Fast start fuels York’s
historic victory over Lockport
Dukes withstand furious Lockport rally for semifinal win
By Patrick Z. McGavin
HOFFMAN ESTATES -- York entered the great unknown in the late Friday afternoon.
How else to explain the inner state of a program playing where it had never been, in a state semifinal, before a massive crowd on the final weekend of the season?
The Dukes stepped to the front in their showdown against Lockport.
In his first full season directing the program, coach Jordan Stopka had the only significant point of reference. He was an assistant coach on two St. Patrick teams that played in the Class AA and Class 3A state finals.
“It’s high school soccer, so it’s not like you’re going to have a veteran group that is going to stay around for 10 years,” Stopka said.
“It’s really easy to get lost in the moment, but we wanted to ground ourselves in the first five minutes. When we came out for the walk out, we really wanted to soak the experience in and realize where we are.”
The Dukes made the quicker adjustment in the matchup of two programs making their state debuts. Lockport once again showed how dangerous it can be with its back against the wall.
York created the early advantage through set pieces and withstood the Porters’ furious rally for the 3-2 victory in a Class 3A state semifinal before a crowd of about 2,500 at Hoffman Estates.
The Dukes (22-2-0) advance to the state championship against Fremd at 7 p.m. Saturday night.
The Vikings denied an all-West Suburban Conference final by shutting out Morton 1-0 in the second semifinal.
Every game produces its own narrative. Lockport (19-2-1) nearly wrote the perfect sequel to its extraordinary story from Tuesday night in the supersectional against Collinsville.
The Porters trailed 2-0 before rallying for two goals 16 seconds apart that forced overtime. They prevailed 3-2 after a goal in first overtime.
“It’s a testament to these kids, and the character they have,” Lockport coach Chris Beal said. “They never give up. They don’t know when they’re beaten.
“Many people probably thought this game was over, and our kids never believed that it was over.”
York ratcheted up pressure from the opening jump, using its speed and quickness in the open field to create a series of corner kicks.
The Dukes are formidable at the top of the their attack, playing off the distinctive styles and versatile skills of forwards Kevin Gliatis and Jose Herrera.
Gliatis is angular and athletic and has great elevation. Jose Herrera is dynamic in space, a terrific shot-distributor.
“In the first half, we were not possessing the ball well,” Beal said. “They were attacking us. We were too far dropped off.”
York seized control in the 20th minute. Forward Henri Ymeraj generated a corner kick from the right edge with his pressure.
Defender Yael Silvestre, a natural left-footer, delivered a beautiful service into that box, and Gliatis bounced his header off the turf and in from about six feet.
“I put the ball down, and I looked up and I saw Kevin running in,” Silvestre said. “I centered it, and he headed it.”
Gliatis was the quicker and more dynamic player in space. He also leveraged his size advantage perfectly.
“I put a hesitation move on the defender, and he went a little too far,” Gliatis said. “When I saw him make that early jump, I slipped right over his head and smacked my head on the ball.”
Early goals take on heightened importance the deeper the state tournament advances.
York was clearly energized by the goal.
It was huge coming out fast and stronger against a team like that, or any team, for that matter,” Gliatis said. “In that situation, all of our heads are up, and we’re yelling to everybody to keep going.
“Their heads are down, and they’re asking what just happened.”
Lockport had its best first half scoring opportunity in the 40th minute. York defender Ryder Kohl made a great recovery and cleared a ball just inches before it crossed the line.
York regained the momentum at the start of the second half. Midfielder Kacper Janowski was deeply impressive, controlling the action with his size and possessive skills.
Janowski and Jose Herrera appeared to turn the game into a rout with a series of dominant actions with an astonishing collection of moves.
In the 47th minute, Janowski forced a turnover and pushed the ball out wide that started Herrera in space.
Herrera advanced the ball down the right edge. After momentarily losing possession, he regained control and drove down the right flank.
He unleashed a ball from about 18 yards inside the far post for the 2-0 lead. He scored his team-best 22nd goal of the year.
“I was able to see an opportunity,” Herrera said. “Always in practice, at the start of the playoffs, we always work on getting an opening. Once you get those openings, you shoot right away. Don’t take another touch.
