Senior Night big success for Larkin
Looking at the Upstate Eight Conference boys soccer standings, Larkin might not have exactly entered Tuesday night's match against St. Charles North with seniority, but the Royals certainly left with it.
After seniors Steven Drew and David Rodriguez each found the back of the net for the Royals, it became evident that there was no better way to commemorate Senior Night at Memorial Field than a 2-1 win over the North Stars.
And it would not come easy, especially playing without leading scorer Raul Sandoval, who tightened up and could not take the field for Larkin.
St. Charles North came out strong attacking the Royal net almost immediately.
With 18 minutes left to play in the first half, the only thing standing between the North Stars and a goal was Larkin's keeper, Raziel Somarriba, who made a diving save. Somarriba got the ball in mid-air and after colliding with the ground he lost it, but managed to pull it back in to prevent any damage.
Somarriba (9 saves) would make another big save with 15 minutes left in the half before surrendering a goal to North midfielder Dominic Catalono. Defender Jake Hosler connected with Catalono in front of the net, and his header found its way over the hands of a reaching Somarriba and into the upper left to give St. Charles North a 1-0 lead.
"That first goal caught me off-guard," said Somarriba.
Larkin would get that goal back with 3 minutes left to play in the first after a perfect pass from Fernando Alverez would result in a Rodriguez breakaway. Rodriguez beat his defenders from about 15-yards out, and a solid strike would bounce off of North Star goalkeeper Tyler McEnery (9 saves) and into the net to tie things at 1-1.
The second half opened with Larkin (12-4-4, 5-2-2) firing shots off for the first 15 minutes. In the 56th minute, those attacks paid off.
Luis Maldonado would find utility midfielder Drew open at the forward position, and Drew would fire off what would later become the game-winner past McEnery.
"Coach (Ken) Hall has had me up front the past few games, and I love attacking," said Drew. "Senior Night definitely played a part in our intensity. After losing big last year, I said I wouldn't let it happen again this year.
"What a great way to end my years at Memorial Field."
Hall was more than impressed with Drew's effort.
"Steven had great composure on that shot," said Hall. "He took his time and did everything perfectly."
The rest of the game would belong to St. Charles North (12-4-2, 4-2-1), which put on major pressure to close things out, but could not finish. In fact, North Stars forward Austin Andrekus took five shots of his own in the final 15 minutes of play.
"I was happy with the last fifteen minutes," said North coach Eric Willson. "I would like to have seen that intensity for the full eighty minutes.
"We've got three games left to sort things out here. We had a lot of missed opportunities."
That final opportunity would come with 26 seconds remaining when Somarriba punched one out to conclude the game.
"I was pumped throughout the game," said Somarriba. "This was probably one of the best games I've played all year.
"This was what we were hoping for. The team was excellent."
Huntley 2, Grayslake Central 0: The Red Raiders (10-9, 6-4) defeated Grayslake Central for a Fox Valley (Fox) victory. Huntley was led by Nico Carbonara, who scored the first goal of the game in the second half off an assist from Brandon Villareal. Ignacio Solorzano also scored on a penalty kick to keep the Red Raiders in the lead. Kevin Montelongo was in the net collecting 7 saves.
Harvard 1, Burlington Central 0: The Rockets (11-6-2, 5-2-1) fell in a Big Northern East matchup to Harvard. Kyle DeRaedt was in goal for the Rockets collecting 8 saves.
Marmion Academy 7, St. Edward 0: In the Suburban Catholic Conference the Green Wave (3-17, 2-4) fell to Marmion Academy. The Cadets were able to find the back of the net 4 times in the first half of the game. Will Lytle was in goal for St. Edward tallying 13 saves.
Lake Forest Academy 7, Elgin Academy 1: The Hilltoppers (1-15-1) came up short in this Independent School League matchup. Alex Osinga was the only Hilltopper who was able to find the back of the net when he scored on a penalty kick in the second half. Brandon Cork collected 2 saves as he shared the net with Aaron Thomas, who tallied 5 saves for Elgin Academy.
Hampshire 5, Belvidere 0: The Whip Purs (13-6-2) defeated Belvidere in nonconference action. Junior Makinde led the Whip-Purs with a pair of goals on assists from Jose Lopez and Shay Hauck. Lopez was then able to score in the second half on an assist from Makinde. Hauck scored the fourth goal on an assist by Dustin Sundquist. Mic Anderson then topped off the game when he found the back of the net scoring the fifth goal off an assist from Hauck. Cameron Rath was in goal for the Whip Purs collecting 5 saves.
Woodstock 1, Cary-Grove 0: Cary-Grove (14-5, 6-4) lost a heartbreaker falling to Woodstock 1-0 after the Blue Streaks took a 1-0 lead in the first half and never looked back in this Fox Valley Conference Valley Division meeting. Keenan Walsh defended the net for the Trojans recording 5 saves.
Neuqua Valley 4, Bartlett 0: Unable to generate any offense, Bartlett (9-10-1) dropped this Upstate Eight Conference matchup. Vince DiNuzzo collected 15 saves in goal for the Hawks.
Lake Park 1, Streamwood 0: Juan Ortiz (6 saves) was in goal for Streamwood (10-12-1, 4-5) as the Sabres fell to Lake Park in this Upstate Eight Conference contest.
McHenry 1, CL South 0: Crystal Lake South (13-8-1, 6-4) fell behind early and could not battle back dropping this Fox Valley Conference Valley Division matchup to conference championsMcHenry. Zach Dalzell was in goal for the Gators recording 6 saves.
Prairie Ridge 2, Johnsburg 1: Prairie Ridge (10-9-1, 7-3) had a big night defeating Johnsburg in Fox Valley Conference Fox Division play to earn sole custody of the FVC Fox conference title.
The Wolves opened conference play this season 0-2, but now find themselves as the division champions having won 10 of their final 12 matches.