Jacobs hopes to extend magical run
The Jacobs boys soccer team continues to write its storybook ending after a 2-1 triple overtime victory over Cary-Grove placed the Golden Eagles in the Class AA Lake Zurich sectional semifinal where they will face Palatine (No. 6 seed) later tonight at 7 p.m.
Going 7-15 in the regular season, Jacobs never lacked luster as the majority of its losses were one-goal decisions, and the Eagles were always a team which showed sparks of greatness.
Still, the bulk of that greatness has found its time and place in the post-season where the Golden Eagles have gone 3-0 en route to the sectional semifinal, knocking off Fox Valley Conference Fox Division champion Prairie Ridge 2-1, the No. 2 ranked team (Daily Herald Top-20) in St. Viator, which was unbeaten entering the match, and most recently Cary-Grove.
"We are quietly pleased with the way things have turned out so far," said Jacobs coach Jim Dzialo. "Several players have stepped it up, everybody has grown up very quick, the defense has locked it up and we picked the right time to peak and display our talent."
Having earned the No. 17 seed out of 18 teams, Jacobs has been dubbed the 'Cinderella' story thus far, and for Dzialo, being the underdog is just fine.
After all, he knows best what his team can do.
"Everybody loves the underdog," he said.
At the same time, are you truly an underdog when you beat the No. 2 seeded team in one of the state's more difficult sectionals, a team which took the field with an 18-0-1 record?
"We visualized its occurrence," said Dzialo of the St. Viator contest. "We watched a motivational movie as a team the night before.
"We thought they (Viator) might underestimate us, and really felt that if anything they were at a disadvantage. They had more to lose."
According to Dzialo, Jacobs has been on a natural high ever since nabbing the game-winner against Prairie Ridge with 8 minutes left to play in the postseason opener.
Since that time, game-winners have come from Danny Scheurer, Brian Obmaly and Mark Kyszka with assists from Jonathon Ward.
The Golden Eagles will look for more of the same as they challenge the No. 6 seeded Pirates, who beat Dundee-Crown 3-0 and Lake Zurich 1-0 to earn their place in the sectional semifinal.
"The guys feel that they've achieved something now, but they are not content yet. Nobody here is ready to go home," said Dzialo. "St. Viator is arguably one of the best teams so I think there is carry over from that.
"All I can ask is that they give all that they have and leave it out on the field. No matter what happens, we're going to be proud of them."
Palatine (15-8) will boast a strong goalkeeper, a quick sweeper in Sean McLoraine as well as offensive threats Glenn Arnold, Haris Haskovic, Louis Vargas and Matt Marturano.
"We have a plan on how we're going to deal with them," Dzialo said. "The boys don't feel pressure."
Larkin vs. Maine West: Larkin finds itself exactly where it left off last year, only this season the Royals return just four starters, who have been joined by a very solid group of juniors.
While last year's sectional semifinal was a season-ender, the Royals will look to rewrite the story as they take on Maine West in the Streamwood sectional semifinal at 6:30 p.m. tonight at Millennium Field.
"We're ready," said Larkin coach Ken Hall. "We have no injuries and everybody is upbeat and mentally in great shape."
While a large portion of Larkin's scoring has come from forwards David Rodriguez and Raul Sandoval, the Royals continue to get help from all over the field. Most recently, Carson McFadden and A.J. Southammovong contributed. Danny Hinterlong and Steven Drew can also score.
Defensively, goalkeeper Raziel Somarriba has made the stops that core defenders Fernando Alverez and Alex Tyton have seldom let by.
"We will absolutely stick to what we've been doing," Hall said. "If we play our game, we will be in good shape."
The Royals beat South Elgin 2-0 and Streamwood 5-1 to earn the sectional bid, while Maine West came out on top of No. 11 seed Prospect 2-0 and Elk Grove 2-1 in overtime.
Larkin's postseason experience thus far might just prove to be exactly what the Royals need to take the next step.
"We've seen Maine West and they are very similar to Streamwood and play with similar strategy," said Hall. "They are a cross between Streamwood and South Elgin really.
"From what we've seen, they are more of a balanced team rather than boasting one or two superstars."
As it has proven to be a winning recipe all season, Larkin (16-5-4) will continue to stress defense.
"It all starts in the back," Hall said. "I think of myself as an offensive coach because I was a forward, but our defense can play anybody one-on-one. Because we are confident that our defense will make the plays when we need them, the offense will come."