Boys soccer: Gopalam's OT goal sends Stevenson to state
Roland Goins Stadium in Arlington Heights hosted perhaps the greatest night in Stevenson soccer history Tuesday when the Patriots - in extra time drama - beat New Trier to lift the supersectional trophy, and advance into Friday's 3A state semifinal.
Rohan Gopalam would deliver the game-winner when his 35-yard free kick went untouched and into the back of the net in the 93rd minute of the Patriots' 1-0 victory, and into the final weekend where they will face Naperville Central (24-3-1) at Garver Stadium at 7 p.m. on the campus of tourney host Hoffman Estates High School.
"All I wanted to do was put a good ball into the box with the hope that one of my teammates would get a head on it. But when I saw it go into the back of the net, and my name was announced as the goal scorer, (at) that time it was just an unreal feeling," said Gopalam, who turned in a terrific 80-minute performance in the middle of the park for coach PepeJon Chavez.
Chavez was an assistant to former head coach Mark Schartner when the Patriots made their only other appearance at state in 2012.
"Two great teams, who both play a wonderful brand of soccer, and who would treat a big crowd to some terrific and exciting soccer (and) we are very proud and thrilled with our effort, and the result," said a relieved Chavez.
The NSC champion Patriots (21-0-3) would endure some nervy moments in the first 20 minutes. The Trevians (18-2-5), behind classy all-state senior Evan Kanellos, as well as his teammates Aryan Krishna, Karsten Segall and Theo Franzen, put all-state candidate Steven Nyc and back line under considerable pressure.
"(They) had so much of the play in that opening 20 minutes, so we had to weather the storm for awhile as a team. (We) got some solid play from our keeper Aidan Morris, and slowly got ourselves back into the game, and finally played the way we wanted to," said Nyc.
Morris was in command in and around his box all throughout this 100 minute contest, especially in the air, where he was strong and confident whenever the Trevians were sending quality balls into the final third.
Nazar Mormul, Alex Xie and Gopalam provided the pace and purpose to the Patriots attack in the last 7-8 minutes before the intermission. But after a tepid start to the second period by both clubs, it would be Kanellos, then Franzen who went close to keep the Patriots faithful on the edge of their seats.
"It was kind of a back-and-forth game all night long, with both sides creating a handful of chances. We should have finished the chances we had, and I am sure they would say the same thing, but when you get into overtime games, anything can and usually happens to decide the winner," said Kanellos, who will play next fall at the University of Chicago.
Bryant Rouse nearly buried the game-winner in the 79th minute from 12 yards. And from that moment on, it was a tense, energy filled 20 minutes more of soccer.
Xie went wide in the 85th minute, while a close range effort from Kanellos was blocked on the way in.
Once into the second 10-minute extra session, Gopalam earned his Man of the Match honors to help the Patriots reach the goal they had set for themselves.
"All during summer training we talked about making it to state. Tonight we made that dream come true, but now we want more," admitted Nyc with a smile.