Roundup (Saturday, September 15)
PepsiCo Showdown
Consolation pool
Addison Trail 3, Crystal Lake South 0
The Blazers used three first half goals to stun the Gators, who are ranked sixth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. Sophomore Anthony Hernandez recorded a brace and was joined in the scoring column by senior Julio Acosta. Melvin Mora and Eduardo Gomez notched assists. Keeper Sam Sandoval recorded his fifth shutout on the season for the Blazers (6-4-0). Goalkeeper Matt McCaleb provided the highlight for Crystal Lake South (9-2-1) with two saves and no goals allowed in one half of work.
Lyons 1, St. Patrick 1 (Lyons wins PKs 4-1)
Zach Christy scored in regulation for the Lions, who earned the shootout win. Lyons (7-4-0) is now on a season-best three-game win streak.
Streamwood 2, Fenwick 0
The eighth-ranked Sabres ended a two-game losing streak behind goals from Edwin Peralta (Bryan Mora assist), and Alex Chavez (Ethan Satsatin). Hector Alfaro did not need a save to earn the shutout for Streamwood (7-3-0).
Nonconference
Grayslake Central 1, Hersey 1
Jack Kulis scored on a first half PK, and Alexis Garcia Perez made six saves to lead the Rams (1-9-2) to the draw.
"With better finishing from both sides this one could've been 5-5 at the end," said Grayslake Central coach Tom Hamilton. "But I'm very proud of our boys for coming out and playing some great soccer against a top-level opponent after an exhausting week. We took some time to come together but the past couple games we've taken our intensity to a new level. We've improved so much since the start of the season, and I think the best is yet to come. We have two big conference matchups this week, so this should give us some confidence going into a crucial week."
Naperville North 1, Fremd 0
Naperville North has maintained the no. 1 spot atop the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 for the entire season. That will last into Week Five after Ty Konrad's stunning late goal helped the Huskies (10-0-0) claim a 1-0 victory over host Fremd.
Konrad decided the enthralling nonconference contest with his 71st-minute strike, but it was Christian Romano who would shine brighter than any other on a warm, sunny afternoon in Palatine.
The junior was brilliant in the middle of the park for manager Jim Konrad. He made several key interceptions, won a high percentage of first and second balls, and did all the dirty work needed in order to slow a Vikings (5-3-1) club which is halfway to earning a MSL West division title.
"We received big games from Ty as well as Tommy Welch, who made two big saves for us, but today, it was Christian who did everything we asked of him and more in the midfield for us," said Konrad before the team headed back home for Homecoming festivities.
"Fremd is a great team," Romero said. "They played quick and attacked from a lot of different places, which kept us under pressure in the first half.
"They pretty much owned the first half, but I feel like we came back after the break, cleared our minds, made a few changes, and played more like we all know we're capable of."
The Fremd attack ran rampant at times in the opening period with several counters created and some well-executed dead ball and set piece opportunities.
"We played our most complete game of the year, and even though taking a loss wasn't what we set out to do, I am very pleased and proud of the effort we gave from everywhere on the field today," said Fremd manager Steve Keller.
The best chance of the first half fell to the Huskies in the 21st minute when Ty Konrad played a nice ball to Colin Iverson, whose flick spilled free into the box and an opportunistic Patrick Koenig, who forced Vikings keeper Artur Cholewa into action.
Fremd's Russell Beaupre, Josh Bennett and Anthony Tambellini contributed to the Vikings' offensive show and helped the home side enjoy a bright start to the second half. Jake Schoffstall came close to finding the breakthrough goal.
Schoffstall watched Tommy Welch use all of his 6-foot-8 frame in full extension to push the close-range attempt by the Vikings centerback around the post.
This key moment in the match at 54 minutes signaled the beginning of an impressive 20 minutes of soccer from the Huskies, who would finally get back on their front foot.
"We got some things sorted out at the break, and we came out and played a second half of soccer that was more reminiscent of what we're capable of playing, and have thus far," said Konrad.
The Huskies came out on top on Ty Konrad's brilliant finish after a pass from Nata Rojas. Konrad tricked his way past a trio of defenders on his way to a 14-yard strike.
"(They) are a great team," said Keller. "They have talent all over, an incredible keeper, and plenty of speed. But we showed that we can play with maybe the best team in the state, and the nation's no. 2 team. So now the hope is we build from this effort today."
-- Mike Garofola
New Trier 4, Round Lake 0
Jake Krueger scored his first varsity goal, and Logan Weaver and Aidan Crowder each had a goal and an assist as the 10th-ranked Trevians extended their unbeaten streak to eight games. A goal from David Kugler (Colin Gorney assist) and a Sean Gooze helper completed the scoring. Goalie Jack McGranahan made six saves to earn the clean-sheet.
