Comerouski, Christian Liberty win again
A boys soccer shootout Wednesday afternoon in Arlington Heights left fans gasping for air and only one club still standing after 80 minutes.
Luke Comerouski put the Chargers ahead in the 44th minute and struck for his third goal of the match — the eventual game-winner — at 66 minutes to help send the hosts to a 4-3 victory over visiting Northridge Prep in a nonconference match.
The Chargers improved to 6-0-0.
“There’s a lot of excitement around here about our soccer team,” said Chargers coach Jed Bennett, now in his third season at the helm. “The addition of Luke has given us a proven finisher, but his presence has also helped bring the play of others up all around him and made us into a more complete team this season.”
Comerouski, who did not play soccer with the school last season, stayed calm along with his mates despite falling behind 2-0 in the first quarter-hour when the visitors’ talented striker Marko Culjak put 2 sjpts into the back of the net to help jump-start the Knights, who are coached by former St. Viator player and 1992 graduate Desmond Ryan.
“We struggled a little in the back early on, but (Northridge) is really a very good soccer team — the best we’ve seen this season — but I thought in the second half we defended much better as a team, especially in the middle, where Michael (Hennek) and Kiefer (Bennett) played strong on both sides of the ball,” said Bennett.
Hennek and Kiefer Bennett, the leading scorers for the Chargers last season, have helped allow Comerouski’s development up top, and in turn, according to their coach, have given the Chargers that extra dimension at midfield which was missing last season.
“Both of those guys have really stepped up to be two-way players, and haven’t minded at all that Luke (15 goals) is our primary goal-scorer,” said Bennett, “and that’s one of the things about this team that you have to really like, as a coaching staff.”
Comerouski brought his club within 1 just after the half-hour mark when his diagonal run split the Knights in their own end and allowed the senior to finish a wonderful ball from Hennek.
Two minutes before intermission, the senior drew the Chargers even with a well-struck left-footed cracker past Knights keeper Adam Youman, who had no time to react to the 16-yard blast.
That goal finished an entertaining 40 minutes of soccer frequently played at top speed, with plenty of possession through the middle.
“I was a little worried about our fitness in that first half, especially with the way (Northridge) was subbing and bringing in fresh legs, but we did a pretty good job of staying with them in the first half, and (then) played our best soccer in the second half,” said Bennett.
“It was big for us to come back from being down 2 goals because it gave us momentum heading into the half and took away any momentum Northridge had built,” said Comerouski.
The hosts got off to a rip-roaring start after the break when Comerouski’s dazzling zig-zag run left a pair of Knights defenders in his wake before he slotted past Youman from in close. Oscar Kravic recorded the helper on the goal.
The Knights (2-4-0) fought back and got themselves level on a superb goal from Christopher Dunaway, who on the turn, fired his left-footer in from 20 yards.
Play opened up as each side pushed forward in its search for the go-ahead goal. After some nervous moments for the faithful on both sides, Comerouski stunned the visitors when he redirected a header past Youman after a wonderful serve from Hennek.
Michael Milkowski, Tom Salsgiver and Jonathan Karr stayed organized and air-tight in the final quarter hour in front of keeper Jack Salsgiver, who in the second half was asked to save just a couple of quality chances.
“Everyone is working hard, and the atmosphere around this team is a good one to be a part of,” Bennett said. “So far it has been a fun season for all of us.”
The Chargers are on the road Friday to play Morgan Park Academy before returning to their home pitch Monday for a conference match with Christian Life at 4:30.