Lake Park overcomes Naperville North in OT
There was a little confusion about the overtime process Tuesday night, but there was no doubt at all that newcomer Lake Park is ready to fit in quite well in the DuPage Valley Conference.
The visiting Lancers (8-1-3), playing in their first season as a member of the DVC, pulled out a 1-0 overtime soccer victory over Naperville North after senior Mike Catalano scored the game’s only goal 5:34 into the first 10-minute overtime session. Catalano and some of his teammates thought the game might end in a 0-0 draw in regulation since their former conference — the Upstate Eight — did not play overtime in the regular season. On top of that, some others in attendance thought that two 10-minute extra sessions would be played regardless of whether any goals were scored.
But when the University of Wisconsin-bound Catalano ended the thriller by blasting a low shot that just did slip past Huskies goalkeeper Christian Robert, Lake Park was 3-0 in the DVC and Naperville North fell to 6-2-1 overall and 2-1 in league play.
“We’re just making a statement for our team. No one really knows Lake Park, and we’re taking on great teams and getting wins,” said Catalano, whose squad claimed top honors at the Prairie Ridge tourney last weekend. “That’s what it’s all about, making a name four ourself and getting some respect.”
There’s no question Lake Park and Catalano left Naperville North with plenty of respect. Huskies coach Steve Goletz was plenty impressed with what the visitors displayed.
“They’re a well-coached team, and that’s the best team we’ve played all year,” Goletz said. “Postionally all 11 players were solid on the field. But I’m also proud of our guys. I thought that they played a great game. But No. 10 (Catalano) is an absolute load. He’s an all-state type of kid, a Division I kind for a reason. You could see that all over the field.”
Lake Park had the better of the play in the first half with a shots-on-goal edge of 4-2. The Lancers came closest to scoring in regulation when Kevin Coria rocketed a shot off the crossbar with 17:30 left in the first half.
The Huskies, who have yet to allow a goal in regulation in their three DVC contests this fall, came out strong in the second half, but the Lancers defense still managed to limit the number of serious threats.
Lake Park then picked up its pressure late in regulation and the momentum seemed to carry over into OT. Lancers coach Tony Passi encouraged his squad to seize the moment and couldn’t have been more proud once they did.
“When it came to the end of the game I said guys, come on, it’s Naperville North, the DVC. Make a statement,” Passi said. “It was incredible. It was a team effort. A team victory.”
The Lancers, who played without injured midfielder Giovanni Ciaccio, will play St. Ignatius on Sunday to cap off a big week that includes Tuesday’s big win and the school’s homecoming dance Saturday.