonconference victory over Waubonsie Valley at Millennium Field.
As he munched on his final few orange-colored delights, Sabanovic joked he was also happy to contribute to the victory with a goal.
And he was just as happy to silence his father.
Sabanovic scored the Sabres’ second goal of the game, prompting a certain family member to yell out “Finally!” from the stands.
Like his teammates, Sabanovic admitted he was a bit frustrated at the slow start by the Sabres despite an extraordinary amount of shots — many of which were deflected by Waubonsie Valley’s strong and athletic backline.
“That was my dad, yelling out ‘Finally!’” Sabanovic said of the aftermath of his ninth goal of the season. “I had some good (shots) in the game. In the first half, I had one that came off the goalie, and he double-saved it. Then, in the second half, I had a ball in the box that went over, and I didn’t get there in time.
“It felt good to score. I saw the ball, especially after a teammate missed it. I was right there and hit it top right. It felt good, especially not giving up after some close ones.”
The Sabres (7-4-2) continued their solid play following a 2-1 morning setback to undefeated Elgin (10-0-3) in the semifinals of their Streamwood Fall Classic on Sept. 17 The Maroons jumped from 14th to no. 2 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top after taking the tourney title. They beat current no. 22 Lockport 1-0 in the final that afternoon.
Streamwood topped Glenbard South 4-0 Wednesday to remain undefeated in Upstate Eight Conference play.
Sabres coach Matt Polovin said his team is finally at full strength and now showing their potential. He praised his backline and junior goalie Jason Ramirez for sparking the back-to-back shutouts. Ramirez recorded a clean-sheet and finished with a clean jersey. He had one save against the Warriors (6-8-1) and did not need a stop against Glenbard South, according to Polovin.
“What makes me the happiest in these last two games is … Jason hasn’t had to really put the ball in his heads unless there’s a corner kick,” Polovin said.
“Yesterday the only time he touched the ball was with his feet, when we played it back to him. The defense is really stepping up these last couple of games.
“Having everyone back is key. Since the first game of the season, it’s always been a different group of guys. We had a guy out with a card, another with an injury or sickness. When we have everyone back and healthy, we’re definitely a dangerous team.”
Polovin said the key will be maintaining that energy and playing quality defense in a rematch at Elgin on Sept. 26.
“Elgin is having a great season,” Polovin said. “We were missing two of our better players. We came up short. It’s going to be a really good game on Monday. It’s a conference game. We want to win a conference championship, we have to win these games.”
Waubonsie Valley coach Jose Garcia credited the Sabres’ talented group of midfielders and forwards for a solid game. He said his players struggled keeping up with the speedy Sabres on the turf field.
“I think there’s a big factor when we play on grass and turf,” Garcia said. “We’re a grass team, and even train on grass. We haven’t played on turf in a week and a half.
“It changes the game completely. I think that was a big factor today. We have to get our feet back on turf. We’ve been lucky this year that we have had a lot of home games. We have to be prepared for anything because the pace of the game completely changes with turf.
“Defensively, we’ve been playing really well. We’re strong … in the back. It’s a matter if we can get that same dynamic to the midfielders and forwards. I think we’re capable of doing it. It’s going to be a matter of organizing ourselves in the middle and up-top. I think we’ll eventually get it.”
On a chilly fall-like late afternoon just hours before official start of autumn, Streamwood wasted little time attacking the Warriors’ net. Michael Garcia and Alex Bernal both had close attempts in the 11th minute. Senior Hugo Marquez blasted a shot off the back of a Warriors’ defender. Alex Alcala misfired wide on a close shot, and Garcia made two nifty moves before having his shot deflected late in the first half.
After more than 50 minutes, the Sabres finally ended their scoring drought. Bryan Huerta received a pass from Carlos Suarez, dribbled through a pair of defenders and drilled a shot from 13 yards into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead with 29:22 left in the second half.
“I saw the angle and space I had, so I just shot it,” Huerta said. “I took the strike, and it went in. It felt good, because we were lacking and not able to put the ball in.
