Boys socccer: Crystal Lake South shuts out Streamwood
Alex Canfield inspired host Crystal Lake South to a deserved 1-0 victory Thursday afternoon over Streamwood in a nonconference boys soccer game at the Gators Soccer Park.
The sophomore grabbed the game-winner in the 68th minute to help decide an intense 80-minute game which, at times, had the feeling of a regional or sectional contest, witnessed by plenty of box-to-box action, and some terrific individual efforts on both sides of the ball.
"One of the reasons we have Streamwood on our schedule is because of their great skill and technical ability and you saw today just how good of a team they are and how playing a team like that will help us down the road and maybe in the postseason when the games really count for something," said Gators (2-0-0) head coach Brian Allen, whose club put eight on the scoreboard in its season opening victory over Hononegah.
"We had a lot of the play today and it was a good game, but we didn't play the way we can and should have," began Streamwood head coach Matt Polovin.
"With the way we play (fast and quick) we're a turf team for sure, and we probably struggled a little bit playing on grass today, but that's not an excuse either it's just something we'll have to work on."
The Sabres (1-1-0) had the home side under pressure from the opening whistle with its two best players, Aldo Lazaro and Rafa Gil, having the ball far too often if you were a Gators fan as the visitors enjoyed a high percentage of the possession.
"We knew coming in what they were capable of, and how much they liked to possess and knock the ball around, but our defense really did a good job of keeping them under control in the final third, and that maybe was the difference in this game today, "suggested Nikolas Getzinger, who along with his running mate Canfield were dynamic all throughout in the counter, which Polovin acknowledged proved troublesome all throughout.
Both keepers were sharp when called upon, and needed to be their absolute best when their teammates needed them to be.
"Our guy, Brandon Gorka was very good for us, making some key stops when things got a little dicey while their keeper (Daniel Dominguez) is a big, active player, who wasn't afraid of coming out to challenge, and that really helped him keep some chances under control," Allen said.
Gorka stopped the 2018 All-Stater Lazaro in the 40th minute after the senior tricked his way free into the box, while Dominguez rose up to swat or push a couple of dangerous corners which were set up off accurate long throws from Tommy Ciezadlo.
It was a communication breakdown along the back which allowed Canfield to strike when Dominguez and his back line were unable to work together on a ball sent into the area.
Canfield, who along with Getzinger provided superb pace and energy all day long, never stopped running and was rewarded for his effort when he navigated his attempt past Dominguez, who had come far off his line.
"We had some very good chances today in which we didn't finish, so that wasn't a good one to give up (but) it's past us, and now we move on," said Polovin, whose club now turns its attention to the high profile Barrington Classic next week and the four games it will play there.
"After we absorbed all of their early pressure, I thought we settled in really well today, with our back line really stepping up, and Alex getting a big goal, which he deserved after working so hard all afternoon," said Allen.