Duo sets the pace as BG tops D-C
Alex Masciopinto and Ben Crusius had a hand in 3 goals for Buffalo Grove to help the Bison (6-4-4) thump visiting Dundee-Crown 4-0 Saturday afternoon in a nonconference soccer match.
Masciopinto, a sophomore, sent an early warning to the Chargers after scoring his ninth of the season at four minutes. He later recorded the helper for teammate Alex Hughes, who drove home a header in the eighth minute to all but put away an inexperienced Chargers (2-8-1) side which played with terrific heart for 80 minutes and never gave in for coach Rey Vargas.
"With so many players on the varsity for the first time, we cannot afford to give up 2 goals just 10 minutes into the match and expect to be competitive with a team like Buffalo Grove," said Vargas, who welcomed back just three players from his 2008 club. "We are a work in progress right now, but if the guys continue to work hard and make a commitment to getting better in the off-season, then the future will be brighter for us."
Vargas had to be pleased with the work of senior keeper Eddie Fuentes, who was easily the Chargers' man of the match as he denied the Bison on at least 4 quality chances to help keep his club in a respectable spot up until the final whistle.
Fuentes could do nothing on the Masciopinto strike after watching the Bison striker collect a rebound off the goal frame from an attempt by Crusius, who had a go off a Hughes low throw.
Hughes ran free from the back post to direct his header firmly into the back of the net to make it 2-0.
Both sides played an aggressive offsides trap, which at times shrunk the pitch to the size of a postage stamp - and it was because of this tactical approach that Fuentes was called upon when the Bison solved the trap.
Masciopinto was stopped at point-blank range as intermission neared, and just before Crusius increased the lead at 39 minutes.
Crusius watched Fuentes make an acrobatic save, then could only marvel at yet another save, this one against teammate Luis Marquez.
Steve Mazzoni finished the scoring in the 58th minute before back-up keeper Jordie Stumpf helped keep the shutout secure for himself and starter Nick Landsberger.
Kyle Hagan sent sophomore Ozvaldo Ramirez through to beat the trap, forcing Stumpf off his line, where he made a superb save on the sophomore striker.
"We've got a big week ahead of us with three matches, so getting an early lead, then being able to get a lot of guys some time is helpful," said BG co-captain Kyle Fioraliso, who along with backline mate Brandon Edelman helped keep the Bison organized against the Chargers. "We've had some injuires to deal with, especially (with midfielder) Greg Betz out for awhile, but a lot of guys have stepped up and are making important contributions to the team."