DGS solves Willowbrook’s brilliant Giase
Host Mustangs overcome goalkeeper’s 11 saves to win 4-1
By Matt Le Cren
DOWNERS GROVE – Downers Grove South forward Enrique Gonzalez coveted a hat-trick Tuesday night.
He would have had one, too, if not for Willowbrook senior Mario Giase, who put on an outstanding display of goalkeeping, making 11 saves, nearly all of them difficult.
Giase’s performance, however, was not enough to stop Downers Grove South’s onslaught. Gonzalez scored the first two goals of the game off passes from Alex Flores, and Aaron Venouziou and Jack Daly each tallied one goal as the host Mustangs won the West Suburban Conference Gold Division match 4-1.
“That was a good keeper,” said Gonzalez, his eyes betraying his want for more goals.
But Gonzalez and his teammates did more than enough to do what mattered most -- secure the victory. Both sides were desperate for a win.
“This helps us a lot, because it makes us push for the playoffs,” Flores said. “We have a tough team we’re playing against Thursday, Addison Trail, a top 15 team in the state, so this only helps us improve as a team. It gives us more confidence.”
The Mustangs (5-6-3, 2-3-0) knew that Willowbrook had a suspect defense. More importantly, they knew the tactics of the Warriors (4-12-0, 0-5-0).
“I feel like we came with a game plan,” Flores said. “We were scouting them, and we knew they were going to come up with the high line, so we practiced that all week.
“First half we came out a little rusty, but second half I feel like we did a better job.”
Downers Grove South used its speed and precision-passing to negate Willowbrook’s offsides trap and began to regular get in behind the defense. Giase slammed the door shut on the Mustangs’ first good chance, making a point-blank stop on Gonzalez in the fourth minute after the junior had latched on to a cross from Jack Daly.
Seven minutes later, the Mustangs sent a through-ball up the right wing toward Daly, who raced into the clear after it only to see Giase come out of the box and clear it out of bounds.
The reprieve was only temporary, however, as the Mustangs got the ensuing throw-in to Flores, who took the ball to the right endline before crossing to Gonzalez for a pretty goal from just outside the far post with 27:15 left in the half.
But Gonzalez scored an even bigger goal just 17 seconds into the second half. The momentum-building result was a tap-in off another nice cross from Flores.
“It gave us a good boost,” Gonzalez said. “We were only winning 1-0, and we didn’t want to win like that.
“We wanted more goals, so after scoring a goal in the beginning of the second half, it gave us the momentum to score two more.”
The Mustangs haven’t had a two-goal lead often this season, so the 2-0 edge had to feel good. It was just the fourth time this season Downers South has scored two or more goals in a game; they have won just once when failing to do so.
“They were playing that higher line, and we were able to get in behind them a number of times,” Downers Grove South coach Jon Stapleton said. “A 1-0 game at halftime, we knew they were going to play hard, and I think coming out and getting that second goal right away certainly changed the complexion of the second half a little bit.”
But it was some nifty goalkeeping – and not by Giase – that provided the second and perhaps most consequential turning point.
Willowbrook scoring leader David Rizzo was taken down in the box by Downers Grove South goalie Christopher Gory, giving the Warriors a penalty kick with 25:46 left.
Rizzo, who took seven of his team’s 11 shots, stepped to the spot and aimed for the upper 90, but Gory knocked the ball up in the air with both hands and the ball sailed over the end line.
It was the highlight of a fine performance by Gory, who made eight saves, four of them on Rizzo.
“I was so relieved, because I didn’t want them to score,” Gonzalez said. “We had the momentum, but at least he saved it, and we got two more goals.”
The Mustangs did, but they didn’t come from Gonzalez, who had a great chance for his third goal of the game when he made a long run into the box and came in alone on Giase.
But Giase made a great kick save to deflect Gonzalez’s shot wide of the left post. The reprieve was only temporary for the Warriors, however, as Flores tried to score directly off the ensuing corner kick.
That try was parried wide by Giase, who raced nearly from post to post to deny the surprising tactic. The Mustangs converted next when Venouziou pounced on a loose ball to score his second goal of the season with 11:15 to go.
Then it was Daly’s turn. Junior Blazo Jovicevic chipped a ball over the top into the right side of the box and Daly volleyed it home for his first strike of his senior season.
“He played well,” Stapleton said of Daly. “He’s been around the net several times. He’s had some misfortune over the course of the season, so I think that was a little weight was lifted off his shoulders, too.”
It was a big sigh of relief for the Mustangs, who know they need to become more prolific and consistent if they are to pull an upset or two in the playoffs.
“It’s a nice boost,” Stapleton said. “We haven’t had a game like this since the York game (also a 4-1 win) where things clicked as well as they did offensively.
“We have some great momentum going into Addison Trail on Thursday and the last couple games. The big thing is finding the consistency with it, just being the same team every night, which is part of the challenge.”
