Streamwood-Elgin renew big-time rivalry
Match figures to be prime piece of Upstate 8 title puzzle
By Steve Nemeth
“We’re going for the win and so are they,” Streamwood tri-captain Jesus Limon admitted. “A tie wouldn’t even feel better than a loss.”
Such honesty trumps the idea of “bulletin board material” when it comes to Wednesday’s 4:30 p.m. Upstate Eight Conference showdown at Elgin.
The host Maroons (8-1-1, 4-0-0), ranked no. 10 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, and visiting no. 17 Sabres (8-3-0, 1-0-0) know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, know what’s at stake, but most importantly know there will be intense competitive.
Why? Let’s use a David Lettermen Top 10.
1 – They’re U-46 district schools located three miles apart -– or anywhere from nine to 59 minutes depending on the time of day and traffic.
2 – Elgin – plus Larkin and East Aurora were among the charter schools of the Upstate Eight Conference when it formed in 1963. Streamwood has also known no other league since its addition in 1979.
3 – As is once again the case this year, soccer is the more successful fall sport for both schools, so a solid and vocal turnout is anticipated in the stands.
4 – Granted schedule-making can create odd scenarios, but this match will have a pivotal impact on the conference race. Last fall was the final year of a two-division structure for the UEC and with no crossover meeting; Elgin won the River Division and West Aurora the Valley Division. That made the Maroons and Blackhawks co-favorites for this season’s top-to-bottom marathon with Streamwood and Glenbard East as lean-ins for first place.
5 – There are currently three undefeated teams in the league: Elgin at 4-0-0; West Aurora at 3-0-0; and Streamwood at 1-0-0. The Sabres just played their opening UEC contest two nights before (a 1-0 victory at loop newcomer Glenbard South). Both Elgin and Streamwood have October dates with the Blackhawks – currently set at no. 11 in the Top 25.
6 – Streamwood’s hopes for a 2017 division title were thwarted when Elgin held on for a 1-1 draw at Millennium Field. Goals came from standouts for both teams, the Sabres’ Aldo Lazarro with just under four minutes left and Omar Lopez for the Maroons six minutes prior to halftime.
7 – That outcome became part of a protest from Hampshire and Streamwood that raised questions regarding Lopez's alleged participation in non-school competition during the IHSA season. The Maroons' scoring leader's name appeared on the Elgin Pumas Soccer Club roster. An investigation by the U-46 superintendent’s office ended when the Pumas said Lopez did not play and his jersey number was entered because of a computer error.
8 – Earning a no. 2 seed within a 19-school sectional, Elgin was upset by Hampshire in a regional championship match decided by a shootout. That ended an extremely promising year for the Maroons, who finished at 15-3-3. The 11th-seeded Whip-purs were then knocked out (1-0) in the sectional semifinal by Streamwood. Unfortunately for the Sabres, their year would end (14-6-2) in the sectional title match (1-0) thanks to Jacobs, which in turn lost to eventual fourth place finshers St. Charles North.
9 – Although the two sides narrowly missed a rematch in the 2017 postseason, it’s once again a possibility in 2018 with both schools assigned to this year’s Hampshire Sectional structure.
10 – Stars, past and present. Streamwood’s graduation losses included Chicagoland Soccer and IHSSCA All-State forward pick Aldo Lazarro along with All-Section 3 honorees defender Rafa Gil and goalie Danny Dominguez. Those three plus Bryan Mora earned UEC All-River acclaim while that unit included Elgin grads in midfielder Jesus Lopez and defender Anthony Zavala. However, the Maroons’ other two all-conference players are back, goalie Martin Jimenez and forward Lopez, the latter being another Chicagoland Soccer All-State honoree.
Both rosters have a plethora of seniors -- 15 of 24 for Elgin and 8 of 19 for Streamwood. The historical incentive seems to lie with the Maroons. In addition to last year’s draw, Elgin believes it is due considering a 4-0 loss when Streamwood visited in 2016 and another 1-1 tie the year before back at the Sabres’ Millenium Field.
“It’s like the majority of all-time meetings, high intensity because the guys know each other so well whether playing pick-up games since their youth or being teammates or opponents in off-season leagues,” veteran Elgin coach David Borg said. “We know they’re extremely fast, and the teams are close enough where maybe one mistake decides it. So the team better able to control and harness their emotions can come out on top.”
Elgin is currently on a six-match unbeaten string (5-0-1) having blanked East Aurora 4-0 two days before plus a 5-2 weekend triumph over Hampshire. The later being indicative of Borg’s contention his squad is focused.
“We worry about the game in front of us, but maybe Hampshire was one of two on the calendar that was circled,” Borg reluctantly admitted. “We didn’t want to get caught up in any (revenge) emotions, so we downplayed the outcome. We got the win which meant we took care of business for that day.”
