Improved Wheeling earns winning position
Wheeling's mission to earn a healthy position in the Mid-Suburban League standings took a step forward Tuesday when the Wildcats defeated host Prospect 5-2 in an exciting OT Match which saw junior Abraham Soto strike for 3 goals in extra time to help fuel the win.
In a season which has seen surprise efforts and results from the Knights as well as MSL West upstart Hoffman Estates, no club in the league can compare to Wheeling when it comes to the number of rookies experiencing success.
After their defeat of Prospect, the Wildcats, who over the past two seasons have totaled just 9 wins in that span, moved their record to 8-6-0 overall and 2-2-0 in the MSL.
"There have been a lot of signs that we're beginning to come around as a team, as well as program," said Wheeling coach Ed Uhrik, now in his fourth year at the helm. "We've had an especially tough stretch in our schedule, but the guys showed they could come back from a tough loss or two during that time, and that's something we have not been able to do the past couple of seasons."
Of the 20 on Uhrik's current roster, 13 are first-year players -- including Soto and junior David Aranda, who was moved up late last season and has since anchored the sweeper spot like a veteran.
"Maybe the real difference between last year's team, and this year, is that we all trust each other so much," said Aranda, who was also a sectional qualifier in wrestling for coach Neal Weiner.
"The chemistry is so much better this season," added junior Trevor Rubin, one of just three players (along with Joel DelToro and Leo Elizalde) who have been with the varsity team for three full years. "The thing was, everyone got along so well away from the game and training (last year), but when we got on the field, we just didn't have the chemistry we needed to succeed and compete."
A key figure in the middle of pitch for Uhrik, Rubin recently returned after missing a few matches due to an injury. His presence is much needed as he unselfishly directs and distributes with patience and success.
Running alongside is Elizalde, who also can provide plenty of options in the attack and also has an accurate shot.
The Cats' other three-year starter, DelToro, has become a terrific creator (7 assists through Tuesday) after being counted on to be more of a scorer during his first 2 years.
Rookies Didher Machado (7) and Jesse Astudillo (4) are the goal-scoring leaders thus far for a club which has shown balance in this area.
"There's a lot of talent on this club, maybe the best since my first year, when we went 14-5-0 (in 2004)," Uhrik said. "When the guys are playing, and its like there's velcro on the ball and our guys. We're a fun and exciting team to watch.
"A lot of the young guys who have been with me for a couple of years have begun to grow up and shown the leadership that we've needed."
Table talk: MSL coaches made another terrific improvement to the conference during the off-season when they decided to adopt the English Premier League table for the 2007 soccer season in favor of the tradional two-division (East-West) alignment that had been in place.
While the annual Soccer Bowl will still pit the East champion versus the West in mid-October, fans and players alike will enjoy watching the standings (table) take shape every week in a 1-through-12 format.
Each victory will earn 2 points for the victor and 1 point for a draw, with the top point total winners from the East and West facing off at the Soccer Bowl to decide the conference champion after all 11 matches are completed.
"A terrific move for the MSL -- it's the way our conference should be," said Fremd coach Steve Keller.
Conant coach Tony Kees, who will be stepping down after this, his 21st season, along with Schaumburg's Hamid Mehreiouskouei, instigated the move, each sharing the same feelings behind it all.
"All of (this) creates more interest to the players, fans and coaches, and guarantees that each and every match really counts now," said Mehreiouskouei.
A case in point to prove his statement.
In the season-opening match between Elk Grove and Palatine, the Pirates took a comfortable 2-0 lead late into the match.
However, when the Grens drew within 1 with a late strike, it set several moves in place by Palatine coach Willie Filian which would likely not have occured in previous years.
"(Billy) Hubly hit a missile into the back of the net and all of sudden you could feel the momentum shifting," said Filian. "I had 4-5 regulars out, and if this was last year, I would have kept those guys on the bench, and weathered the storm because its a crossover and a draw wouldn't really be a big deal."
"But I had to get those guys back in the match. Each match is important this year, and that's good for the sport and the players."
The Pirates held on to defeat Elk Grove 2-1.
Boys soccer
Scoring leaders
Player (School) G-A-TP
Raetzman (Con) 10-6-26
Marofske (Con) 8-9-25
Kujawa (Pros) 9-3-21
Furio (Barr) 9-2-18
Janus (LZ) 7-4-18
Beard (Sch) 6-4-16
Machado (Wheel) 7-2-16
Piotrowski (Sch) 7-1-15
Hank (Wauc) 6-3-15
Haskovic (Pal) 6-3-15
Adame (Ley) 6-2-14
Davis (GrayC.) 5-4-14
Garcia (RL) 4-6-14
Hollis (Sch) 4-6-14
Marks (Con) 5-3-13
Legueur (Pros) 4-5-13
Goalkeeping leaders
min. 6 matches
Player (school) GAA W-L-T
Unak (Bar) 0.20 5-0-0
Scornato (LZ) 0.42 5-1-1
Harris (StV) 0.70 7-0-3
Deroche (Barr) 0.80 4-1-0
Calvopina (Pal) 1.00 6-4-0
Nagawiecki (Wauc) 1.00 5-2-3
Shutout leaders:
Unak (Barr), 4.5; Harris (StV) 4.0; Andersen (MW) 3.5; Landa (RL) 3.0; Nagawiecki (Wauc) 3.0; Sandberg (Sch) 3.0; 4. Sloan (GrayC.) 3.0
MSL Standings
Through 9-18
MSL Overall
Barrington 4-0-0=8 9-1-0
Conant 4-1-0=8 7-2-0
Palatine 4-1-0=8 6-4-0
Hoffman Estates 3-0-0=6 3-2-2
Schaumburg 3-2-0=6 5-3-1
Prospect 2-2-0=4 5-4-0
Fremd 1-2-0=2 2-6-0
Rolling Meadows 1-2-0=2 3-7-0
Wheeling 1-2-0=2 7-6-0
Buffalo Grove 0-2-0=0 4-6-1
Hersey 0-3-0=0 3-7-0
Elk Grove 0-4-0=0 2-7-0
ESCC standings
Through 9-18
St. Viator 3-0-0, Carmel 1-0-0; St. Joseph 2-1-0; Marian Catholic 2-1-0; Benet 1-1-0; Marist 0-0-0; Joliet Catholic 0-1-0; Notre Dame 0-1-0; Nazareth 0-2-0; St. Patrick: 0-2-0