Palatine finishes Jacobs' big run
The stirring postseason adventure for Jacobs came to a resounding halt in Lake Zurich Tuesday night when No. 6 seed Palatine proved one giant too many for the Golden Eagles' late-blooming soccer team.
Having beaten No. 2 seed St. Viator and No. 7 Cary-Grove in two previous upset victories, No. 17 Jacobs (10-16-0) allowed 2 goals in 10 minutes during the first half before falling to the Pirates (16-8-0) 3-0 in the second sectional semifinal of the Lake Zurich sectional.
Palatine will face top-seed Barrington (20-2-0) at 6 p.m. Thursday in the sectional final, with the winner advancing into next Monday's supersectional at Benedictine University in Lisle.
"Just as last Saturday (against) Lake Zurich, we knew and felt scoring first would be so important against a team who has had a terrific tournament run," said Palatine coach Willie Filian. "I like the way that we continued to pressure (Jacobs) and look to add to our lead all throughout the match and to make it a tough match for them to get back into."
Senior Louis Vargas easily earned man of the match honors for the Pirates as his perceptive use of the ball never allowed the Golden Eagles to relax for a second, while his work created space and opportunity for his teammates -- and an ovation from Jacobs coach Jim Dzialo at night's end.
"We haven't seen anyone like No. 9 (Vargas) at all this season," said Dzialo. "We were unable to find an answer, particularly in the first half. And after giving up that first goal, the second, then third … they were just a little too much for us to overcome tonight."
The Golden Eagles' marvelous run began to unravel when Joshua Clark redirected a rebound off a wonderful punch-and-save inside the 6 by keeper Danny Trevor at 18 minutes to finish a strong start by the Pirates.
Vargas and front-line mates Haris Haskovic and Glenn Arnold had too much pace and energy for their opponents. That trio, along with an experienced midfield, recorded nearly a dozen set-piece, long throw and corner kick opportunities in the first quarter hour leading up to the Clark finish.
Matt Bliznick cleared a sure goal off the end line for Jacobs at 24 minutes on a Haskovic attempt before Vargas electrified the Pirates' bench when he blasted a 25-yard shot after a Matt Marturano helper.
"That first goal for us was huge," began Vargas. "But getting that third one was even bigger because a 2-0 lead is always a dangerous one to protect."
Pirates keeper Ben Calvopina had an uneventful first 40 minutes of action, but the senior was called upon on two occasions after intermission to help preserve his club's lead and eventual shutout, his seventh of the season.
After Zach Compton made it 3-0 with a header at 49 minutes on a superb Clark serve, Calvopina turned away captain Taylor Pignataro, who had a strong go in close, and again later, when Mark Kyszka's left-footed blast came from the near post side.
"We may have a good bit of luck and fortune during the last couple of matches, and maybe our luck ran out against a very skilled and talented opponent," said Dzialo.
"But I am real proud of all of the guys and what they accomplished."