Leyden fires back, edges Fenton
Three unanswered goals, including two in the second half from Leyden, was enough to get the Eagles past visiting Fenton 3-2 on a wet, cold Saturday morning nonconference contest in Northlake.
Leyden (8-5-3) had its hands full with coach David Alvarez's fine Class 2A club, falling behind on a brilliant strike from Alexis Mendoza before getting a tying goal just before intermission and going on to win its third straight game.
"I felt in the first 20-25 minutes, we had the better of the game, and almost all of the run of play, taking the lead on Alexis' great goal to help us put Leyden under pressure from the start," said Alvarez. "But it's tough giving up the equalizer right just before the break, and worse to come out flat for the second half."
The Bison (8-4-1), who started the toughest stretch of their schedule at Leyden, with 3A state powers Benet, Lyons Township, Hinsdale Central and Lake Park plus undefeated 2A giant St. Joseph all on deck - appeared ready to send another quality 3A team reeling after the strong start.
"They were a really good team, with a lot of skilled players, and we struggled to get going until late in the first half," said Leyden captain Hector Herrera, who leads the Eagles' defense. "Our back line has been very good, and that's where most of our experience is also."
Herrera and Cesar Franco help lead a Leyden defense that has conceded just 15 goals in 16 games, allowing more than 3 just once.
But Leyden couldn't stop Mendoza from unloading a 30-yard bending bomb which went off of the bar and into the back of the net at 21 minutes.
"Nobody could have done nothing with that shot, it was unreal," Alvarez said.
The Bison were able to stretch the Eagles in their own end in an attempt to beat a high, tight line. Mendoza, Juan Ayala and David Ortega were a constant thorn in the side of the hosts.
Leyden coach Mark Valintis called upon a trio of sophomores as he rested a handful of injured players. One of the youngsters paid immediate dividends when Kristian Havran help create Angel Lopez's goal to bring the Eagles level. The sophomore brought down a looping ball, and on the turn gave Lopez a nice early ball down the right side. Lopez ran onto it before driving a low shot past the outstretched gloves of Fenton keeper Bryant Villegas.
After Ortega was unable to beat a charging Alfredo Recendez, who came off his line to stop the chance, the Eagles soon went in front for good when a long throw from Christian Sosnowski found Miguel Mireles to double the Leyden advantage at 47 minutes.
"Three different situations we didn't do well at - and we were punished for each one of them," said Alvarez. "We didn't mark tightly enough on that first goal, and their guy turns and finds his teammate.
"We didn't defend that throw at all, and we got caught napping, and another one goes into the back of our net. Then it looked like an own goal was their third goal. Maybe if Ortega buries his chance when he was in alone in the first half, things are different. But when you're playing a quality team like Leyden, you're going to pay for your mistakes."
At first glance, it appeared David Senk would be credited with the goal at 58 minutes after his close-range strike, a goal which was the actual game-winner when and nice run and carry across the 18 ended with Juan Ayala going in just under the bar in the 77th minute.
"(Alvarez) is a terrific coach, and gentlemen, and he's done a very good job with Fenton, and we wish him and his team the best of luck in the 2A state tournament," said Valintis. "For us, we'll look to get ready for senior night this Tuesday against Downers Grove South, then Lyons on Thursday. But our real focus is to get ourselves healthy, physically and mentally for regionals in two weeks."
"We played top-ranked Morton, also our conference champ, really well for 80 minutes, before running out of gas in the 86th minute when they got the game-winner. We can play with the best, but we've got be at our best, and healthy at the same time."
Leyden earned the No. 5 seed in the Niles North sectional, and will open postseason play on Oct. 21 against No. 12 Chicago Schurz in the Glenbrook South regional.