Although the IHSA mandates that soccer coaches must provide match results on MaxPreps, there is no obligation to post individual goals, assists, etc., so the service’s statistical leaders can’t be declared official. However, among the schools throughout the state who are willing to enter individual information, Lopez’s team-best 22 goals makes him the state’s top scorer in Class 3A. Throw-in Class A and AA programs and Lopez is number eight.
“We expect he’ll be double-teamed or as some have done, triple-teamed. That’s okay because we’ve done some things to keep scoring. We’ve got nine others with goals,” Borg noted.
No question about that. Through 10 matches Elgin is averaging 3.9 goals while yielding 1.2. The team boasts four shutouts for goalie Martin Jimenez. For Streamwood, the numbers may skew slightly toward the defense. The Sabres also have four clean-sheets but surrender 0.91 goals per match while the offense averages. 2.09. Three shutouts belong to Hector Alfaro and one to Antonio Herrera.
In addition to Lopez, Elgin has game-winning goals from Rafael Perez, Jesus Millan, Ramon Orozaco, Eric Villa and Alex Kunicki. Ironically, the Maroons’ only stumble was a shootout loss to Downers Grove North in a group play finale in the St. Charles Tournament. Elgin rebounded from that with a solid 3-1 championship victory over tourney co-host St. Charles North.
No surprise, Streamwood has also added to its trophy case with an in-season tourney memento having beaten Mount Carmel (1-0) to win the Barrington Classic. That’s one of two 1-0 victories for the Sabres who have come up on the short side of that score in two matches; versus then no. 6 Crystal Lake South and no. 4 Morton.
Strangely enough, there are no common opponents at this point. Obviously by the end of the UEC race there will be nine.
“Any meeting between the two is intense, always entertaining,” Streamwood coach Matt Polovin said. “On the field they’ll fight hard for a win, off the field, they know each other, hang around soccer and can be friends.
“All the stats provide nothing but theories. Our last match the score was 1-0 (vs. Glenbard South), but the possession was probably 80 percent us. We’ve also been moving some people around, plus we both know we could see each other again in the playoffs. Right now we share the goal of wanting to win a conference title,” Polovin added.
Alex Chavez and Limon shared the team lead in goals with six apiece, but the Sabres’ line-up has goals from six others. Although not always found on the score sheet, Streamwood has two players who impact matches in senior midfielder Mora and defender Jose Ibarra. The later was one of the few freshmen to make Chicagoland Soccer’s 2017 All-State Watch List in 2017.
Match figures to be prime piece of Upstate 8 title puzzle
By Steve Nemeth
“We’re going for the win and so are they,” Streamwood tri-captain Jesus Limon admitted. “A tie wouldn’t even feel better than a loss.”
Such honesty trumps the idea of “bulletin board material” when it comes to Wednesday’s 4:30 p.m. Upstate Eight Conference showdown at Elgin.
The host Maroons (8-1-1, 4-0-0), ranked no. 10 in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, and visiting no. 17 Sabres (8-3-0, 1-0-0) know each other’s strengths and weaknesses, know what’s at stake, but most importantly know there will be intense competitive.
Why? Let’s use a David Lettermen Top 10.
1 – They’re U-46 district schools located three miles apart -– or anywhere from nine to 59 minutes depending on the time of day and traffic.
2 – Elgin – plus Larkin and East Aurora were among the charter schools of the Upstate Eight Conference when it formed in 1963. Streamwood has also known no other league since its addition in 1979.
3 – As is once again the case this year, soccer is the more successful fall sport for both schools, so a solid and vocal turnout is anticipated in the stands.
4 – Granted schedule-making can create odd scenarios, but this match will have a pivotal impact on the conference race. Last fall was the final year of a two-division structure for the UEC and with no crossover meeting; Elgin won the River Division and West Aurora the Valley Division. That made the Maroons and Blackhawks co-favorites for this season’s top-to-bottom marathon with Streamwood and Glenbard East as lean-ins for first place.
5 – There are currently three undefeated teams in the league: Elgin at 4-0-0; West Aurora at 3-0-0; and Streamwood at 1-0-0. The Sabres just played their opening UEC contest two nights before (a 1-0 victory at loop newcomer Glenbard South). Both Elgin and Streamwood have October dates with the Blackhawks – currently set at no. 11 in the Top 25.
6 – Streamwood’s hopes for a 2017 division title were thwarted when Elgin held on for a 1-1 draw at Millennium Field. Goals came from standouts for both teams, the Sabres’ Aldo Lazarro with just under four minutes left and Omar Lopez for the Maroons six minutes prior to halftime.
7 – That outcome became part of a protest from Hampshire and Streamwood that raised questions regarding Lopez's alleged participation in non-school competition during the IHSA season. The Maroons' scoring leader's name appeared on the Elgin Pumas Soccer Club roster. An investigation by the U-46 superintendent’s office ended when the Pumas said Lopez did not play and his jersey number was entered because of a computer error.