PepsiCo Showdown
Consolation pool
Addison Trail 3, Crystal Lake South 0
The Blazers used three first half goals to stun the Gators, who are ranked sixth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. Sophomore Anthony Hernandez recorded a brace and was joined in the scoring column by senior Julio Acosta. Melvin Mora and Eduardo Gomez notched assists. Keeper Sam Sandoval recorded his fifth shutout on the season for the Blazers (6-4-0). Goalkeeper Matt McCaleb provided the highlight for Crystal Lake South (9-2-1) with two saves and no goals allowed in one half of work.
Lyons 1, St. Patrick 1 (Lyons wins PKs 4-1)
Zach Christy scored in regulation for the Lions, who earned the shootout win. Lyons (7-4-0) is now on a season-best three-game win streak.
Streamwood 2, Fenwick 0
The eighth-ranked Sabres ended a two-game losing streak behind goals from Edwin Peralta (Bryan Mora assist), and Alex Chavez (Ethan Satsatin). Hector Alfaro did not need a save to earn the shutout for Streamwood (7-3-0).
Nonconference
Grayslake Central 1, Hersey 1
Jack Kulis scored on a first half PK, and Alexis Garcia Perez made six saves to lead the Rams (1-9-2) to the draw.
"With better finishing from both sides this one could've been 5-5 at the end," said Grayslake Central coach Tom Hamilton. "But I'm very proud of our boys for coming out and playing some great soccer against a top-level opponent after an exhausting week. We took some time to come together but the past couple games we've taken our intensity to a new level. We've improved so much since the start of the season, and I think the best is yet to come. We have two big conference matchups this week, so this should give us some confidence going into a crucial week."
Naperville North 1, Fremd 0
Naperville North has maintained the no. 1 spot atop the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 for the entire season. That will last into Week Five after Ty Konrad's stunning late goal helped the Huskies (10-0-0) claim a 1-0 victory over host Fremd.
Konrad decided the enthralling nonconference contest with his 71st-minute strike, but it was Christian Romano who would shine brighter than any other on a warm, sunny afternoon in Palatine.
The junior was brilliant in the middle of the park for manager Jim Konrad. He made several key interceptions, won a high percentage of first and second balls, and did all the dirty work needed in order to slow a Vikings (5-3-1) club which is halfway to earning a MSL West division title.
"We received big games from Ty as well as Tommy Welch, who made two big saves for us, but today, it was Christian who did everything we asked of him and more in the midfield for us," said Konrad before the team headed back home for Homecoming festivities.
"Fremd is a great team," Romero said. "They played quick and attacked from a lot of different places, which kept us under pressure in the first half.
"They pretty much owned the first half, but I feel like we came back after the break, cleared our minds, made a few changes, and played more like we all know we're capable of."
The Fremd attack ran rampant at times in the opening period with several counters created and some well-executed dead ball and set piece opportunities.
"We played our most complete game of the year, and even though taking a loss wasn't what we set out to do, I am very pleased and proud of the effort we gave from everywhere on the field today," said Fremd manager Steve Keller.
The best chance of the first half fell to the Huskies in the 21st minute when Ty Konrad played a nice ball to Colin Iverson, whose flick spilled free into the box and an opportunistic Patrick Koenig, who forced Vikings keeper Artur Cholewa into action.
Fremd's Russell Beaupre, Josh Bennett and Anthony Tambellini contributed to the Vikings' offensive show and helped the home side enjoy a bright start to the second half. Jake Schoffstall came close to finding the breakthrough goal.
Schoffstall watched Tommy Welch use all of his 6-foot-8 frame in full extension to push the close-range attempt by the Vikings centerback around the post.
This key moment in the match at 54 minutes signaled the beginning of an impressive 20 minutes of soccer from the Huskies, who would finally get back on their front foot.
"We got some things sorted out at the break, and we came out and played a second half of soccer that was more reminiscent of what we're capable of playing, and have thus far," said Konrad.
The Huskies came out on top on Ty Konrad's brilliant finish after a pass from Nata Rojas. Konrad tricked his way past a trio of defenders on his way to a 14-yard strike.
"(They) are a great team," said Keller. "They have talent all over, an incredible keeper, and plenty of speed. But we showed that we can play with maybe the best team in the state, and the nation's no. 2 team. So now the hope is we build from this effort today."
-- Mike Garofola
New Trier 4, Round Lake 0
Jake Krueger scored his first varsity goal, and Logan Weaver and Aidan Crowder each had a goal and an assist as the 10th-ranked Trevians extended their unbeaten streak to eight games. A goal from David Kugler (Colin Gorney assist) and a Sean Gooze helper completed the scoring. Goalie Jack McGranahan made six saves to earn the clean-sheet.