“That’s soccer. You have to put in one shot, and you get the momentum. Lately we’ve been having the whole team together and everyone on the same level as each other, and we’ve been playing good.”
Four more frustrating misses later, the Sabres tacked on their second goal via Sabanovic’s close-in shot with 21:42 left in the game. Senior captain Hugo Marquez sealed the victory by taking a curving pass from Sanchez, then making a quick move and sending a shot inside the near post with 13:18 left.
“I brought the ball down, a beautiful ball from Michael,” said Marquez of the precursor of his ninth goal of the season. “I took a touch and beat the first defender and the second defender. I did a step over and shot it, and it went bottom near post. We’ve been working really hard during the offseason and during the season. Our teamwork is good.”
Polovin said Garcia’s made an excellent pass that set up Marquez’s goal, calling him the ideal team player to lead the program.
“Michael is so good with the ball,” Polovin said. “He’s the glue for our team, controls everything out there.
“He’s so technically gifted with his movement and his little fakes and everything else. He’s so fun to watch. We didn’t have him against Elgin. Players like him make the other players so much better.
“He hit a 50-yard diagonal ball right to Hugo’s foot. He was able to make a quick turn, freeze the goalie one way before slotting it home. That all came from Michael.
“He knows he’s going to get his legs chopped during the season, but he keeps playing and showing people he’s definitely one of the better midfielders around.”
Waubonsie Valley’s backline held off the attack as long as it could. The Warriors’ size in the defensive third kept the Sabres’ attack at bay for most of the game.
Sophomore defender Cade Valek said the Sabres are a talented team with highly skilled players.
“They moved the ball really well,” Valek said. “I thought their midfield was doing a good job bringing out their outside backs. All around, they had a great team.
“They put pressure in the midfield, and we needed to be there a little more. An all-around solid team -- they really played around us.
“It’s a learning moment. They play the through-balls a lot, slotted it in. We have to mark our men and make sure we’re aware of where we are on the field and know where they are. We have to mark them and prevent them from going line and swinging it back and getting a shot at the top of the box.”
Coach Garcia thinks his Warriors have the right ingredients to become a force late in the regular-season and playoffs.
“I think we have a lot of big games coming up, with our tournament and five or six teams coming up,” Garcia said. “That’s something we’re going to strive to win after not doing as well as we wanted to last year in the tournament (the 24th annual WarStang Invitational co-run with Metea Valley). I think this group would definitely benefit from a “W” in that tournament.
“I’m looking forward to the rest of the season. It goes quick. ... It becomes a photo finish toward the end. We’re slowly becoming a better team; we’re preparing for the playoffs.”
Streamwood can finally turn its attention toward Elgin. Sabanovic said the Sabres are anxious to get revenge.
“We’ve really bounced back from the Elgin game,” he said. “It was a hard-fought game, but we didn’t have two guys. We’re going to play them again on Monday.
“We’re going to play hard and are ready for them. We have to be direct, shoot more on Monday and create more chances. Our wingers and forwards are going to score.”
Starting lineups
Waubonsie Valley
GK: Abrahm Tiburcio
D: Tate Deasy
D: Akin Incekara
D: Michael Spano
D: Amiel Nichani
MF: Lachian Ladd
MF: Gean Riberio Scarpelli
MF: Angel Gallegos
MF: Stephen Thomas
F: Luke Bebar
F: Michael Cullen
Streamwood
GK: Jason Ramirez
D: Carlos Suarez
D: Diego Magana
D: Trey Yi
D: Alex Alcala
MF: Andy Mendoza
MF: Aaron Taboada
MF: Michael Garcia
MF: Andy Benitez
F: Hugo Marquez
F: A.J. Sabanovic
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match:
A.J. Sabanovic, so., F, Streamwood
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Streamwood: Huerta (Suarez), 51’
Streamwood: Sabanovic (unassisted), 59’
Streamwood: Marquez (Garcia), 67’
versus Waubonsie Valley
Sabres take down DuPage Valley foe, eye rematch with Elgin
By Bobby Narang
STREAMWOOD —- Streamwood’s A.J. Sabanovic was happy to pass out some postgame treats on Thursday night.
