Maine W. ends Elk Grove's run in overtime
Sophomore Cody Uidl scored a golden goal in the 93rd minute Friday night to give No. 7 seed Maine West a 2-1 victory over host Elk Grove and move the Warriors (12-6-4) into Tuesday's sectional semifinals at Streamwood against the winner of today's Larkin-Streamwood regional final.
Uidl provided the late drama when he smashed home a 10-yard blast after a rebound off Grens keeper Andy Larson. Frank Pulvino curled in a terrific back-post serve to initiate the game-winner.
"Frank was able to get a good ball to me and I was able to put it into the back of the net," said Uidl, who, unmarked, brought down the Pulvino helper before sending a first shot at Larson from close range.
"I never lost confidence in this team because we've come back from being down before a few times this season," said senior Austin Newbury, who was superb along the back line as the Warriors' sweeper.
Fresh off an upset victory on Wednesday over No. 2 Maine South (2-0), the Grens (7-13-1) looked good in the attack early, with forwards Anthony Vasquez and Leif Lundgren leading the way. Elk Grove's midfielders and defenders kept the Warriors at bay and unable to create dangerous opportunities.
"(Elk Grove) did well in the midfield in that first half, which forced an adjustment of two at the break, which included us going with three up top in the second-half," said Warriors coach Mike Divincenzo, who watched a large contingent of fans pour onto the pitch to celebrate his club's first regional title since 2004.
Daiki Abe, J.J. Lastovich, Victor Romulo and Garrett Greaves did well in the back for the hosts as the quartet stayed composed and kept its shape to frustrate the Warriors' attack led by scoring and assist leaders Emsad Zahirovic and David Puka, as well as sophomore Angel Herrera, who ran things in the middle for Divincenzo.
Just before intermission, Vasquez and Lundgren clicked to give the Grens the lead. Vasquez found the right inside netting after a marvelous serve by Lundgren allowed his front-line mate to bury his 10th strike of the season past Warriors keeper Nate Andersen.
Andersen robbed Mike Karkowski of a goal at 47 minutes when he took the ball off of the senior's foot. The stop proved very important for the Warriors just eight minutes later.
That's when Puka broke down the Grens' defense on a superb run and masterful pass which caught Zahirovic on the end of an enterprising diagonal run for the tying goal.
The goal energized the Warriors, who then sent extra numbers throughout the Grens' end. But once again, Maine West's defense and hard-working midfielders tracked back to defend and help preserve the tie and force OT.
"We had great momentum after the goal, but it suddenly was gone and (Elk Grove) carried that into the first over-time period and really had us on our heels," said Divincenzo.
"We've had a great 10 days or so when we've beat Conant in our regular season finale and then Maine South in our regional opener," said Elk Grove coach Joe Bush, "and we peaked a the right time to put together a terrific run here at the end."
• Today's Conant regional final match between Schaumburg and Conant will be played at 1:30 p.m. at Hoffman Estates High School.