Mihalapoulos on the mark for Huntley
Niko Mihalapoulos sparkled, and visiting DeKalb ultimately proved no match for their clinical Huntley opponents Saturday in nonconference boys soccer action at Huntley.
The Red Raiders stayed near perfect after an impressive 3-1 victory Saturday afternoon on the Red Raiders’ new turf.
Fresh from a 5-goal week, including a hat-trick Thursday in a 7-0 FVC triumph over Jacobs, Mihalapoulos was the architect in the eventual game-winner by Eduardo Gonzalez in the 50th minute before he put away a quality Barbs (8-2-0) side with a filthy blast two minutes later to end the hopes of Brent McIntosh’s club.
“It was a little too much Niko today, and not enough defending on our part (but) a real good test for our guys, who hope to meet up with Huntley later on in October during the state tournament,” said the Barbs’ head coach of the top club in the NI-Big 12 East.
“I’m glad we don’t have to defend Niko,” said Red Raiders’ co-captain, Jakub Rys, who along with back line mates Angel Sanchez and Manuel Menjivar have celebrated 55 goals this season by Mihalapoulos, Gonzalez, and company, while conceding just 7 thus far.
A lively, and spirited opening half-hour saw both sides come to play, with McIntosh keeping fresh legs coming and going in an effort to keep pace with a Red Raiders attack that plays quick possession soccer, using width, and its back line as well to push the attack, and add numbers.
The homeside enjoyed 70 percent of the possession for most of the first period, with Jack Bessey running the show out of the middle, with Reyman Solis, Jaime Quintana, Aaron Koterbski and Gonzalez each providing plenty of pace and creativity to keep the Barbs at bay.
“This is a team which has been together for quite awhile, and most of the guys can play just about anywhere, which is a testament to the hard work they all have put in, and the technical skill each has,” offered Huntley head coach Kris Grabner, whose team is now 14-1-1.
When Rys had to come off to have a minor injury attended to, Grabner brought on Amir Dajani, and in less than 10 minutes the senior provided a brilliant serve from the left side which led to an own goal, when his left-footer caused a Barbs’ defender to redirect past a helpless keeper, Owen Sawyer.
The visitors responded instantly, however, when their talented striker, Akim Suraji, unloaded a wind-aided 35-yard freekick blast which skidded off the post and over the endline to pull DeKalb even at the half-hour.
The Red Raiders were thrown a lifeline on either side of the half with penalty kick opportunities but both Sawyer and second-half keeper Joey Laudicina turned away each spot-kick from Gonzalez.
“I am glad those PKs didn’t impact the eventual outcome, because neither call warranted a PK chance for us,” admitted Grabner.
Gonzalez and Mihalapoulos lifted the Red Raiders’ fans out of their seats in the 50th minute when the two combined to give the home side the lead for good. A little magic from Mihalapoulos along the near end line freed the senior from his mark, allowing him to put a perfect ball onto the shooting boot of Gonzalez, who didn’t miss from in close.
An outstanding individual effort from David Pardo on a run-and-carry up the right side led to Mihalapoulos bending the back of the net out of shape with his 20-yard bomb at 52 minutes.
“Morton is the best club we’ve played so far, but DeKalb’s heart, work rate and physical play made for a very difficult, and hard-fought 80 minutes tonight,” said Grabner.
Huntley is on the road on Tuesday at Cary-Grove, before hosting Elgin two days later.