“That’s what I did. Take a shot, and it went in the back of the net.”
Herrera and his younger brother, Gustavo Herrera, have been key instruments in the Dukes’ attack. Sam Musial, another crucial piece who is recovered from an injury, also played a critical role in the possessive and precise style the Dukes deployed.
Jose Herrera and Janowski collaborated on a sensational goal in the 63rd minute. Janowski effectively created the rare “hockey assist,” of his own goal, that is produced the pass that led to the final pass that set up his goal.
In a startling and beautiful sequence, Janowski worked a beautiful give and go with Herrera. The ball began with Janowski who played it to Herrera in space.
Janowski got the return feed off a beautiful back tap. He caught the second pass in ideal space and hammered a low-level ball from 15 yards for what seemed like an insurmountable 3-0 lead.
“We just had to make sure we were working hard,” Janowski said. “That’s what the play was, the two of us just working hard.
“I won the ball and gave it to Jose, and he took a guy on and flipped it on to me and I just ripped it in the back of the net.”
Janowski scored his sixth goal. Gliatis has 14.
Kacper Janowski earned the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match distinction for his excellent two-way play.
A few minutes later, Lockport finally asserted itself with two spectacular movements of its own that were the equivalent of a big, right hand thrown to the jaw of the Dukes.
Lockport pushed numbers forward. Defender Dylan Vilcek smashed a ball from the left wing that ricocheted off the crossbar.
Defender Dominic Williams worked quickly to get the second touch, and he hammered a ball from about 14 yards for the 68th minute goal.
Moments later, forward Peyton Abdul-Razik worked the left flank and caught a ball from midfielder Dan Jimenez. He smashed a ball from about 16 yards that curled inside the back post in the 70th minute.
It was not quite the two-goal, 16-second sequence of Tuesday night. This time, it took all of 96 seconds for Lockport to turn the game.
Williams and Abdul-Razik each scored their second goal of the season.
“We don’t stop for anything,” Abdul-Razik said. “We knew we wanted to be in the state final, and we did everything we could to fight back.”
Defender Gabe Czako is one of the state’s elite two-sport athletes. He was all-state in soccer and finished second in both the 110 hurdles and 300 intermediate hurdles.
“I think from the other games we definitely showed that it’s possible to come back,” Czako said. “It’s not the best situation to be in, obviously.
“What happened in the other games, I think we just have the drive to keep going and keep working hard. We believed we could keep scoring those goals.”
The noise was so deafening the center official could not hear the air horn on the substitutions.
York was scrambling to protect the lead.
“We watched their game with Collinsville on Wednesday, and I guarantee you there was a collective knot when that second goal went in,” Stopka said.
“I think there was about five to seven minutes of panic there. I think around the eight-minute mark, we started connecting passes to the middle of the field, and we finally understood the game plan.”
York ostensibly went to the canvas and got back up. They survived the flurry and moved to their first state game.
“From the beginning of the season, I knew we were going to go far,” Gliatis said. “The stakes were set really high for our team.”
Starting lineups
York
GK: Ricardo Torres
D: Connor Bare
D: Brendan Haran
D: Ryder Kohl
D: Yael Silvestre
MF: Sam Musial
MF: Kacper Janowski
MF: Joe Hernandez
MF: Gustavo Herrera
F: Jose Herrera
F: Kevin Gliatis
Lockport
GK: Patrick Marshall
D: Dylan Vilcek
D: Gabe Czako
D: Ryan Pavelka
D: Dominic Williams
MF: Dylan Morgan
MF: Dan Jimenez
MF: Adam Doyle
F: Makonde Stampley
F: Danny Kajtezovic
F: Nate Blajewski
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Kacper Janowski, sr., MF, York
Scoring summary
First half
York—Kevin Gliatis (Yael Silvestre), 20th minute
Second half
York—Jose Herrera (unassisted), 47th minute
York—Kacper Janowski (Herrera), 54th minute
Lockport—Dominic Williams (Dylan Vilcek), 68th minute
Lockport—Peyton Abdul-Razik (Dan Jimenez), 70th minute
historic victory over Lockport
Dukes withstand furious Lockport rally for semifinal win
By Patrick Z. McGavin
HOFFMAN ESTATES -- York entered the great unknown in the late Friday afternoon.