The sophomore forward gladly offered his healthy post-game snack — Cutie’s mandarin oranges — to anybody near him following a 3-0 home nonconference victory over Waubonsie Valley at Millennium Field.
As he munched on his final few orange-colored delights, Sabanovic joked he was also happy to contribute to the victory with a goal.
And he was just as happy to silence his father.
Sabanovic scored the Sabres’ second goal of the game, prompting a certain family member to yell out “Finally!” from the stands.
Like his teammates, Sabanovic admitted he was a bit frustrated at the slow start by the Sabres despite an extraordinary amount of shots — many of which were deflected by Waubonsie Valley’s strong and athletic backline.
“That was my dad, yelling out ‘Finally!’” Sabanovic said of the aftermath of his ninth goal of the season. “I had some good (shots) in the game. In the first half, I had one that came off the goalie, and he double-saved it. Then, in the second half, I had a ball in the box that went over, and I didn’t get there in time.
“It felt good to score. I saw the ball, especially after a teammate missed it. I was right there and hit it top right. It felt good, especially not giving up after some close ones.”
The Sabres (7-4-2) continued their solid play following a 2-1 morning setback to undefeated Elgin (10-0-3) in the semifinals of their Streamwood Fall Classic on Sept. 17 The Maroons jumped from 14th to no. 2 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top after taking the tourney title. They beat current no. 22 Lockport 1-0 in the final that afternoon.
Streamwood topped Glenbard South 4-0 Wednesday to remain undefeated in Upstate Eight Conference play.
Sabres coach Matt Polovin said his team is finally at full strength and now showing their potential. He praised his backline and junior goalie Jason Ramirez for sparking the back-to-back shutouts. Ramirez recorded a clean-sheet and finished with a clean jersey. He had one save against the Warriors (6-8-1) and did not need a stop against Glenbard South, according to Polovin.
“What makes me the happiest in these last two games is … Jason hasn’t had to really put the ball in his heads unless there’s a corner kick,” Polovin said.
“Yesterday the only time he touched the ball was with his feet, when we played it back to him. The defense is really stepping up these last couple of games.
“Having everyone back is key. Since the first game of the season, it’s always been a different group of guys. We had a guy out with a card, another with an injury or sickness. When we have everyone back and healthy, we’re definitely a dangerous team.”
Polovin said the key will be maintaining that energy and playing quality defense in a rematch at Elgin on Sept. 26.
“Elgin is having a great season,” Polovin said. “We were missing two of our better players. We came up short. It’s going to be a really good game on Monday. It’s a conference game. We want to win a conference championship, we have to win these games.”
Waubonsie Valley coach Jose Garcia credited the Sabres’ talented group of midfielders and forwards for a solid game. He said his players struggled keeping up with the speedy Sabres on the turf field.
“I think there’s a big factor when we play on grass and turf,” Garcia said. “We’re a grass team, and even train on grass. We haven’t played on turf in a week and a half.
“It changes the game completely. I think that was a big factor today. We have to get our feet back on turf. We’ve been lucky this year that we have had a lot of home games. We have to be prepared for anything because the pace of the game completely changes with turf.
“Defensively, we’ve been playing really well. We’re strong … in the back. It’s a matter if we can get that same dynamic to the midfielders and forwards. I think we’re capable of doing it. It’s going to be a matter of organizing ourselves in the middle and up-top. I think we’ll eventually get it.”
On a chilly fall-like late afternoon just hours before official start of autumn, Streamwood wasted little time attacking the Warriors’ net. Michael Garcia and Alex Bernal both had close attempts in the 11th minute. Senior Hugo Marquez blasted a shot off the back of a Warriors’ defender. Alex Alcala misfired wide on a close shot, and Garcia made two nifty moves before having his shot deflected late in the first half.
After more than 50 minutes, the Sabres finally ended their scoring drought. Bryan Huerta received a pass from Carlos Suarez, dribbled through a pair of defenders and drilled a shot from 13 yards into the back of the net for a 1-0 lead with 29:22 left in the second half.
