Broncos switch "mo" their way against WWS
Momentum can be so important in boys soccer. More so when it's against you.
That's why the first few minutes of the second half of Wednesday's game between tournament host Barrington and Wheaton Warrenville South was so important.
Just over 15 seconds in, the Tigers struck first on a goal by Nico Galto off Eric Shrigley's assist.
Unshaken, Cameron Reilly scored for the Broncos two minutes and leveled the field again.
Francesco Furio then broke through twice more for a 3-1 win that gave Barrington (3-0) a berth in Saturday's 6 p.m. tourney championship.
"You can't overstate how huge that is," said Barrington coach Scott Steib of Reilly's quick and tying goal. "It's immediate. It takes (away) anything that was in your head."
Furio's goals came with a penalty kick in the 50th minute and a header of Ata Ozbay's cross with 2:03 left.
"It was neck-to-neck most of the game," Furio said. "They came in the second half and scored. We had to bounce back. There was nothing we could do but fight. Everyone worked together and we came back as a team."
For the Tigers (3-1), Shrigley and Scott Larson had solid efforts. The two accounted for 7 shots on goal -- several times in combination.
Randall Babb made 5 saves for the Tigers in goal.
"I'm fairly happy -- it was a good result. I have much respect for (Wheaton Warrenville South)," said Steib, a rival and a friend of coach Guy Callipari.
Keeper Jack Deroche (7 saves) made a couple of flying stops to the Broncos ahead.
"Everyone played as great. I think everyone played as a team," Furio said. "I got 2 of the goals -- but I think that everyone was contributing. It not just me, I'm lucky to be on the end of it."
St. Viator 1, Leyden 1: Winless Leyden handed St. Viator a slight setback Wednesday afternoon with a 1-1 draw.
That makes today's 4:15 p.m. match with Loyola the Lions' most important of the three games in the 22nd annual Titan Invite hosted by Glenbrook South.
The 4 points the Lions (2-0-2) gained Wednesday puts them atop the Gold Division with 12 points overall, 2 ahead of Loyola and 4 over Stevenson, which defeated Loyola 1-0 earlier in the day.
Leyden (0-2-1) ends pool play today against Stevenson.
Leyden's tie finally gave new coach Mark Valintis something to smile about after his club dropped its first two matches.
"We haven't had everyone together (so) far and even today we were missing one of our top player in Rafal Zalewski, but I am very proud of the effort that we put forth against a real strong team like St. Viator," said Valintis. "It was a good result for us today."
The Eagles received a little bit of good luck just six minutes after Ryan Cortese gave the Lions the lead with a brilliant upper 90 strike 40 seconds after intermission.
Eddie Adame earned the equalizer on a dubious free-kick struck from the far right side that appeared to knuckle enough to give Jonathan Harris trouble at the near post.
The Lions' keeper did well to stop the low drive, but, unfortunately for the senior, the ball had just enough pace to find its way over the endline to be ruled a goal.
"We've given up only 3 goals so far this season, yet all have been real tough ones like that," said St. Viator head coach Mike Taylor.
The Eagles got a couple of key stops by keepers Omar Tariz and Gerardo Franco, who came on after the break.
Shane Owens used a burst of speed to turn the corner on the right side to free and in on Franco, but the Lions' midfielder drilled one wide of the near post with 12 minutes left.
Victor Mendoza was clearly the Lions' best player in its attack all match long.
Sweeper Matt Riggio, who was not able to go in Tuesday's 2-1 victory over Stevenson due to illness, answered the bell for Taylor, despite not being 100 percent.
The junior proved invaluable in the closing moments as he recorded a pair of daring tackles to slow potential breakaways.
-- Mike Garofola
Maine West 2, Latin 1: Host Maine West moved to 4-0 overall in its own tournament. Stewart Turner-Jackson and Julian Alvarado scored the goals for the Warriors as David Puka picked up both assists.
Prospect 2, Oak Park 1:ΠProspect improved to 3-0 with the Maine West tourney win.
The Knights will meet Maine West at 7 p.m. Friday for the championship.
Prospect goalkeeper Erik VanDivier made 9 saves while Tom Kujawa and Kyle Mataloni (penalty kick) had the Knights' goals.
Jose Legueur assisted on Kujawa's first-half goal.
>Boys golf
Dan Stringfellow shot a 34 to help St. Viator get by St. Patrick 144-150 in the East Suburban Catholic Conference dual at par-34 Old Orchard. Other Viator leaders were Brad Klune with a 35 and Matt Vitale with a 37.