Warren comes up short in regional final
Pair of Mundelein 1st half goals give hosts a 2-1 win
By Mike Garofola
MUNDELEIN -- In what proved to be an enthralling game of soccer Saturday morning, third-seeded Mundelein got the better of Warren to claim a 2-1 victory and send the Blue Devils out of the postseason.
The victory sends the Mustangs (14-4-1) into the sectional semifinals at Barrington next Wednesday evening against North Suburban Conference rival and 10-seed Lake Zurich.
The young Warren club played with tremendous composure and class throughout the game for manager Jason Ahonen.
"I really want to compliment our entire team for their efforts today," began the Blue Devils manager.
"They worked as hard as they could until the final whistle, and we certainly had our chances. But unfortunately this wasn't our turn this year."
It was a harsh result for the no. 11 seed, which looked worthy of being a regional champion on this day. The Blue Devils (7-7-5) bossed around the hosts for most of the first period. Warren applied constant pressure to a Mustangs defense that played the bend-don't-break approach. It perfectly complimented the offense which provided two first half goals in the opening 21 minutes.
"I would agree that Warren enjoyed a lot of the play in that first half," said Ernie Billittier, Mundelein's fine manager who starred at his alma mater before going on to do the same at the University of Massachusetts.
"(They) had the ball a lot and were organized while having a lot of the possession which tested us defensively. But we were up to the task, just as we've been for most of the season, especially during these last few weeks."
Billittier, who was an IHSSCA All-State team member as a senior at Mundelein, was part of a Mustangs regional winner, one of just two since he left for college. The other came two years ago when then sophomore Bryan Alba and his teammates survived frigid cold and a sudden-death shootout to defeat Wheeling.
"That night was a terrible night; it was so cold," said Alba, one of three who wears the captain's armband for Billittier. "Today, even though not as cold as it was back then, was really crazy because of the way the weather changed so quickly."
What began as a crisp, bright blue-skied sunny day turned into a wind storm that came out of the north with a fury. It brought, at times, hints of rain and snow that made playing into it quite the challenge.
"Scoring those two goals in the first half (with) the wind was big," said Alba. "I kind of wish we got another one or two. We knew with the way Warren played into the wind, that they would really come at us in the second half."
When Eddy Avila had sight of the Warren goal at two minutes, the senior unloaded a terrific 22-yard cracker. His amazing accuracy, helped by the wind, prevented any chance Blue Devils keeper Chris Uribe had of stopping it.
"I would venture a guess that Eddy has had 5-6 chances like this one that have gone off the bar or post,," said Billittier with a smile. "But he's remained confident with that shot of his, and we're glad that he did today."
The early opener did not faze Ahonen's men. They quickly went about playing quality soccer with some lovely one- and two-touch, building from the back, switching fields and almost always finding three players who the opposing coach praised afterwards.
"Nos. 2, 10 and 14 were great today (Clayton Mobile, Ishaan Shah and Cris Medina) as so were their two center backs," said Billittier. "(Jason) has a great-looking team, and he and his staff have done a very good job of bringing them along this year."
Medina, whose pace and technical skill allowed him to break down the Mustangs on the outside, was a key to the Blue Devils first half attack. The junior produced a trio of chances on frame -- his best coming in the quarter hour when he helped create a deep throw from Luke Schoenbrunn that led to Medina going over at the back post.
Mundelein stayed cool and calm during the Blue Devils response to the Avila goal and made the few chances it mustered dangerous ones.
Armando Rosales stepped in to intercept then saw his one-timer redirected on the way in for an easy save by Uribe. The Warren keeper needed to be alert moments later when Matt Whelan's ball over the top split the Blue Devils defense to allow Camden Kowalski a chance.
Later midfielder Alba had sight of the goal and took full advantage by threading his low right-side effort the other way to double the Mundelein advantage at 21 minutes.
"We obviously did not want to be chasing two goals in this game," said Mobile. "But I never felt like we were out of the game -- if we could (get a goal) after the way we played in the first half another one or two more would follow."
The junior, along with Medina, Schoenbrunn and sophomore Ishaan Shah came this close to pulling one back at the half hour.
