Boys Soccer

Elgin survives Larkin's late rally

Posted October 06, 2010 1:00 am

By Allen Oshinski Daily Herald Correspondent

Elgin's Cuauhtemoc Estrada screams and stretches his jersey after scoring the second goal against Larkin Tuesday. John Starks | Staff Photographer

Elgin was determined not to let its lead slip away. The Maroons took an early lead, then survived a late rally by Larkin for a 2-1 Upstate Eight Conference River Division boys soccer victory at Memorial Field Tuesday.

Sam Escobar and Timo Estrada scored to give Elgin a 2-0 lead.

Roberto Torres scored with about 15 minutes left to get Larkin back in the game. The Royals had several chances to tie in the closing minutes, including shots by Tony Mendoza and Manny Aguilar, but the Elgin defense held.

“That's what we needed to do all season, said Elgin coach Dave Borg. “We lost in the last 4 minutes against Crystal Lake South, and we were determined not to let that happen today.

Elgin is 4-13-1, 2-3 in the UEC. Larkin fell to 12-6-1, 1-4.

“We just didn't play well enough, plain and simple, said Larkin coach Ken Hall. “They seemed like they wanted it more than we did and they went out and got it.

Escobar gave Elgin the lead in the opening minutes. The Maroons dominated much of the half, but couldn't increase the lead.

Elgin scored again early in the second half. Estrada found himself all alone in front of the net and fired in a shot from 20 yards out.

The Maroons hope they are peaking at the right time.

“We play in a tough conference, Borg said.

“Our thing is the playoffs. We're going to see Larkin again and they'll be wanting blood.

Omar Villafuerte started his third game in goal for Elgin and came within 15 minutes of the shutout. Santiago Guerrero was in the net for Larkin.

John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.comElgin defender Erwin Hernandez uses a bicycle kick to change direction on the ball against Larkin Tuesday.

John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.comLarkins Erik Rodriguez (10) and Elgins Kevin Gonzalez collide as they compete for a header Tuesday.

John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.comLarkin's Roberto Torres chases the ball as Elgin's Edgar Montes watches Tuesday.

John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.comLarkin's Manny Aguilar kicks at the ball as Elgin's Cuauhtemoc Estrada tries to head the ball Tuesday.

John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.comLarkin goalkeeper Santiago Guerrero upends Elgin midfielder Samual Escobar Tuesday as he charged the net late in the game.

John Starks/jstarks@dailyherald.comElgin goalkeeper Flavio Jaimes watches the ball bounce wide of the net Tuesday as Larkin forward Ivan Maldonado follows the shot.

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