Wild win for Maine West
Maine West played a man down for the final 22 minutes, yet still was able to pull a 1-0 upset of state-ranked Deerfield in Thursday night's Central Suburban North boys soccer match in Des Plaines.
Frankie Garcia struck the eventual game-winner for Maine West (10-2-1, 2-0-1) at 58 minutes. Then, minutes later he was sent off after a long discussion by officials decided the sophomore's fate.
"It was wild night of soccer to be sure," said an exhausted, but pleased Maine West coach Mike Divincenzo, who could not stop talking about the effort of his backline after going a man down against a talented Deerfield side.
"I cannot say enough about the composure and work rate of (our) guys in the back to help keep Deerfield out of the back of the net in order to get a big win for us."
Right from the kickoff, Deerfield (11-2-1) showed why it was deserving of its top-10 status with dominating play from a speedy midfield featuring sophomore Joey Calistri, a top-flight front-line and Northwestern-bound Scottie Lakin, who went forward from his spot along the back to cause plenty of problems for the home-side.
"We absorbed a lot of pressure from (Deerfield) at the start, but after we finally settled down we did a much better job of defending and getting some of the run of play back in our favor," said Warriors tri-captain Cody Uidl, who combined with teammate Pat Pliszka to be a water-tight combo in front of keeper Mike Bednarz.
Maine West was were tossed a life-line near the half-hour mark when Calistri was sent through by David Panter, only to be denied by the far post, which stopped what looked like a sure goal.
Calistri would nearly strike just after intermission, and it was just after this attempt which saw Deerfield get back into the outstanding form it performed at all throughout the first half until Garcia stunned the visitors.
From the far touchline on the right side, Garcia sent a long, well-paced ball from 35 yards that sailed over a helpless keeper Matt Glassman and into the far inside netting.
Garcia raced to the midline to celebrate, and while doing so, pulled his shirt halfway over his head, then immediately brought it back down in preparation of the kickoff.
The assistant referee on the near side raised his flag, which brought all three officials together. Garcia was shown a red card, then given new life when it appeared the official would wave off the booking until he gave Garcia and Divicenzo the bad news.
"It was hard to believe a referee 80-plus yards away made that call, and the center and assistant referee (right) there didn't see it, but it was that kind of second half of soccer," said Divicenzo.
Deerfield would come forward looking to equalize, but was frustrated by a handful of wonderful saves by Bednarz, Maine West's terrific work in its own end, and some hard running up top by Nick Stanfa and Carlos Trejo, who took turns chasing up top as the lone striker.
"Lately when we haven't finished early on, we get a little tense, and impatient and begin to press as we look to score," said Deerfield head coach Elliot Hurtig.
"But credit Maine West for their great energy and ability to hunker down and hold on."
"There were four seniors out there in the back at the end, and we are all good friends and like family out there," said Uidl. "Bednarz was great, and Pliszka, Anes Kadiric and Alberto Sanchez, along with Johnny Contreras and Emmett Turner-Jackson helped get us this win tonight."