St. Charles East shuts out Marmion
Taylor Ortiz didn't have much time to react.
But the St. Charles East senior had a second or two to find teammate Zach Manibog.
The two connected with 12:58 remaining in the second half to break a scoreless tie with Marmion during Thursday afternoon's St. Charles East Invite game at Norris Stadium.
The Saints added an insurance goal several minutes later while denying the Cadets any chances in the second half in a 2-0 victory.
"We just needed to play our game," Ortiz said. "The last few games we haven't been doing what we should and something clicked in the second half. Now we just have to keep playing our game.'
Ortiz's assist came after Marmion goalkeeper Matt Fletched got a hand on Jordan Moore's shot.
The ball was bounding toward the touch line but Ortiz was able to pounce on it before it surpassed the line and send it to Manibog.
"It was close to going out near the back post," Ortiz said. "I just took a touch and thought I could take a shot or that Manibog would be sitting right in front. I saw him there and I'm going to give it to him every time."
St. Charles East (10-1-1) came out flat in the first half and nearly paid for it.
Marmion (7-7-0) got a shot from Quinn Gratz and a pair from Gavin Sanchez in the opening 17 minutes but proved unable to maintain its attack throughout the game.
"We are 13 guys deep," Cadets coach Ricky del Toro said. "But really, to complete with a top five team in the state, we showed that strategically we were very prepared for this game. We counterattacked in the first half and that was the strategy. We had our chance to put it away, we really did, but fatigue kicked in during the second half and that's the game."
The Saints dominated the second half, controlling possession and creating numerous scoring chances.
"We didn't work the ball in the first half. The ball was long, back to front, and our midfield were doing a fitness session in the middle going box to box and getting nothing for it," Jennison said. "The second half was a different story. I don't think we gave them a touch of the ball. We played how we're capable of playing."
The Saints got their second goal with 6:48 remaining from junior Evan DiLeonardi. Fletcher and Manibog collided in front of the net, while the loose ball was conveniently redirected toward DiLeonardi. Fletcher was able to recover somewhat, but DiLeonardi's shot slipped through his hands.
St. Charles East advanced to Saturday's championship game. The Saints will face Glenbard North at noon. The Cadets, who have won 6 of 8, will play a consolation game at 10 a.m.