How else to explain the inner state of a program playing where it had never been, in a state semifinal, before a massive crowd on the final weekend of the season?
The Dukes stepped to the front in their showdown against Lockport.
In his first full season directing the program, coach Jordan Stopka had the only significant point of reference. He was an assistant coach on two St. Patrick teams that played in the Class AA and Class 3A state finals.
“It’s high school soccer, so it’s not like you’re going to have a veteran group that is going to stay around for 10 years,” Stopka said.
“It’s really easy to get lost in the moment, but we wanted to ground ourselves in the first five minutes. When we came out for the walk out, we really wanted to soak the experience in and realize where we are.”
The Dukes made the quicker adjustment in the matchup of two programs making their state debuts. Lockport once again showed how dangerous it can be with its back against the wall.
York created the early advantage through set pieces and withstood the Porters’ furious rally for the 3-2 victory in a Class 3A state semifinal before a crowd of about 2,500 at Hoffman Estates.
The Dukes (22-2-0) advance to the state championship against Fremd at 7 p.m. Saturday night.
The Vikings denied an all-West Suburban Conference final by shutting out Morton 1-0 in the second semifinal.
Every game produces its own narrative. Lockport (19-2-1) nearly wrote the perfect sequel to its extraordinary story from Tuesday night in the supersectional against Collinsville.
The Porters trailed 2-0 before rallying for two goals 16 seconds apart that forced overtime. They prevailed 3-2 after a goal in first overtime.
“It’s a testament to these kids, and the character they have,” Lockport coach Chris Beal said. “They never give up. They don’t know when they’re beaten.
“Many people probably thought this game was over, and our kids never believed that it was over.”
York ratcheted up pressure from the opening jump, using its speed and quickness in the open field to create a series of corner kicks.
The Dukes are formidable at the top of the their attack, playing off the distinctive styles and versatile skills of forwards Kevin Gliatis and Jose Herrera.
Gliatis is angular and athletic and has great elevation. Jose Herrera is dynamic in space, a terrific shot-distributor.
“In the first half, we were not possessing the ball well,” Beal said. “They were attacking us. We were too far dropped off.”
York seized control in the 20th minute. Forward Henri Ymeraj generated a corner kick from the right edge with his pressure.
Defender Yael Silvestre, a natural left-footer, delivered a beautiful service into that box, and Gliatis bounced his header off the turf and in from about six feet.
“I put the ball down, and I looked up and I saw Kevin running in,” Silvestre said. “I centered it, and he headed it.”
Gliatis was the quicker and more dynamic player in space. He also leveraged his size advantage perfectly.
“I put a hesitation move on the defender, and he went a little too far,” Gliatis said. “When I saw him make that early jump, I slipped right over his head and smacked my head on the ball.”
Early goals take on heightened importance the deeper the state tournament advances.
York was clearly energized by the goal.
It was huge coming out fast and stronger against a team like that, or any team, for that matter,” Gliatis said. “In that situation, all of our heads are up, and we’re yelling to everybody to keep going.
“Their heads are down, and they’re asking what just happened.”
Lockport had its best first half scoring opportunity in the 40th minute. York defender Ryder Kohl made a great recovery and cleared a ball just inches before it crossed the line.
York regained the momentum at the start of the second half. Midfielder Kacper Janowski was deeply impressive, controlling the action with his size and possessive skills.
Janowski and Jose Herrera appeared to turn the game into a rout with a series of dominant actions with an astonishing collection of moves.
In the 47th minute, Janowski forced a turnover and pushed the ball out wide that started Herrera in space.
Herrera advanced the ball down the right edge. After momentarily losing possession, he regained control and drove down the right flank.
He unleashed a ball from about 18 yards inside the far post for the 2-0 lead. He scored his team-best 22nd goal of the year.
“I was able to see an opportunity,” Herrera said. “Always in practice, at the start of the playoffs, we always work on getting an opening. Once you get those openings, you shoot right away. Don’t take another touch.