Shah, who runs the show for the Blue Devils in the middle of the park, was at the heart of three separate chances. The first came after he found Medina, who went endline before serving to the back post. From there Shah smashed his close-range effort wide.
The trio was soon at it again and created a scrum in front of Mundelein keeper Chris Villasenor, who watched teammate Victor Noriega take a loose ball off the line before Sebastian Rodriguez rattled the bar with an attempt.
Villasenor turned Medina's angled shot around the bar to end an impressive flurry of action in the Mustangs end. Despite all the pressure heaped upon the home side, Mundelein escaped unscored upon.
"We just never gave up, even after going down by those two goals," said Warren junior Noah Schwab. "But like Clayton said, it's too bad we didn't put one in during the first half."
Andy Rodriguez, who played the dual role of gritty center back/defensive-midfielder throughout the game for the Mustangs, fashioned a nice tackle near the midline after a ball was played through to Armando Rosales who was on his way to goal when Nolan Ehlers professional foul stopped the senior just outside the box.
Ehlers was booked for his actions but his effective tactical effort prevented a score when Rosales' free kick attempt sailed wide to end the half.
The lone goal for Jason Ahonens' men came when the tourney hosts gave the ball away with three-consecutive negative square passes in their own end. That allowed Mobile to lash home an deadly left-footed angled shot to insure the final 34 minutes of regulation would be a heart-stopping affair for a big crowd that braved the awful conditions.
Mundelein should have added another insurance goal, but Alexis Martinez missed two glorious chances just after the Mobile goal. Warren answered, but Alex Senko's clever snap-shot with the hope of catching Villasenor off his line was saved by the senior, who battled the wind and blowing snow.
Ahonen went with three up-top in the final 10 minutes as the Blue Devils went in search of the equalizer. The extra attacker, plus four midfielders, did create a handful of deep throws and shots on frame, but none of them were of quality.
The Mundelein backline of Alexis Fedorets, Andy Rodriguez, Whelan and Noriega held firm in those closing minutes to dash the hopes of a late goal and extra time for the Blue Devils' faithful and their manager.
"There's been a lot of improvement these past few weeks," began Ahonen.
"We looked real deep at the flaws we had, and made a few adjustments, the first big one was moving Nolan Ehlers in as our full-time center back."
"He's been terrific in keeping us organized while limiting chances on Uribe."
With this switch, Ahonen then made Schoenbrunn his no. 9, while moving the ultra-talented Shah in as the Blue Devils' no. 6 to strengthen the Warren defense in the middle of the park.
"Luke had scored multiple goals while providing helpers on others these last few weeks," added Ahonen. "He, along with so many others, have grown as both players and individuals collectively.
"We asked a lot of guys to play positions they normally would not play in club, but they all have been accepting of what's good for the team first in order to make this team better."
Ahonen says the decision to go 'young' this fall was met enthusiasm by both Uribe and defender Jovan Selakovic, who embraced the chance wholeheartedly to insure the long-term success the Blue Devils could enjoy when each watches from afar next season and beyond.
"Those two have been great mentors and leaders to a roster that has nearly everyone back, including seven sophomore," said Ahonen. "Both will know they were a part of any and all success that comes our way."
Starting lineups
Warren (4-4-2)
G- Chris Uribe
D- Jolan Selakovic
D- Max Floriani
D- Nolan Ehlers
D- Jackson Moats
M- Clayton Mobile
M- Sebastian Rodriguez
M- Ishaan Shah
M- Cris Medina
F- Josh Segura
F- Luke Schoenbrunn
Mundelein (4-3-3)
G- Chris Villasenor
D- Victory Noriega
D- Andy Rodriguez
D- Alexis Fedorets
D- Matt Whelan
M-Eddy Avila
M- Bryan Alba
M- Armando Rosales
F- Camden Kowalski
F- Darren Gray
F- Alexis Martinez
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Cris Medina, jr., MF, Warren
Clayton Mobile, jr., MF, Warren
Referee: Ed Schell
Scoring summary
First half
Mundelein: Eddy Avila 2'
Mundelein: Bryan Alba 21'
Second half
Warren: Clayton Mobile 56'
Pair of Mundelein 1st half goals give hosts a 2-1 win
By Mike Garofola
MUNDELEIN -- In what proved to be an enthralling game of soccer Saturday morning, third-seeded Mundelein got the better of Warren to claim a 2-1 victory and send the Blue Devils out of the postseason.
