Maine West survives in PKs
It took 80 minutes of regulation, 40 minutes of overtime and 10 penalty kicks.
Maine West finally broke the silence in Tuesday night's Maine South Class 3A boys soccer sectional semifinal matchup, coming out on top of New Trier 1-0 in Park Ridge.
“I'm proud, but I'm nowhere near satisfied,” said Maine West coach Mike DiVincenzo after the victory over one of the state's perennial powers.
Maine West will go for the sectional title at 6:30 p.m. Friday against Mather, which beat Niles West 2-1 in the first semifinal.
It was a tale of two game plans, which saw the Warriors loving the long ball all night, while the Trevians focused on playing more on the ground with short, intricate passing that seemed to work to their advantage as the menacing winds tormented both teams.
The Warriors and Trevians both got off to slow starts as they attempted to feel each other out and adjust to the weather, and the first shot on goal didn't take place until 30 minutes into the first period.
Despite the variation in method, as the 80th minute approached it seemed as though the Warriors and the Trevians were destined to repeat the same stalemate result produced the last time they met Sept. 27. Fortunately for the Warriors, tournament rules don't permit ties.
With the score deadlocked at 0-0 at the end of regulation, they pushed through four scoreless 10-minute overtime periods before stepping it up in dramatic fashion for a best of 10 shootout showdown.
The first three penalty kicks missed their mark, but senior leader Ryan Ybarra netted the fourth kick, giving the Warriors a leg up. The next six shots also found the back of the net, with a show of steady confidence from Maine West's freshman forward Nelson Herrera and senior defender Emmett Turner-Jackson. After nine attempts, the Trevs and the Warriors were tied up with three makes apiece.
But the true heroics of the night were set to unfold as junior midfielder Tait Jensen stepped up for the 10th and final penalty kick.
“I checked his eyes,” said Jensen of sizing of keeper Chris Neuhaus. “I knew it was going to come down to me. I was going to score.”
Jensen's internal assessment proved spot-on as he lifted the winning shot past Neuhaus's outstretched arms.
Seconds later Maine West madness ensued as the student body charged the field in celebration.
“We have the defensive team to do this again,” said DiVincenzo. “We just have to stay together.”