Seniors keep St. Viator rolling on in ESCC
Kevin Cavers and Billy Hamilton had a hand in two of the goals scored by St. Viator Wednesday afternoon to help the Lions (16-3-0, 6-0-0) ready themselves for the stretch run after its 3-1 East Suburban Catholic Conference victory over visiting Nazareth Academy.
Lions head coach Mike Taylor would help the homeside faithful celebrate Senior Day by going with an all-senior first-11. He would bring on only seniors throughout the match to keep with a tradition in which the long-time coach and his staff enjoy keeping alive.
"It's (their) day and a way to reward those who have been in our program from freshman year (on)," said Taylor, who would watch seldom-used Mark Bernacchi strike late to help ensure the Lions victory on this day.
"It's great having all the seniors in our program dressed and getting a chance to play and to get a touch here and there to help contribute to our win today," added Cavers, who would open the scoring at the quarter hour after the Lions would threaten to do so on several occasions until the senior midfielder finished with his 11th goal of the season.
"We're heading into the toughest part of our conference schedule, beginning with St. Joseph this weekend," Cavers said, "so now we will need to turn our focus (first) on that match, then go after Carmel and Benet next week to lock down another conference title."
With the Lions sensing further goals after being energized following the Cavers goal at 15 minutes, a confident home-side pushed forward with ease, only to find itself unable to solve Nazareth (12-4-0, 4-3-0), which sometimes dropped 10 behind the ball to squeeze what little space there was in the middle of the park.
Alan Aboona sent a couple of strong drives on frame and at Jamie Nassar-Velasquez, but the junior managed to turn away both shots until Hamilton slipped inside and shot under the Roadrunners keeper from 8 yards.
Cavers and Brendan King would each fail to get past Nassar-Velasquez with two glorious second-half opportunities, before Alex Wilkinson closed the gap in the 77th minute just moments after reserve keeper Eric Cruz stopped the Nazareth keeper with a superb stop at the near post.
Bernacchi, with the help of teammate Brent Hubick would help the Lions grab back its 2-goal margin in the 79th minute.
"Now it's time to get serious," said Taylor, when talk shifted to his club's next three matches. "We're looking to earn our third straight undefeated ESCC title, but it all starts this Saturday at (St.) Joe's, and I can tell you every player (here) is ready to go there and play."
BG 2, Meadows 1: Alex Maciopinto scored both goals for Buffalo Grove in the MSL East victory.
Palatine-Conant update: Tuesday's Mid-Suburban West match which was called in the 75th minute because of a power failure is official with Palatine beating Conant 2-0.
College soccer
The Harper College men's soccer team knocked off Milwaukee Area Technical College 2-1, improving to 7-4 in conference action and 7-5 overall.
Hawks freshman midfielder Kyle O'Meara (Palatine) broke a scoreless deadlock by scoring 13 minutes into the second half on an assist from Bobby Hurwitz (Fremd).
After Milwaukee (6-2-1) tied the match in the 73rd minute, Quduas Adboola fed sophomore Louis Vargas (Palatine), who netted what proved to be the game-winner with eight minutes left in the contest.
Goalkeeper Andrew Larson (Elk Grove) made 2 saves in the first half. Chris Hoffman (Hersey), who returned from a hand injury, saved 2 shots in the second half.