Viator closes in on title

Repeating has been driving St. Viator's boys soccer team all season.

The Lions moved a step away from a second straight unblemished East Suburban Catholic Conference title with a 4-0 win over visiting Carmel on a dreary Wednesday afternoon in Arlington Heights.

But right now, everything for the Lions (17-2, 8-0) is geared toward next week and avoiding a repeat of last year's stunning first-round postseason exit.

And it's not a subject the winners of 17 consecutive matches try to avoid.

"We talk about it before every game," said St. Viator junior midfielder Kevin Cavers, whose team finishes ESCC play Friday at Benet.

"We use that as our motivation," said senior Matt Riggio, who anchors the back line with Francesco Castaldi, Jack Morsches and Brendan King. "We look at that and realize we can't let that happen again."

That's why veteran coach Mike Taylor was cajoling and driving his team for more even after Petar Milenkovich and Chris Madro scored in the first 20 minutes off assists from midfielder Trevor Wheeler. Sophomore Jack Horvath and Milenkovich added second-half goals as Patrick Windle and Joe Marinaro split the shutout in goal.

Taylor, Riggio and Cavers like how everything has developed since its trip to the Peoria Notre Dame tournament two weeks ago.

"We figured out what we had to go out and do and got after it," said Cavers, part of the midfield that excels at possessing the ball with Wheeler, Alan Aboona and Billy Hamilton.

"I'm pleased with them," Taylor said. "They've jelled as the season has come along and they're very good friends with no little cliques. We're coming on."