Main West 5, Prospect 3
David Contreras is a rotation guy.
On a roster filled with plenty of depth, the midfielder is an important piece in coach Mike Divincenzo's plan to keep everyone fresh for 80 minutes of soccer --with the hope that in the end it will make a difference.
On Friday night Contreras wasn't in at the very end, but the junior made his presence felt when it was needed the most.
Contreras scored the game-winning goal, a chip up and over Prospect keeper Eric VanDivier to break a 3-3 tie. Then Contreras watched with his teammates from the bench as Maine West defeated the Knights 5-3 to capture the Maine West Invite title on Friday night in Des Plaines.
"I would rather be playing a little more, but it sure felt good to make a big contribution tonight," said Contreras.
"Last year David was a starter for us. But we're so deep this season, it just makes sense right now for us to get everyone involved and playing in the early going," said Divincenzo, who watched his club move to 5-0-0 on the season, and 11-0-2 in its last 13 matches on its home pitch.
It was an exhilarating night as fans witnessed an offensive onslaught of sorts which began just 60 seconds into the match when Warriors sophomore Pat Pliszka found the back of the net after David Puka initiated with the helper.
Some 17 minutes later, it was Puka again who earned credit for another assist after his well-placed free kick found an opportunistic Angel Herrera for the Warriors' second goal.
"I hope that we learned a lesson tonight about coming out, and playing strong right from the beginning," said Prospect coach Kurt Trenkle.
The Knights (3-1-0) were without starting sweeper Joe Colmone (knee injury), but sophomore Kyle Mataloni did a superb job in his place.
Tom Kujawa pulled the visitors within 1 when he raced in from the near post to one-time a rebound given up on a looping free-kick by Jose Legueur at 31 minutes.
From that point on until Kujawa helped his club draw even, the match was dominated by the Knights.
"We were chasing (on) defense and not knocking the ball around and getting everyone involved," said Divincenzo. "That's why we got ourselves in trouble."
After Emsad Zahirovic scored his sixth goal of the season to make it 3-1, and Adam Briggs drilled one in from the left side, Kujawa teamed with John Horstman to record a highlight film goal at 52 minutes.
Horstman's dazzling run and carry up the right flank led to the junior hitting a superb cross to the back post. Just prior to heading in the serve, Kujawa adjusted his body perfectly in the air to drive his shot in with authority.
Contreras caught VanDivier off his line just a bit too far before lifting his shot over the outstretched gloves of the senior to make it 4-3 in the 59th minute.
Frank Pulvino later drew a foul inside the box, with Herrera converting late to seal the Warriors second straight tournament championship.