Plots converge when Solorio meets Lane
Sun Warriors look to make history in city title game vs. Indians
By Patrick Z. McGavin
The Chicago Public League city championship is a dream matchup.
History, talent and parallel and off-loop storylines bound off each other in increasingly fascinating and hypnotic ways.
Solorio travels to the North Side Thursday night at 7 p.m. to square off with Lane.
“They have the advantage of home field,” Solorio coach Adrian Calleros said.
Lane beat Taft 2-1 on a header by David Arroyo in the second minute of overtime. Star Alex Sanchez had a goal and assist in leading the Sun Warriors, ranked eighth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, past South Side rival Washington.
A three-year cycle now plays out, and Lane is looking to extend the recent history.
As a form of explanation, the city title marks the third-straight year the defending city champion is looking to make history, becoming the first team in the modern era to win back-to-back Public League championships.
In 2017, defending champion Lane was upset by Washington. Last year, Solorio knocked off Washington in double overtime on a goal by Sanchez.
Now Solorio is the team chasing history.
“Last year we created (program) history by winning city,” junior defender Andy Salgado said. He scored the game-winner Tuesday in the 63rd minute.
“This should be another one to the books.”
The game jams quit a bit together: North and South, a platform for the two best players in the city in Arroyo and Sanchez, and two programs have stood the test of time. Lane is playing for the city title for the third time in the last four years.
“We feel excited because we are at home,” Arroyo said. “We are going to play our best 80 minutes and do whatever it takes to win it.”
In the semifinals, a second half Taft goal by Ricardo Gonzalez snapped a streak of five consecutive shutouts by the Indians (11-2-0). Lane is big and physical in the back, making for a contrast of style and play with the liquid quick and fluid Sun Warriors.
“What’s keeping us in the city is our defense,” Arroyo said. “We have only conceded only one goal since group play started. We had five shutouts in a row. Our keeper [Jacob Bozek] is probably the best in the city.
“He keeps us in the game every time.”
Until the 2018 season, the Public League’s top division, the Premier, consisted of one eight-team conference. Now it has expanded into two eight-team groups marked North and South. Lane and Solorio had several jaw-dropping conference games before the new set-up.
The Indians beat Solorio 2-0 in the city semifinals two years ago. That was the last time the teams have played. The new conference format effectively walled them off each other.
It has only ratcheted up the excitement and prestige.
Sanchez, midfielder Rafael Soto and midfielder/forward Donovan Dorantes push the attack for the Sun Warriors (19-1-1).
Calleros has been thrilled by his defense — a group typically overlooked given the high-powered offensive attack.
“We have an All-American in Sanchez and three or four more really good players with returning experience,” Calleros said. “They work and put in leadership. Our defense gets things done.”
The mix of the established talents with bright and emerging talents has made for a combustible and highly effective pairing.
“The young guys we have, obviously, they are not bad,” Calleros said. “Our keeper, Joel Estrada, is a junior. We have an excellent defensive line and back, and they give up less than a goal a game.
“We have won numerous games this year with teams triple-teaming Sanchez and playing nine guys behind the ball. We can play a lot of different styles and be effective.”
Lane stands in the way. They have their own history to call on. IN the rare role as underdogs this time, they hope it is enough.
“Lane has a great history of always getting into the final,” said midfielder Jose Mendiola, who scored against Taft Tuesday.
“We have school pride, a lot of grit, and we worked hard.”
Sun Warriors look to make history in city title game vs. Indians
By Patrick Z. McGavin
The Chicago Public League city championship is a dream matchup.
History, talent and parallel and off-loop storylines bound off each other in increasingly fascinating and hypnotic ways.
Solorio travels to the North Side Thursday night at 7 p.m. to square off with Lane.
“They have the advantage of home field,” Solorio coach Adrian Calleros said.
Lane beat Taft 2-1 on a header by David Arroyo in the second minute of overtime. Star Alex Sanchez had a goal and assist in leading the Sun Warriors, ranked eighth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, past South Side rival Washington.
A three-year cycle now plays out, and Lane is looking to extend the recent history.
As a form of explanation, the city title marks the third-straight year the defending city champion is looking to make history, becoming the first team in the modern era to win back-to-back Public League championships.
In 2017, defending champion Lane was upset by Washington. Last year, Solorio knocked off Washington in double overtime on a goal by Sanchez.
Now Solorio is the team chasing history.
“Last year we created (program) history by winning city,” junior defender Andy Salgado said. He scored the game-winner Tuesday in the 63rd minute.
“This should be another one to the books.”
The game jams quit a bit together: North and South, a platform for the two best players in the city in Arroyo and Sanchez, and two programs have stood the test of time. Lane is playing for the city title for the third time in the last four years.
“We feel excited because we are at home,” Arroyo said. “We are going to play our best 80 minutes and do whatever it takes to win it.”
In the semifinals, a second half Taft goal by Ricardo Gonzalez snapped a streak of five consecutive shutouts by the Indians (11-2-0). Lane is big and physical in the back, making for a contrast of style and play with the liquid quick and fluid Sun Warriors.
“What’s keeping us in the city is our defense,” Arroyo said. “We have only conceded only one goal since group play started. We had five shutouts in a row. Our keeper [Jacob Bozek] is probably the best in the city.
“He keeps us in the game every time.”
Until the 2018 season, the Public League’s top division, the Premier, consisted of one eight-team conference. Now it has expanded into two eight-team groups marked North and South. Lane and Solorio had several jaw-dropping conference games before the new set-up.
The Indians beat Solorio 2-0 in the city semifinals two years ago. That was the last time the teams have played. The new conference format effectively walled them off each other.
It has only ratcheted up the excitement and prestige.
Sanchez, midfielder Rafael Soto and midfielder/forward Donovan Dorantes push the attack for the Sun Warriors (19-1-1).
Calleros has been thrilled by his defense — a group typically overlooked given the high-powered offensive attack.
“We have an All-American in Sanchez and three or four more really good players with returning experience,” Calleros said. “They work and put in leadership. Our defense gets things done.”
The mix of the established talents with bright and emerging talents has made for a combustible and highly effective pairing.
“The young guys we have, obviously, they are not bad,” Calleros said. “Our keeper, Joel Estrada, is a junior. We have an excellent defensive line and back, and they give up less than a goal a game.
“We have won numerous games this year with teams triple-teaming Sanchez and playing nine guys behind the ball. We can play a lot of different styles and be effective.”
Lane stands in the way. They have their own history to call on. IN the rare role as underdogs this time, they hope it is enough.
“Lane has a great history of always getting into the final,” said midfielder Jose Mendiola, who scored against Taft Tuesday.
“We have school pride, a lot of grit, and we worked hard.”