Christian Liberty advances past St. Edward
After achieving one first already this season in winning its first conference championship in boys soccer, Christian Liberty Academy reached another milestone Saturday afternoon.
The Chargers captured the first Class 1A regional title with a 3-0 victory over St. Edward at the Westminster Christian venue in Elgin.
Senior Luke Comerouski struck all 3 goals to give him 49 this season as the Chargers overcame the upset-minded Green Wave, who fought hard against the No. 1 seed.
Christian Liberty advances into sectional at Harvard, where it will face Keith Country Day in a semifinal at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
“We’re a little banged up right now, and I know we didn’t play some of our best soccer of the season, but we did what we had to in order to win, and all I know right now is that we’re 20-0, and we’re in the sectional semifinals next week,” said Chargers coach Jed Bennett.
“I told the guys afterwards that today was a game of inches,” said Green Wave coach Tim Brieger.
“We hit the bar a couple of times, Carlos (Moreno) nearly put one in at close range, and if we get a touch on Kevn’s (Olenek) throw before it sails into the net, maybe it’s 2-2 or 3-3, and then we have a game on our hands.”
The Chargers opened up quickly, finding Comerouski and Michael Hennek with ease while looking comfortable and confident on the ball despite the blustery conditions at Westminster.
With the strong wind in their face, the Chargers still were able to enjoy the run of play up until Comerouski finished at the back post after a well run combination play. It started with Johnathan Karr out of the back and went through David Colbert on the flank, who crossed to the Chargers’ top scorer.
Two minutes later, Comerouski’s cracking blast redirected off a St. Edward defender and past Wave keeper Matt Hesch, who had no time to react from the shot from close in.
“It’s really nice to have a player who can finish like Luke,” said Chargers keeper Jack Salsgiver, who had to work hard to earn his ninth shutout of the season.
The Green Wave (5-14-1) caught a break and got a long free kick from Nicholas Semler, and his attempt went up and over Salsgiver, who was forced to save.
“Protecting a 2-0 lead in soccer is always dangerous, and although (they) came at us hard, and never gave up, I have a lot of faith in my team in front of me, and especially the defense,” said Salsgiver.
The senior made a brilliant reaction save on Moreno, who tricked his way into the box just after intermission to keep the Wave off the scoreboard. Later, Olenek, whose accurate and well-paced flip throws were dangerous all afternoon, appeared to find Austin Davis at the back post for a goal, only to have the assistant rule his throw had crossed the end line before Davis thumped in his shot.
“They made us work in that second half, so give them a lot of credit — and that’s why that third goal was so big for us,” said Comerouski, who dazzled fans with his zig-zag run into the box before carrying to his left and firing to his right to beat Hesch to put the Chargers up by 3 goals at 63 minutes.
“I thought we were the most dangerous team as far as quality chances, but this sport can be a tough one, and when you have as young of a team as we do and start three freshmen and you’re going up an inexperienced and talented team like Christian Liberty, none of that matters,” said Brieger.
“But I am proud of them for their outstanding effort nonetheless.”
“We’re all very exited and happy for this win and regional title, and for the next day or so, we’ll get some rest, and hopefully a little healthier, and then prepare for Tuesday in Harvard,” said Bennett.