Second-half strikes power Larkin

Coming into Tuesday night's Class AA sectional semifinal contest of the Streamwood sectional, Larkin knew a win would give it the opportunity to avenge a heartbreaking sectional final loss from the 2006 season.

After a scoreless first half, the Royals kicked it into high gear, scoring 2 quick second-half goals to guarantee themselves at least that chance as they held on to defeat Maine West 2-1. Larkin will meet Schaumburg, which edged Lake Park 1-0 after penalty kicks, in the sectional final round.

"We were a little off in the first half," said Larkin coach Ken Hall. "We just couldn't connect on the last pass."

Scoring opportunities were hardly a problem for the Royals, who out-shot Maine West 9-3 in the first half alone, with their first scoring chance coming in the first minute of action.

In fact, the Royals dominated early, not allowing Maine West a scoring opportunity until the 20th minute of play, a shot which sailed over the Larkin net.

Any first-half chances the Warriors did take were spoiled by either sweeper Fernando Alverez or goalkeeper Raziel Somarriba.

"Fernando is a first team all-state sweeper in my mind," said Hall. "There is not a better defender in the state. If there is, I haven't seen him."

Somarriba (7 saves) picked up anything Alverez missed, collecting huge saves in the 22nd minute and again in the 28th minute.

Just nine minutes into the second half, Larkin 'drew' first blood when midfielder Steven Drew found Danny Hinterlong in front of the net.

"Steven delivered a nice cross," said Hinterlong. "I headed it, and kicked it in on the rebound."

The goal gave Larkin (17-5-4) a much needed 1-0 lead.

"At the half, we just told the guys to relax," said Hall. "I told them to speed up play a bit, but we didn't make any adjustments."

Speed it up they did.

In the blink of an eye, the Royals attacked again. This time, Misael Hernandez fired off a blast from about 30 yards out which forward David Rodriguez gave a final touch to put it past charging Maine West goalkeeper Nate Andersen (9 saves).

The goal came three minutes after the first knock to quickly make it 2-0 in favor of the Royals.

"I was hoping to get that last goal," said Rodriguez. "Danny gave us the momentum that we needed."

Somarriba made a spectacular diving save on a big rip off the foot of Pawel Mirek with 20 minutes left to play and two more big saves late in the game.

It wasn't until the final 19 seconds of play that Maine West (12-7-5) would cut the lead in half. Following a corner, Stewart Turner-Jackson pushed one past Somarriba off of a feed by David Puka.

Time ran out before the Warriors could strike again.

"I thought we played well," said Maine West coach Mike Divincenzo. "We knew that Larkin was good with set piece goals so we tried to defend the corners and I think we did a good job of that.

With the win, Larkin advances to Thursday night's sectional final where they will face Schaumburg at 6 p.m.

"We know that Schaumburg has a strong midfield and they are on a run right now," said Hall.

Rodriguez likes Larkin's chances.

"We are really clicking right now," Rodriguez said. "I think we have a really great chance for a win Thursday."