Seniors step up for Larkin to beat St. Charles North

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 15 minutes," said North coach Eric Willson. "I would like to have seen that intensity for the full 80 minutes.

"We've got three games left to sort things out here. We had a lot of missed opportunities."

That final opportunity came 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."