Busano, Elgin Academy blank Christian Liberty
A hat trick from Jonathan Busano enabled visting Elgin Academy (2-2-0) to defeat Christian Liberty Academy 3-0 Wednesday afternoon in Arlington Heights.
The junior striker, who along with front-line mates Connor Flexman and Jumel Julien stretched the Chargers' backline and keeper Jack Salsgiver, put the Hilltoppers ahead for good at 22 minutes.
Coach Aurelio Castillo who was pleased with the 80-minute effort from his club.
"This is a good group of kids we have with us this season who have proved very coachable and very competitive when we play teams at our level and size," said Castillo, who can count on dynamic play and scoring from his forwards. "We are fortunate to have those (three) guys up top. They run forever, and know what to do with the ball when they get in close on our opponents."
"We struggled a little bit in the back today, but that's because (Elgin Academy) had those three big guys up top who were strong, fast and knew what to do in and around our keeper Jack (Salsgiver) who I thought did a really good job out there today for us," said Chargers second-year coach Jed Bennett.
Salsgiver stopped the aforementioned trio with several quality saves to help keep his club withing striking distance at the break, when the Chargers (3-4-0) faced a 2-0 deficit. They still were a threat thanks to an attack which is much improved from a year ago, led by leading scorer Mike Hennek (10 goals) as well as Kiefer Bennett, Shamil Tajuddin, David Colbert and David Morrison.
"This year, we are able to get forward a lot better than last season, and can be more dangerous than before with the players we have who have a better idea of what to do in our opponent's end," said Bennett.
Busano scored the first of his 3 after Flexman collected a short clear before quickly sending his teammate through to set up on 1-on-1 with Salsgiver, who was unable to stop.
Salsgiver made a superb stop at the back post eight minutes later when Julien connected with Busano. That signaled a stagnant period for the Hilltoppers until Busano's low drive at 35 minutes doubled the visitors' lead.
The Chargers found their pace during the final 10 minutes before the break, keeping their guests and keeper Tom Tunca under pressure. Hennek sent a couple of meaningful balls over the top to Colbert on the right side, and helped create another chance for Tajuddin just moments before intermission.
"Tunca has come a long way from a year ago, and each match he proves to be fearless whenever he gets challenged, whether in the air or on shots in close," said Castillo.
Salsgiver was alert just after the second-half kick-off, stopping Busano inside the area. But it wasn't long before Busano completed his hat trick with a wonderful half-volley after Julien provided an assist at 44 minutes.
The Hilltoppers continued to possess the ball, with skilled sophomore midfielder Brandon Perez running the show out of the middle. Despite the work from Perez and his mates, the Chargers continued to play hard until the end, always looking to end the shutout bid of Tunca. The junior watched a wicked blast from Hennek brush the bar after his glove save in the 72nd minute, then saw a shot from Colbert from in close go just wide in the closing minutes of regulation.