Schaumburg tops BG for MSL Cup
Who could argue with Schaumburg's place atop Mid-Suburban League boys soccer?
The 39th MSL Cup ended up in the hands of the Saxons after an impressive 2-0 victory Thursday night against visiting Buffalo Grove before a big Gary Scholz Stadium home crowd.
Sensational second-half goals from Niko Davis and Alexis Flores, coupled with all-star midfield performances from Jessie Lopez and Jason Schoo gave coach Hamid Mehreioskouei's program their first league title since 1996.
"You don't realize how hard it is to win this thing here in the MSL," said a relieved and proud Mehreioskouei long after his players had spent nearly 20 minutes celebrating the lifting of the trophy with family, friends and fans. "I feel very fortunate to have been a player on our 1995 and 1996 championship teams, and now as coach, and I can tell you that I am so happy for all of the boys, and the program, for this terrific achievement tonight."
With a defense built around keeper Edgar Avila and the trio of Andrew Ralston, Andrew Bird and Davis, the Saxons (17-2-0) defended as well as anyone around. In fact, the Saxons conceded not a single goal this season on their home turf.
"This was our last home game of the season, and we stayed clean with this shutout tonight, which really said a lot about everyone back there who against Buffalo Grove on this night didn't allow anything real dangerous at Edgar," said Mehreioskouei.
A hard-fought affair saw little in the way of attacking soccer during the first quarter-hour, with the best chance coming at eight minutes as Bison captain Ryan Drum unloaded a 45-yard wind-strong free kick directly at Avila. Later, Schaumburg's Flores struck a brave 25-yard shot, drawing oohs and ahhs from the audience as his left-footer veered wide.
"I think both teams were a little nervous at the start, but I know for us, once we settled in most of the play would be ours," said Schaumburg midfielder Jason Schoo, who helped the hosts win the 50-50 battle in the middle of the park.
"Schoo was unbelievable," said Buffalo Grove coach Brad Abel. "He must have won 99 percent of the first balls in the air. Tonight you saw why both he and Jessie (Lopez) are all-state players, as they clearly were the difference on a Schaumburg team which is the best in the conference and a well-deserving champion."
"We knew going in that we would have our hands full and what to expect," said BG's Drum, "but we fought hard and pressured them until that first goal came. Then things began to turn in their favor, and we had a tough time afterward."
Drum, who along with teammate Hans Haller, drew high praise from Abel for their 80-minute performance on the big stage.
The creative genius of Lopez, now a two-time all-stater, helped the Saxons carve out several chances during the final quarter-hour before intermission.
Bison keeper Daniel Sempoch was quite active in this stretch, turning a Lopez attempt around the back post before denying another half-chance from Lopez and seeing Edward Gomez driving an 18-yard left-footer wide.
But the Bison (12-6-2) were unable to hold off their hosts much longer. And when Davis took down a loose ball at 30 yards and unloaded a wicked volley into the back of the net in the 46th minute, the Saxons' faithful erupted.
"The ball just fell to my foot, and I was able to get a really good shot off from it," said Davis, who while stationed in front of the Saxons' back four was a key figure in limiting the dynamic duo of Drew Brauner and Colin Doyle for most of the contest.
"We knew once we got that first one, we could get one or two more, so our attack just opened up after Niko's goal until Alexis scored his goal for us," Schoo said.
Lopez came close when he rattled the bar after Bird and Nick Marino did some fine preliminary work to set him free.
Haller collided with Avila on a 50-50 challenge just at the edge at 61 minutes as both sides held their breath, waiting for the players to get up off the turf.
Drum sent Alex Alfaro up the right side with a well-paced free kick, but Freddy Arreola reacted well to the dead-ball play and tackled Alfaro before the junior midfielder could collect and serve into the box in the 72nd minute.
In a moment of brilliance, Flores doubled the Saxons' lead when he collected a powerful header from Schoo, then tricked his way free before raking an unstoppable strike from 25 yards.
"It's a tough loss, and the guys are disappointed, but we left everything we had out on the pitch tonight, and we were beaten by the better team," said Abel. "Next week starts a new season with the state playoffs, and that's where we'll turn our attention."
Lopez, Schoo and Davis gathered for a brief post-match interview, with Lopez, who was named MSL West player of the year, summing up the night simply: "I am so proud of my teammates for what we accomplished tonight, and for me, all of this is just amazing."