“I saw the angle and space I had, so I just shot it,” Huerta said. “I took the strike, and it went in. It felt good, because we were lacking and not able to put the ball in.
“That’s soccer. You have to put in one shot, and you get the momentum. Lately we’ve been having the whole team together and everyone on the same level as each other, and we’ve been playing good.”
Four more frustrating misses later, the Sabres tacked on their second goal via Sabanovic’s close-in shot with 21:42 left in the game. Senior captain Hugo Marquez sealed the victory by taking a curving pass from Sanchez, then making a quick move and sending a shot inside the near post with 13:18 left.
“I brought the ball down, a beautiful ball from Michael,” said Marquez of the precursor of his ninth goal of the season. “I took a touch and beat the first defender and the second defender. I did a step over and shot it, and it went bottom near post. We’ve been working really hard during the offseason and during the season. Our teamwork is good.”
Polovin said Garcia’s made an excellent pass that set up Marquez’s goal, calling him the ideal team player to lead the program.
“Michael is so good with the ball,” Polovin said. “He’s the glue for our team, controls everything out there.
“He’s so technically gifted with his movement and his little fakes and everything else. He’s so fun to watch. We didn’t have him against Elgin. Players like him make the other players so much better.
“He hit a 50-yard diagonal ball right to Hugo’s foot. He was able to make a quick turn, freeze the goalie one way before slotting it home. That all came from Michael.
“He knows he’s going to get his legs chopped during the season, but he keeps playing and showing people he’s definitely one of the better midfielders around.”
Waubonsie Valley’s backline held off the attack as long as it could. The Warriors’ size in the defensive third kept the Sabres’ attack at bay for most of the game.
Sophomore defender Cade Valek said the Sabres are a talented team with highly skilled players.
“They moved the ball really well,” Valek said. “I thought their midfield was doing a good job bringing out their outside backs. All around, they had a great team.
“They put pressure in the midfield, and we needed to be there a little more. An all-around solid team -- they really played around us.
“It’s a learning moment. They play the through-balls a lot, slotted it in. We have to mark our men and make sure we’re aware of where we are on the field and know where they are. We have to mark them and prevent them from going line and swinging it back and getting a shot at the top of the box.”
Coach Garcia thinks his Warriors have the right ingredients to become a force late in the regular-season and playoffs.
“I think we have a lot of big games coming up, with our tournament and five or six teams coming up,” Garcia said. “That’s something we’re going to strive to win after not doing as well as we wanted to last year in the tournament (the 24th annual WarStang Invitational co-run with Metea Valley). I think this group would definitely benefit from a “W” in that tournament.
“I’m looking forward to the rest of the season. It goes quick. ... It becomes a photo finish toward the end. We’re slowly becoming a better team; we’re preparing for the playoffs.”
Streamwood can finally turn its attention toward Elgin. Sabanovic said the Sabres are anxious to get revenge.
“We’ve really bounced back from the Elgin game,” he said. “It was a hard-fought game, but we didn’t have two guys. We’re going to play them again on Monday.
“We’re going to play hard and are ready for them. We have to be direct, shoot more on Monday and create more chances. Our wingers and forwards are going to score.”
Starting lineups
Waubonsie Valley
GK: Abrahm Tiburcio
D: Tate Deasy
D: Akin Incekara
D: Michael Spano
D: Amiel Nichani
MF: Lachian Ladd
MF: Gean Riberio Scarpelli
MF: Angel Gallegos
MF: Stephen Thomas
F: Luke Bebar
F: Michael Cullen
Streamwood
GK: Jason Ramirez
D: Carlos Suarez
D: Diego Magana
D: Trey Yi
D: Alex Alcala
MF: Andy Mendoza
MF: Aaron Taboada
MF: Michael Garcia
MF: Andy Benitez
F: Hugo Marquez
F: A.J. Sabanovic
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match:
A.J. Sabanovic, so., F, Streamwood
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Streamwood: Huerta (Suarez), 51’
Streamwood: Sabanovic (unassisted), 59’
Streamwood: Marquez (Garcia), 67’