IMSA gets first win at Christian Liberty
Krishi Korrapati scored the game-winner in the 97th minute to cap an exciting Thursday afternoon of soccer in Arlington Heights as Illinois Math and Science Academy (1-8-1, 1-0-0) earned its first victory of the season in grand style, stunning Christian Liberty Academy 5-4 in overtime.
"It was a long time coming, but I told you beforehand the guys have been getting better and better with each game, and today's win has to make everyone here feel good," said Titans coach Matt Wunderlich.
The teams had been on the pitch only eight minutes when junior Reid Fikejs scored the first of his three first-half goals to send the visitors on their way to what looked like an easy day.
Fikejs doubled the advantage in the 13th minute, then added another six minutes later with a wonderful touch over keeper Jack Matthews, who made a valiant stretch in an attempt to turn the well-aimed strike over the bar.
"It wasn't the start we wanted, but we've got a very young team (with 12 freshmen on the roster), and we haven't had everyone together for very long," said Christian Liberty first-year coach Eric Jaime. "But the boys never hung their heads or gave up, and after we got that first one, we played with a lot more confidence the rest of the way and had a chance to win until they scored right before the end of regulation."
The Chargers (2-6-0, 0-3-0) can take encouragement from the way they subdued their opponent for long parts of the first period, beginning with Josh Tolford's double just after the half-hour, and a nifty touch from freshman Jesse Castro, whose looping ball into the far inside netting tied it up in the 36th minute.
"We haven't had the lead (yet) this season, and I think the guys got a little over confident and kind of let up because it was all so new to them," said Wunderlich.
The second half settled in nicely after the 6-goal first-half explosion, with the best chances of the period falling first to IMSA when Fikejs and Zach Yager put teammate Julian Pacheo in on Matthews. The senior steered his attempt just wide in the 64th minute, and moments later Castro took a helper from Jon Patterson in close before spraying a shot over the bar.
Castro had another chance in the 76th minute when the Chargers created a corner, and the rookie took full advantage when he thumped a header into the back of the net.
However, an own goal off of long free kick just inside the mid-line from David Kodma in the 80th minute sent this match into the first of two sudden-victory sessions.
The first real chance came three minutes from time with Korrapati earning the game-winner when he took a ball out of the air from a Fikejs corner and smashed in a shot from just inside the edge.
"It was a very good game and effort from our team - the only thing we didn't do was win in the end," said Jaime. "We've played well in our last three games, and I expect us to continue to improve and get better from here on out."