Willowbrook’s challenges are even greater. There is not much the Warriors can do about their inexperienced defense but at least they’ve got Giase, who has been consistently sensational, especially in games at Downers Grove South.
“He’s had probably his two best games on this field,” Willowbrook coach Eddie DeLaCruz said. “Maybe he should play his collegiate soccer games on this field.
“(Stapleton) gives him props every single year. He’s definitely one of the best goalkeepers in the area.
“He’s definitely a player I’m going to miss for a very long time. Whatever college he plays for is getting the total package.”
Giase, who is looking at Division II and Division III colleges, has remained upbeat despite all the shots he has faced this fall. On the one hand, it lengthens his college recruiting highlight film. But it also gives him a chance to teach his defenders.
“The defense has been our biggest downfall this year because of how young it is,” Giase said. “It’s a lot of learning for defenders. They are getting better over the season even though our record is not showing it. We are improving.”
So, it seems, is Giase, who didn’t seem overly impressed with his performance.
“I played pretty well tonight,” Giase said. “Sophomore year I had a pretty good game here.
“Both times we lost, but I did my job. I made saves and distributed out of the back.”
But the effort went for naught as the Mustangs exploited the Warriors’ mistakes and weren’t punished for their own mistakes until Gory fumbled a shot from Francisco Perez over the goal line with 51 seconds left, thwarting the shutout bid.
Starting lineups
Willowbrook
GK Mario Giase
D Kalep Martinez
D Aaron Gualipa
D Brian Fuentes
D Hugo Gutierrez
M Jeff Wolski
M Dorian Mahone
M David Rizzo
M Casey Rosas
M Norman Deci
F Eric Hoda
Downers Grove South
GK Christopher Gory
D Michael Beube
D Alexander Wielgosz
D Steven Mucha
D Ethan Kelly
M Maura Becerra
M Stefano Espinosa
M Alexander Flores
M Jack Daly
M Kurt Bennett
F Enrique Gonzalez
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match – Enrique Gonzalez, jr., F, Downers Grove South.
Scoring summary
First half
Downers Grove South – Enrique Gonzalez (Alex Flores), 27:15
Second Half
Downers Grove South – Gonzalez (Flores), 39:43
Downers Grove South – Aaron Venouziou, 11:15
Downers Grove South – Jack Daly (Blazo Jovicevic), 6:34
Willowbrook - Francisco Perez (unassisted), :51
Host Mustangs overcome goalkeeper’s 11 saves to win 4-1
By Matt Le Cren
DOWNERS GROVE – Downers Grove South forward Enrique Gonzalez coveted a hat-trick Tuesday night.
He would have had one, too, if not for Willowbrook senior Mario Giase, who put on an outstanding display of goalkeeping, making 11 saves, nearly all of them difficult.
Giase’s performance, however, was not enough to stop Downers Grove South’s onslaught. Gonzalez scored the first two goals of the game off passes from Alex Flores, and Aaron Venouziou and Jack Daly each tallied one goal as the host Mustangs won the West Suburban Conference Gold Division match 4-1.
“That was a good keeper,” said Gonzalez, his eyes betraying his want for more goals.
But Gonzalez and his teammates did more than enough to do what mattered most -- secure the victory. Both sides were desperate for a win.
“This helps us a lot, because it makes us push for the playoffs,” Flores said. “We have a tough team we’re playing against Thursday, Addison Trail, a top 15 team in the state, so this only helps us improve as a team. It gives us more confidence.”
The Mustangs (5-6-3, 2-3-0) knew that Willowbrook had a suspect defense. More importantly, they knew the tactics of the Warriors (4-12-0, 0-5-0).
“I feel like we came with a game plan,” Flores said. “We were scouting them, and we knew they were going to come up with the high line, so we practiced that all week.
“First half we came out a little rusty, but second half I feel like we did a better job.”
Downers Grove South used its speed and precision-passing to negate Willowbrook’s offsides trap and began to regular get in behind the defense. Giase slammed the door shut on the Mustangs’ first good chance, making a point-blank stop on Gonzalez in the fourth minute after the junior had latched on to a cross from Jack Daly.
Seven minutes later, the Mustangs sent a through-ball up the right wing toward Daly, who raced into the clear after it only to see Giase come out of the box and clear it out of bounds.
The reprieve was only temporary, however, as the Mustangs got the ensuing throw-in to Flores, who took the ball to the right endline before crossing to Gonzalez for a pretty goal from just outside the far post with 27:15 left in the half.
But Gonzalez scored an even bigger goal just 17 seconds into the second half. The momentum-building result was a tap-in off another nice cross from Flores.
“It gave us a good boost,” Gonzalez said. “We were only winning 1-0, and we didn’t want to win like that.
“We wanted more goals, so after scoring a goal in the beginning of the second half, it gave us the momentum to score two more.”