The victory sends the Mustangs (14-4-1) into the sectional semifinals at Barrington next Wednesday evening against North Suburban Conference rival and 10-seed Lake Zurich.
The young Warren club played with tremendous composure and class throughout the game for manager Jason Ahonen.
"I really want to compliment our entire team for their efforts today," began the Blue Devils manager.
"They worked as hard as they could until the final whistle, and we certainly had our chances. But unfortunately this wasn't our turn this year."
It was a harsh result for the no. 11 seed, which looked worthy of being a regional champion on this day. The Blue Devils (7-7-5) bossed around the hosts for most of the first period. Warren applied constant pressure to a Mustangs defense that played the bend-don't-break approach. It perfectly complimented the offense which provided two first half goals in the opening 21 minutes.
"I would agree that Warren enjoyed a lot of the play in that first half," said Ernie Billittier, Mundelein's fine manager who starred at his alma mater before going on to do the same at the University of Massachusetts.
"(They) had the ball a lot and were organized while having a lot of the possession which tested us defensively. But we were up to the task, just as we've been for most of the season, especially during these last few weeks."
Billittier, who was an IHSSCA All-State team member as a senior at Mundelein, was part of a Mustangs regional winner, one of just two since he left for college. The other came two years ago when then sophomore Bryan Alba and his teammates survived frigid cold and a sudden-death shootout to defeat Wheeling.
"That night was a terrible night; it was so cold," said Alba, one of three who wears the captain's armband for Billittier. "Today, even though not as cold as it was back then, was really crazy because of the way the weather changed so quickly."
What began as a crisp, bright blue-skied sunny day turned into a wind storm that came out of the north with a fury. It brought, at times, hints of rain and snow that made playing into it quite the challenge.
"Scoring those two goals in the first half (with) the wind was big," said Alba. "I kind of wish we got another one or two. We knew with the way Warren played into the wind, that they would really come at us in the second half."
When Eddy Avila had sight of the Warren goal at two minutes, the senior unloaded a terrific 22-yard cracker. His amazing accuracy, helped by the wind, prevented any chance Blue Devils keeper Chris Uribe had of stopping it.
"I would venture a guess that Eddy has had 5-6 chances like this one that have gone off the bar or post,," said Billittier with a smile. "But he's remained confident with that shot of his, and we're glad that he did today."
The early opener did not faze Ahonen's men. They quickly went about playing quality soccer with some lovely one- and two-touch, building from the back, switching fields and almost always finding three players who the opposing coach praised afterwards.
"Nos. 2, 10 and 14 were great today (Clayton Mobile, Ishaan Shah and Cris Medina) as so were their two center backs," said Billittier. "(Jason) has a great-looking team, and he and his staff have done a very good job of bringing them along this year."
Medina, whose pace and technical skill allowed him to break down the Mustangs on the outside, was a key to the Blue Devils first half attack. The junior produced a trio of chances on frame -- his best coming in the quarter hour when he helped create a deep throw from Luke Schoenbrunn that led to Medina going over at the back post.
Mundelein stayed cool and calm during the Blue Devils response to the Avila goal and made the few chances it mustered dangerous ones.
Armando Rosales stepped in to intercept then saw his one-timer redirected on the way in for an easy save by Uribe. The Warren keeper needed to be alert moments later when Matt Whelan's ball over the top split the Blue Devils defense to allow Camden Kowalski a chance.
Later midfielder Alba had sight of the goal and took full advantage by threading his low right-side effort the other way to double the Mundelein advantage at 21 minutes.
"We obviously did not want to be chasing two goals in this game," said Mobile. "But I never felt like we were out of the game -- if we could (get a goal) after the way we played in the first half another one or two more would follow."
The junior, along with Medina, Schoenbrunn and sophomore Ishaan Shah came this close to pulling one back at the half hour.
