Boys soccer: Scouting Northwest supersectionals
Class 3A
AT BARRINGTON, 7 p.m.
Leyden (19-3-2) vs. Rockford Boylan (22-1-3)
How they got here: Leyden survived consecutive shootouts against Geneva, then Bartlett last week to earn its first trip to a supersectional since 2005 when it was defeated by Boylan (1-0), which went on that year to earn a third-place state trophy. Juan Carlos Duarte, who has been magnificent taking over for the injured Arnoldo Reyes as the Eagles playmaker, converted both game-winning PK spot kicks.
The NIC-10 champion Titans thrashed the regional competiton before narrowly escaping Larkin in its sectional opener with a shootout win of its own last Thursday, then bagged 5 goals to defeat Round Lake to advance to its fifth supersectioanl in the past six year.
Players to watch: Leyden: David Wisniewski (Sr, F, 28g), Arnoldo Reyes (Sr, MF, 15a), Juan Carlos Duarte (Sr, MF, 8 assists), Fernando Camacho (Jr, D), Arthur Bernaciak (Jr, D), Marco Granda (Jr, GK, 10 shutouts). Boylan: Victory Zamora (Jr, MF-F, 24 g), Tyler Robinson (Jr, MF, 19g, 11a), Ryan Howe (Jr, D, 27a), Nick Kind (Sr, MF, 9g), Homero Jordan (Sr, F, 12g), Tim Dobrowolski (Jr, GK, 0.48 goals against).
Storylines: The strength for the Eagles is obvious with premier striker Wisniewski. He demands plenty of attention throughout the match, but the real quality of this club lies in its core and overall depth, which was bolstered from several call-ups from last year's 17-1-0 sophomore team at the start of the season. They've bolstered the entire roster for coach Mark Valintis. “We knew we had a talented bunch of kids on that team,” he said, “and that we needed to find a way to get them up with the big club, then find them minutes. Once we did and worked them into our rotation, they have been valuable pieces of our team puzzle, and really important late in the season due to injuries.” While not overly physical, the Eagles' backline is quick, athletic, technically better than most and has conceded less than 1 goal per match this season. Leyden also has a high-powered attack, led by the crafty Duarte. The possible return of Reyes from a foot injury could pressure Boylan's midfield.
Advancement: The winner goes to the 3A state semifinals to play either Edwardsville (18-4-1) or Stagg (15-5-2) at 5 p.m. Friday at North Central College in Naperville.
AT LOYOLA SOCCER PARK, 6 p.m. (6336 N. Hoyne, Chicago)
Maine West (14-4-7) vs. Libertyville (19-3-2)
How they got here: The Warriors finally dispatched their postseason ghosts when they knocked off perennial state power New Trier in its sectional semifinal, then went on to top Mather for the school's first boys soccer sectional trophy. Sophomore goalkeeper Jecsan Torres was the key figure in the shootout triumph over New Trier, while rookie striker Nelson Herrera was front and center in the Warriors' 3-1 win over Mather.
Libertyville booked its four supersectional appearance in the past 10 years after squeezing by upset-minded Highland Park 1-0 in 4 OT to capture its own sectional title. Cats leading scorer Miles McNeir struck game-winners in a regional final with Warren, and in a sectional semifinal triumph over St. Viator 1-0.
Players to watch: Maine West: Emmett Turner-Jackson (Sr, D), Jason LeSeth (Sr, MF-F, 10a), Ryan Ybarra (Sr, F, 13g), Nelson Herrera (Fr, F, 7g), Jecsan Torres (So, GK, 13 shutouts), Austin O'Toole (Sr, D), Alex Blancas (Sr, D). Libertyville: Andrew Bitta (Sr, GK, 11 shutouts), Marshall Hollingsworth (Jr, MF, 5a), Miles McNeir (Sr, F, 17g), Sam Kaplan (Jr, D), Joey Ruppert (Jr, F, 14g), Austin Bitta (So, F, 13a).
Storylines: Perhaps after drawing in 7 matches and producing a meek 1.35 goals-per-game average, it would have been difficult for many to give the Warriors their due this season. But what many are finding is this is a side with a little-engine-that-could type of confidence. That's partly thanks to a core of terrific veterans mixed with emerging young talent. The trio of Ybarra, LeSeth and Herrera remain imminent threats going forward, but the backline, with the three-year central defender (Jackson) in front of an athletic keeper (Torres) gives West a solid chance. Versatility on the Warriors' bench, which has been fostered by DiVincenzo and his staff throughout the fall, is also a plus. “Since (summer) this team has quietly been building a confidence among themselves, because of the leadership of our captains,” said the Warriors coach. “Our young guys have really come along, but it's been the seniors, (Jackson, Blancas, Ybarra, O'Toole) who have really stepped it up in the playoffs, to be the difference makers.”
Advancement: The winner plays in the Class 3A state semifinals against either Lyons (21-1-2) or Naperville North (20-2-2) at 7 p.m. Friday at North Central College in Naperville.
Class 2A
AT BARRINGTON
Burlington Central (19-4-3) vs. Lakes (11-9-5), 5 p.m.
Storylines: Burlington Central hasn't allowed a goal in its past three postseason victories, with a 1-0 victory over Marmion, a 2-0 victory over Freeport and a 1-0 win against Sterling for the sectional title. Riley Jensen has been stellar in goal for the Rockets. Lakes has been scoring in clumps, with triumphs over Wauconda 3-2, Hampshire 4-0 and Fenton 2-1 in overtime in the sectional final round. Jonathan Stanley has been leading the way; he has 7 goals in 4 postseason contests. Brian Werchek had the game-winner against Fenton.