8 – Earning a no. 2 seed within a 19-school sectional, Elgin was upset by Hampshire in a regional championship match decided by a shootout. That ended an extremely promising year for the Maroons, who finished at 15-3-3. The 11th-seeded Whip-purs were then knocked out (1-0) in the sectional semifinal by Streamwood. Unfortunately for the Sabres, their year would end (14-6-2) in the sectional title match (1-0) thanks to Jacobs, which in turn lost to eventual fourth place finshers St. Charles North.
9 – Although the two sides narrowly missed a rematch in the 2017 postseason, it’s once again a possibility in 2018 with both schools assigned to this year’s Hampshire Sectional structure.
10 – Stars, past and present. Streamwood’s graduation losses included Chicagoland Soccer and IHSSCA All-State forward pick Aldo Lazarro along with All-Section 3 honorees defender Rafa Gil and goalie Danny Dominguez. Those three plus Bryan Mora earned UEC All-River acclaim while that unit included Elgin grads in midfielder Jesus Lopez and defender Anthony Zavala. However, the Maroons’ other two all-conference players are back, goalie Martin Jimenez and forward Lopez, the latter being another Chicagoland Soccer All-State honoree.
Both rosters have a plethora of seniors -- 15 of 24 for Elgin and 8 of 19 for Streamwood. The historical incentive seems to lie with the Maroons. In addition to last year’s draw, Elgin believes it is due considering a 4-0 loss when Streamwood visited in 2016 and another 1-1 tie the year before back at the Sabres’ Millenium Field.
“It’s like the majority of all-time meetings, high intensity because the guys know each other so well whether playing pick-up games since their youth or being teammates or opponents in off-season leagues,” veteran Elgin coach David Borg said. “We know they’re extremely fast, and the teams are close enough where maybe one mistake decides it. So the team better able to control and harness their emotions can come out on top.”
Elgin is currently on a six-match unbeaten string (5-0-1) having blanked East Aurora 4-0 two days before plus a 5-2 weekend triumph over Hampshire. The later being indicative of Borg’s contention his squad is focused.
“We worry about the game in front of us, but maybe Hampshire was one of two on the calendar that was circled,” Borg reluctantly admitted. “We didn’t want to get caught up in any (revenge) emotions, so we downplayed the outcome. We got the win which meant we took care of business for that day.”
Although the IHSA mandates that soccer coaches must provide match results on MaxPreps, there is no obligation to post individual goals, assists, etc., so the service’s statistical leaders can’t be declared official. However, among the schools throughout the state who are willing to enter individual information, Lopez’s team-best 22 goals makes him the state’s top scorer in Class 3A. Throw-in Class A and AA programs and Lopez is number eight.
“We expect he’ll be double-teamed or as some have done, triple-teamed. That’s okay because we’ve done some things to keep scoring. We’ve got nine others with goals,” Borg noted.
No question about that. Through 10 matches Elgin is averaging 3.9 goals while yielding 1.2. The team boasts four shutouts for goalie Martin Jimenez. For Streamwood, the numbers may skew slightly toward the defense. The Sabres also have four clean-sheets but surrender 0.91 goals per match while the offense averages. 2.09. Three shutouts belong to Hector Alfaro and one to Antonio Herrera.
In addition to Lopez, Elgin has game-winning goals from Rafael Perez, Jesus Millan, Ramon Orozaco, Eric Villa and Alex Kunicki. Ironically, the Maroons’ only stumble was a shootout loss to Downers Grove North in a group play finale in the St. Charles Tournament. Elgin rebounded from that with a solid 3-1 championship victory over tourney co-host St. Charles North.
No surprise, Streamwood has also added to its trophy case with an in-season tourney memento having beaten Mount Carmel (1-0) to win the Barrington Classic. That’s one of two 1-0 victories for the Sabres who have come up on the short side of that score in two matches; versus then no. 6 Crystal Lake South and no. 4 Morton.
Strangely enough, there are no common opponents at this point. Obviously by the end of the UEC race there will be nine.
“Any meeting between the two is intense, always entertaining,” Streamwood coach Matt Polovin said. “On the field they’ll fight hard for a win, off the field, they know each other, hang around soccer and can be friends.
“All the stats provide nothing but theories. Our last match the score was 1-0 (vs. Glenbard South), but the possession was probably 80 percent us. We’ve also been moving some people around, plus we both know we could see each other again in the playoffs. Right now we share the goal of wanting to win a conference title,” Polovin added.
Alex Chavez and Limon shared the team lead in goals with six apiece, but the Sabres’ line-up has goals from six others. Although not always found on the score sheet, Streamwood has two players who impact matches in senior midfielder Mora and defender Jose Ibarra. The later was one of the few freshmen to make Chicagoland Soccer’s 2017 All-State Watch List in 2017.