The Mustangs haven’t had a two-goal lead often this season, so the 2-0 edge had to feel good. It was just the fourth time this season Downers South has scored two or more goals in a game; they have won just once when failing to do so.
“They were playing that higher line, and we were able to get in behind them a number of times,” Downers Grove South coach Jon Stapleton said. “A 1-0 game at halftime, we knew they were going to play hard, and I think coming out and getting that second goal right away certainly changed the complexion of the second half a little bit.”
But it was some nifty goalkeeping – and not by Giase – that provided the second and perhaps most consequential turning point.
Willowbrook scoring leader David Rizzo was taken down in the box by Downers Grove South goalie Christopher Gory, giving the Warriors a penalty kick with 25:46 left.
Rizzo, who took seven of his team’s 11 shots, stepped to the spot and aimed for the upper 90, but Gory knocked the ball up in the air with both hands and the ball sailed over the end line.
It was the highlight of a fine performance by Gory, who made eight saves, four of them on Rizzo.
“I was so relieved, because I didn’t want them to score,” Gonzalez said. “We had the momentum, but at least he saved it, and we got two more goals.”
The Mustangs did, but they didn’t come from Gonzalez, who had a great chance for his third goal of the game when he made a long run into the box and came in alone on Giase.
But Giase made a great kick save to deflect Gonzalez’s shot wide of the left post. The reprieve was only temporary for the Warriors, however, as Flores tried to score directly off the ensuing corner kick.
That try was parried wide by Giase, who raced nearly from post to post to deny the surprising tactic. The Mustangs converted next when Venouziou pounced on a loose ball to score his second goal of the season with 11:15 to go.
Then it was Daly’s turn. Junior Blazo Jovicevic chipped a ball over the top into the right side of the box and Daly volleyed it home for his first strike of his senior season.
“He played well,” Stapleton said of Daly. “He’s been around the net several times. He’s had some misfortune over the course of the season, so I think that was a little weight was lifted off his shoulders, too.”
It was a big sigh of relief for the Mustangs, who know they need to become more prolific and consistent if they are to pull an upset or two in the playoffs.
“It’s a nice boost,” Stapleton said. “We haven’t had a game like this since the York game (also a 4-1 win) where things clicked as well as they did offensively.
“We have some great momentum going into Addison Trail on Thursday and the last couple games. The big thing is finding the consistency with it, just being the same team every night, which is part of the challenge.”
Willowbrook’s challenges are even greater. There is not much the Warriors can do about their inexperienced defense but at least they’ve got Giase, who has been consistently sensational, especially in games at Downers Grove South.
“He’s had probably his two best games on this field,” Willowbrook coach Eddie DeLaCruz said. “Maybe he should play his collegiate soccer games on this field.
“(Stapleton) gives him props every single year. He’s definitely one of the best goalkeepers in the area.
“He’s definitely a player I’m going to miss for a very long time. Whatever college he plays for is getting the total package.”
Giase, who is looking at Division II and Division III colleges, has remained upbeat despite all the shots he has faced this fall. On the one hand, it lengthens his college recruiting highlight film. But it also gives him a chance to teach his defenders.
“The defense has been our biggest downfall this year because of how young it is,” Giase said. “It’s a lot of learning for defenders. They are getting better over the season even though our record is not showing it. We are improving.”
So, it seems, is Giase, who didn’t seem overly impressed with his performance.
“I played pretty well tonight,” Giase said. “Sophomore year I had a pretty good game here.
“Both times we lost, but I did my job. I made saves and distributed out of the back.”
But the effort went for naught as the Mustangs exploited the Warriors’ mistakes and weren’t punished for their own mistakes until Gory fumbled a shot from Francisco Perez over the goal line with 51 seconds left, thwarting the shutout bid.
Starting lineups
Willowbrook
GK Mario Giase
D Kalep Martinez
D Aaron Gualipa
D Brian Fuentes
D Hugo Gutierrez
M Jeff Wolski
M Dorian Mahone
M David Rizzo
M Casey Rosas
M Norman Deci
F Eric Hoda
Downers Grove South
GK Christopher Gory
D Michael Beube
D Alexander Wielgosz
D Steven Mucha
D Ethan Kelly
M Maura Becerra
M Stefano Espinosa
M Alexander Flores
M Jack Daly
M Kurt Bennett
F Enrique Gonzalez
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match – Enrique Gonzalez, jr., F, Downers Grove South.
Scoring summary
First half
Downers Grove South – Enrique Gonzalez (Alex Flores), 27:15
Second Half
Downers Grove South – Gonzalez (Flores), 39:43
Downers Grove South – Aaron Venouziou, 11:15
Downers Grove South – Jack Daly (Blazo Jovicevic), 6:34
Willowbrook - Francisco Perez (unassisted), :51