Boys Soccer

Westminster blanks St. Edward to move on

Posted October 13, 2009 11:00 pm

By Allen Oshinski Daily Herald Correspondent

St. Edward goalkeeper Jim Cholewa and Westminster Christian's Luke Carani strain for a corner kick in front of the net Tuesday in Class 1A regional quarterfinal action in Elgin. John Starks | Staff Photographer

Balanced scoring has been a Westminster Christian trademark all year. That trait was in evidence again Tuesday as 4 players scored to help the Warriors defeat St. Edward, 4-0, in the quarterfinals of the Class 1A Westminster Christian boys soccer regional.

Ryan Beachler, Steven Hoeflich, JJ Marshal and Ishmael Yemoah scored, and Josh Beachler had a pair of assists for the Warriors (13-3-1).

The Warriors play North Shore Country Day at 1 p.m. on Saturday in the semifinals. NSCD beat Elgin Academy 3-0 Tuesday.

"This team is all the players on it," said Westminster coach Mike Richardson. "It's not one player or another. Every player has to contribute for our team to do well, and that's the beauty of our Westminster team here."

Marshal confirmed that the team takes pride in its offensive balance.

"Ten of our 11 starters have goals," he said.

Except for an early flurry by the Green Wave in which they had a couple of crosses, the Warriors dominated play. Marshal's goal put them ahead to stay in the 14th minute.

Hoeflich made it 2-0 about 10 minutes later on a rebound. Ryan Beachler scored 4 minutes later off Pierce McKenna's free kick to make it 3-0 at halftime.

"We got their defense off guard. They were worrying about the offsides and I was able to rip it in," said Ryan Beachler.

Yemoah scored on a nice breakaway midway through the second half for the final margin.

Scot Sutarik stopped 4 shots in goal for the Warriors.

The Green Wave (5-16) saw its season end, but wasn't disappointed.

"For 4-0, I thought we hung with them, especially in the second half," said Wave coach Tim Brieger. "In the first half, I told the guys that the goals weren't anything bad.

"Jim (Cholewa) I thought was outstanding in goal with some big grabs, and the seniors, (David Smith) and (Kevin) Dodgen."

North Shore Country Day 3, Elgin Academy 0: The Hilltoppers (5-9) saw their season come to an end Tuesday afternoon after they were defeated 3-0 by North Shore Country Day in the Class 1A Westminster Christian regional.

Tom Tunca recorded 10 saves in goal for Elgin Academy.

Courtney LaFerle contributed to this report.

St. Edward goalkeeper Jim Cholewa gets caught between teammate Austin Davis and Westminster Christian's Josh Beachler in front of the net Tuesday in Class 1A regional quarterfinal game in Elgin. John Starks | Staff Photographer

St. Edward's David Smith employs the bicycle kick against Westminster Christian Tuesday in the Class 1A regional quarterfinal game in Elgin. John Starks | Staff Photographer

Westminster Christian teammates congratulate Ishmael Yemoah Tuesday after his goal against St. Edward in the Class 1A regional quarterfinal game in Elgin. John Starks | Staff Photographer

St. Edward senior Kevin Dodgen controls the ball against Westminster Christian's Ben Carani Tuesday in the Class 1A regional quarterfinal game in Elgin. John Starks | Staff Photographer

St. Edward's Alex Ptak, left, and Johnny Shepherd try to keep the ball from Westminster Christian's Ryan Beachler Tuesday in the Class 1A regional quarterfinal game in Elgin. John Starks | Staff Photographer

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