“That’s what I did. Take a shot, and it went in the back of the net.”
Herrera and his younger brother, Gustavo Herrera, have been key instruments in the Dukes’ attack. Sam Musial, another crucial piece who is recovered from an injury, also played a critical role in the possessive and precise style the Dukes deployed.
Jose Herrera and Janowski collaborated on a sensational goal in the 63rd minute. Janowski effectively created the rare “hockey assist,” of his own goal, that is produced the pass that led to the final pass that set up his goal.
In a startling and beautiful sequence, Janowski worked a beautiful give and go with Herrera. The ball began with Janowski who played it to Herrera in space.
Janowski got the return feed off a beautiful back tap. He caught the second pass in ideal space and hammered a low-level ball from 15 yards for what seemed like an insurmountable 3-0 lead.
“We just had to make sure we were working hard,” Janowski said. “That’s what the play was, the two of us just working hard.
“I won the ball and gave it to Jose, and he took a guy on and flipped it on to me and I just ripped it in the back of the net.”
Janowski scored his sixth goal. Gliatis has 14.
Kacper Janowski earned the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match distinction for his excellent two-way play.
A few minutes later, Lockport finally asserted itself with two spectacular movements of its own that were the equivalent of a big, right hand thrown to the jaw of the Dukes.
Lockport pushed numbers forward. Defender Dylan Vilcek smashed a ball from the left wing that ricocheted off the crossbar.
Defender Dominic Williams worked quickly to get the second touch, and he hammered a ball from about 14 yards for the 68th minute goal.
Moments later, forward Peyton Abdul-Razik worked the left flank and caught a ball from midfielder Dan Jimenez. He smashed a ball from about 16 yards that curled inside the back post in the 70th minute.
It was not quite the two-goal, 16-second sequence of Tuesday night. This time, it took all of 96 seconds for Lockport to turn the game.
Williams and Abdul-Razik each scored their second goal of the season.
“We don’t stop for anything,” Abdul-Razik said. “We knew we wanted to be in the state final, and we did everything we could to fight back.”
Defender Gabe Czako is one of the state’s elite two-sport athletes. He was all-state in soccer and finished second in both the 110 hurdles and 300 intermediate hurdles.
“I think from the other games we definitely showed that it’s possible to come back,” Czako said. “It’s not the best situation to be in, obviously.
“What happened in the other games, I think we just have the drive to keep going and keep working hard. We believed we could keep scoring those goals.”
The noise was so deafening the center official could not hear the air horn on the substitutions.
York was scrambling to protect the lead.
“We watched their game with Collinsville on Wednesday, and I guarantee you there was a collective knot when that second goal went in,” Stopka said.
“I think there was about five to seven minutes of panic there. I think around the eight-minute mark, we started connecting passes to the middle of the field, and we finally understood the game plan.”
York ostensibly went to the canvas and got back up. They survived the flurry and moved to their first state game.
“From the beginning of the season, I knew we were going to go far,” Gliatis said. “The stakes were set really high for our team.”
Starting lineups
York
GK: Ricardo Torres
D: Connor Bare
D: Brendan Haran
D: Ryder Kohl
D: Yael Silvestre
MF: Sam Musial
MF: Kacper Janowski
MF: Joe Hernandez
MF: Gustavo Herrera
F: Jose Herrera
F: Kevin Gliatis
Lockport
GK: Patrick Marshall
D: Dylan Vilcek
D: Gabe Czako
D: Ryan Pavelka
D: Dominic Williams
MF: Dylan Morgan
MF: Dan Jimenez
MF: Adam Doyle
F: Makonde Stampley
F: Danny Kajtezovic
F: Nate Blajewski
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Kacper Janowski, sr., MF, York
Scoring summary
First half
York—Kevin Gliatis (Yael Silvestre), 20th minute
Second half
York—Jose Herrera (unassisted), 47th minute
York—Kacper Janowski (Herrera), 54th minute
Lockport—Dominic Williams (Dylan Vilcek), 68th minute
Lockport—Peyton Abdul-Razik (Dan Jimenez), 70th minute