Quick-striking Prospect steps forward
Mid-Suburban East boys soccer leader Prospect took a giant stride forward in the division race by defeating rival Buffalo Grove 3-0 Thursday.
The Knights struck 3 times in the first quarter-hour to build a comfortable lead over the hosts, then stayed water-tight the rest of the way to help senior keeper Brad Reibel set a program-record 16th career shutout.
“Sitting back and watching the guys score 3 goals, all off of set pieces in the first 15 minutes, was just amazing,” said Reibel. “We came out so flat, and in that first half (Buffalo Grove) completely controlled the match, but we did what we had to do to win a very important match.”
On Tuesday, the Knights (8-0-2, 3-0-1, 10 points) played Hersey to a 1-1 draw. On the same night, the Bison (5-2-3, 2-2-0), with a chance to climb past Prospect, fell 2-1 to Schaumburg, which sits atop the MSL table with 15 points.
“Both sides knew how big a match this was, and after letting one get away from us against Schaumburg the other night, all our guys knew the importance of our match with Prospect tonight,” said BG coach Rick Carlson. “We’ve been creating plenty of chances during the last couple of games, but have been unable to finish. But to give up goals like we did in the first half was pretty disappointing to watch, to say the least.”
The Bison, who entered the match without regulars Kirill Likhovid (injured) and Matt Bloom (red card) along the backline, took the initiative from the opening whistle and attacked feriously, with midfielders Irving and Alberto Eloyza and Markus Fiodaliso churning up ground and either taking the ball into the Knights’ end on their own, or connecting with Alex Maciopinto and Demo Drakouils up top.
“Their midfield just decimated us, especially in the first half, and just kept us on our heels, even after we scored all of our goals,” said Prospect coach Kurt Trenkle.
The visitors stunned their guests at 10 minutes when Alex Schnef curled a superb corner across the face of the goal to the back post, where an unmarked Matthew Burikas thumped his header into the back of the net.
“Burikas wins everything in the air in practice,” said Schnef.
Almost five minutes later, Schnef’s inward swinging corner found Knights scorer leader Bill Cooney, who broke free of his mark to finish and double the lead with his 15th goal.
A minute later, Stefano Dolomas redirected past BG keeper Nick Landsberger a well-aimed free kick from Ihor Lehkiv.
“It was like a nightmare during the first 15 minutes or so,” said Carlson.
Despite the deficit, the Bison played with great energy and plenty of pride as they looked to pull back at least one goal before intermission.
BG was particularly dangerous when it created throws deep in the Knights’ end, where Masciopinto’s flip throws flew one after another to the spot — and where Reibel pulled them out of the air with confidence.