Glenbard North wins Addison Trail Invite

The numbers Addison Trail has posted so far this boys soccer season would be difficult for any opponent to stomach.

That didn't stop Glenbard North's Livre Emena from using his belly to beat those same Blazers, though.

Emena's goal midway through the first half was all that the Panthers needed as they earned a 2-0 victory against the previously undefeated Blazers in Saturday's Addison Trail Invite championship.

The Blazers had outscored their prior four opponents 21-0.

"We've always been a defensive squad, but we'd given up too many goals early on," Panthers coach Gregg Koeller said. "I knew we had to tighten up the defense and we did. That was the key to the game."

Emena scored with 19:13 remaining in the first half, using his chest to secure possession and set himself up for the game-winning shot.

"It hit me in the tummy and I just went at the goal with it," Emena said. "My intention is to get the ball with whatever part of my body I can."

It was Emena's fifth goal already this season.

"As an outside midfielder, I try to anticipate the play on the outside," he said. "I always try to be the last ball. That's how I got most of my goals last fall."

Addison Trail (4-1) had some scoring chances, most coming from junior forwards Enrique Luna and Tomasz Kania, but many were contested and from difficult angles and distances.

"We fell behind early, and hadn't given up a goal all season, so it was kind of a different spot for us," Blazers coach Ryan Dini said. "We just couldn't get it past their keeper. (We were) kind of settling for farther shots than we're used to instead of trying to get it a little closer."

Glenbard North (4-0) had something to do with that as well. Goalkeeper Nathan Chalus, who was coming off an injury, made some big saves, especially early, while Daniel Jaimes and Miki Ramirez anchored a strong effort from the back line.

The Panthers also got a huge defensive save from Isaya Ebengo, who kicked away a shot from Kania that would've been the equalizer with 10:15 left in the first half.

"I'm just glad that we came out and performed well," Chalus said. "We got a lot of the shots they had and our defense shut them down early. We work on defense a lot and in my opinion it's the most important position on the field. They make my job a whole lot easier."

Senior Gio Duenas gave the Panthers some breathing room late, rolling in a goal with 5:26 remaining.

Duenas cut across the top of the penalty area and his shot went untouched from 15 yards away.

Both teams now turn their attention to conference with huge matches set for Tuesday.

Addison Trail heads to Morton while Glenbard North hosts Naperville Central.

"We'll see (games) like this every night in the DVC," Koeller said. "This showed that what we're doing is working and the kids are buying in."