Nice mix has Hoffman eyeing enjoyable season
Keep an eye on Hoffman Estates' boys soccer team this fall.
Armed with plenty of young talent and a blend of veterans as well, the Hawks appear to be ready to make their presence felt before the Mid-Suburban League finishes up in mid-October.
Tuesday night at Elk Grove, striker Omar Sanchez's 2 goals helped fire the Hawks (3-2-0, 2-0-0) to a 4-1 victory over the host Grens in an MSL soccer crossover match.
"This team has a lot of talent, young talent, and it's a lot of fun playing," said Hawks senior captain Brian Neu, who recorded an assist on the second Sanchez strike, and on teammate Brad Powszok's goal in the 78th minute. "Now we just have to continue to improve each time we come out and play."
"Coach (Matt Sriver) challenged all of us after a disappointing 2-2 draw with York last weekend to not let a match like that get away from us again."
The visitors were rarely threatened in the first half hour of play as the Hawks' midfield dominated most of the first half.
When it wasn't Neu, recent transfer Salin Golotic or sophomore Reona Oishi getting touches in the middle, it was the work of Sanchez, freshman Sishuh Zerihun and another sophomore, Powszok, rounding off some well-worked moves up top.
"When we play combination (soccer) and unselfish possession, we can be very good and a lot of fun to watch," began Sriver. "When we don't, we can struggle and our inexperience shows."
A sequence near the quarter-hour mark proved just that. Elk Grove senior's Anthony Vasquez and Robert Pechacek each had a go from close range, with defender Brian Dussard blocking a potential goal by Pechacek.
Moments later, Grens co-captain Billy Hubly unloaded a blast from 25 yards which partially deflected off a Hawks defender before rattling the frame.
Just before intermission, Grens keeper Andy Larson brilliantly stopped Neu on a penalty kick and Powszok on a rebound to keep things even after 40 minutes.
Hubly gave the Grens (1-5-0, 0-3-0) the lead after being sent through by Pechacek up the left side. The Hawks answered four minutes later when a Dussard serve from the right side went through a pair of Elk Grove defenders and onto the foot of an unmarked Sanchez.
The Hawks went ahead when Zerihun, on a superb individual run, carried up the center channel in the 58th minute.
A neat flick by Powszok highlighted Sanchez' second goal of the evening at 68 minutes.
Junior Sebastian Kieruzal recorded the victory in goal, stopping both Vasquez and Pechacek during the second-half to keep the Grens off the scoreboard.
Other Games
Meadows 1, Palatine 0: Chris Olson's second-half goal assisted by Saul Baylon was all the host Mustangs would need in their MSL crossover win with Palatine.
Schaumburg 5, Hersey 0: Schaumburg exploded with 4 goals in the second half as the Saxons (4-2-1) rolled by Hersey in the MSL crossover. Tim Piotrowski and Lucas Portuese scored 2 goals apiece for the Saxobs while teammate Jordan Sandberg made 5 saves.
Wheeling 1, Bartlett 0: The Wildcats improved to 6-4 first-half goal in nonconference action. Tom Lupa got the shutout with 4 saves.
St. Viator 5, St. Joseph 0: Victor Mendoza scored 2 goals and had 2 assists to lead the host Lions in the East Suburban Catholic. Keeper Jonathan Harris made 3 saves.
Barrington 2, Buffalo Grove 0: Barrington (7-1) got by the Bison in the MSL crossover with goals in the second half by Ryan Mangone and Ata Ozbay.
Conant 6, Prospect 1: Zach Raetzman scored twice for host Conant (7-1) in its MSL crossover win over Prospect.