Warren tops Stevenson for Glenbrook South title

A simple cross turned into an important goal for Sean Kirwan and Warren’s boys soccer team.

Kirwan ended up with the game-winning goal to lift Warren past rival Stevenson 2-0 for the championship of the Glenbrook South Invitational in Glenview Saturday.

“I just thought about hitting the ball on a cross into a dangerous spot and seeing what was there,” Kirwan said. “If I can’t find anyone, I just hit one across and hope someone puts it in.”

Kirwan’s cross in the 55th minute went off a Stevenson defender and found the back of the net. It was Kirwan’s first goal of the season and gave the Blue Devils a 1-0 lead.

“When you score the first one, then more just keep on coming,” Kirwan said. “This team just keeps working together.”

About five minutes later, Nick Wegrznowicz headed home Kirwan’s pass for a 2-0 advantage.

Warren has started the season with four straight victories after a great run at the end of last season that resulted in a fourth-place finish in Class 3A.

“It’s tough,” Warren coach Jason Ahonen said. “It’s hot, and windy at times. The boys played well at times, especially early in the games.

“It was one of those days when, if you put enough pressure, something will happen. (Stevenson) was defensive-minded. We had to understand what they were doing. Once we got the first one, we were able to get another one to finish.”

Blue Devils keeper RJ Hill earned the clean sheet, making 5 saves. He got help in the back from Ben Skelton, Chris Travis, Elijah Parker and Timmy Pieper.

Stevenson (4-1, 3-1) had held its first four opponents without a goal.

“Holding teams without a goal was pretty awesome,” Stevenson coach Mark Schartner said. “Getting off to this kind of a start is unbelievable (considering) what we lost from last year.”

Patriots keeper Quentin Low made 7 stops.

Stevenson will take on Warren in North Suburban Lake Division play Friday night in Gurnee at the O’Plaine campus.