Shah, who runs the show for the Blue Devils in the middle of the park, was at the heart of three separate chances. The first came after he found Medina, who went endline before serving to the back post. From there Shah smashed his close-range effort wide.
The trio was soon at it again and created a scrum in front of Mundelein keeper Chris Villasenor, who watched teammate Victor Noriega take a loose ball off the line before Sebastian Rodriguez rattled the bar with an attempt.
Villasenor turned Medina's angled shot around the bar to end an impressive flurry of action in the Mustangs end. Despite all the pressure heaped upon the home side, Mundelein escaped unscored upon.
"We just never gave up, even after going down by those two goals," said Warren junior Noah Schwab. "But like Clayton said, it's too bad we didn't put one in during the first half."
Andy Rodriguez, who played the dual role of gritty center back/defensive-midfielder throughout the game for the Mustangs, fashioned a nice tackle near the midline after a ball was played through to Armando Rosales who was on his way to goal when Nolan Ehlers professional foul stopped the senior just outside the box.
Ehlers was booked for his actions but his effective tactical effort prevented a score when Rosales' free kick attempt sailed wide to end the half.
The lone goal for Jason Ahonens' men came when the tourney hosts gave the ball away with three-consecutive negative square passes in their own end. That allowed Mobile to lash home an deadly left-footed angled shot to insure the final 34 minutes of regulation would be a heart-stopping affair for a big crowd that braved the awful conditions.
Mundelein should have added another insurance goal, but Alexis Martinez missed two glorious chances just after the Mobile goal. Warren answered, but Alex Senko's clever snap-shot with the hope of catching Villasenor off his line was saved by the senior, who battled the wind and blowing snow.
Ahonen went with three up-top in the final 10 minutes as the Blue Devils went in search of the equalizer. The extra attacker, plus four midfielders, did create a handful of deep throws and shots on frame, but none of them were of quality.
The Mundelein backline of Alexis Fedorets, Andy Rodriguez, Whelan and Noriega held firm in those closing minutes to dash the hopes of a late goal and extra time for the Blue Devils' faithful and their manager.
"There's been a lot of improvement these past few weeks," began Ahonen.
"We looked real deep at the flaws we had, and made a few adjustments, the first big one was moving Nolan Ehlers in as our full-time center back."
"He's been terrific in keeping us organized while limiting chances on Uribe."
With this switch, Ahonen then made Schoenbrunn his no. 9, while moving the ultra-talented Shah in as the Blue Devils' no. 6 to strengthen the Warren defense in the middle of the park.
"Luke had scored multiple goals while providing helpers on others these last few weeks," added Ahonen. "He, along with so many others, have grown as both players and individuals collectively.
"We asked a lot of guys to play positions they normally would not play in club, but they all have been accepting of what's good for the team first in order to make this team better."
Ahonen says the decision to go 'young' this fall was met enthusiasm by both Uribe and defender Jovan Selakovic, who embraced the chance wholeheartedly to insure the long-term success the Blue Devils could enjoy when each watches from afar next season and beyond.
"Those two have been great mentors and leaders to a roster that has nearly everyone back, including seven sophomore," said Ahonen. "Both will know they were a part of any and all success that comes our way."
Starting lineups
Warren (4-4-2)
G- Chris Uribe
D- Jolan Selakovic
D- Max Floriani
D- Nolan Ehlers
D- Jackson Moats
M- Clayton Mobile
M- Sebastian Rodriguez
M- Ishaan Shah
M- Cris Medina
F- Josh Segura
F- Luke Schoenbrunn
Mundelein (4-3-3)
G- Chris Villasenor
D- Victory Noriega
D- Andy Rodriguez
D- Alexis Fedorets
D- Matt Whelan
M-Eddy Avila
M- Bryan Alba
M- Armando Rosales
F- Camden Kowalski
F- Darren Gray
F- Alexis Martinez
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Cris Medina, jr., MF, Warren
Clayton Mobile, jr., MF, Warren
Referee: Ed Schell
Scoring summary
First half
Mundelein: Eddy Avila 2'
Mundelein: Bryan Alba 21'
Second half
Warren: Clayton Mobile 56'