Win over Grayslake Central means another bright day for St. Viator

That dark cloud which was hanging over St. Viator's boys soccer team finally seems to have disappeared.

After a rough 0-5-0 start to the season, the Lions have roared back to win six of their last seven, including a 1-0 decision Tuesday night over visiting Grayslake Central (6-4-2) at Morris Field in Arlington Heights.

A 53rd-minute strike from Will Hartman was enough to give the hosts their fourth consecutive victory, much to the delight of coach Mike Taylor.

"We've never opened the season losing five straight, but when you consider we lost three-fourths of our back line, our keeper, two big-time scorers and plenty of experience, it wasn't a total surprise we began so badly," said Taylor. "We were lacking leadership, especially along the back. But after moving Miles (McDonnell) into the back things have turned around, and he's been a big reason for our success of late."

The senior has helped tighten things up in front of keeper Kevin Napoleon, who recorded his second straight shutout with some help from mates Thomas Scully and Kyle Borst, along with a little bit of good luck with the Rams missed a great chance from inside the 6 late in the match.

"There's a lot of new guys on this team, and it has taken some time for everyone to come together, find our identity, and understanding what St. Viator's tradition means in the sport of soccer," said McDonnell.

To Grayslake Central and first-year coach Tom Hamilton, meanwhile, it looked much like the same kind of quality soccer the Rams usually see from the Lions.

"Credit St. Viator," Hamilton said. "They earned their goal and the victory tonight, and we played very well in the second half. But we're past moral victories at this point in the season. Now we have to take that next step forward in order to get to the next level.

"To win, you have to finish your chances. It's that simple, and we had a couple of very good chances late, and we've got to put them in."

This nonconference affair was a rematch of sorts of the 2014 regional final at Chicago Amundsen, where St. Viator ended the Rams' 15-win season with a 2-1 decision.

The Lions enjoyed most of the play in the first half, as the Rams had trouble linking from the back to their midfielders. Grayslake Central was playing too directly for Hamilton's taste, which allowed St. Viator to keep the Rams' attack under control.

"We bypassed our midfield for almost the entire first half, which we addressed at the break," said Hamilton. "And we did much better in the second half."

McDonnell's sharp tackle on Nick Walker stopped the junior from getting in on Napoleon at the half hour.

At the other end of the park, Connor Gosell stopped an angled blast from Alberto Kovacevic to keep things goal-less heading into intermission.

The Rams conceded two corners and a trio of long throws from Borst during the first quarter-hour of the second period but defended them with confidence until Hartman found the game-winner.

"Those two freshmen (Hartman and Michael Tangredi) have combined now for two terrific goals, and they have helped give our team a nice lift of late," said Taylor.

Tangredi orchestrated the Hartman goal by staying active and persistent along the left side before playing a lovely ball across to his teammate, whose one-timer rested in the upper right corner.

Ethan Rockel, Leo Orozco, Bryan Wehde and Walker breathed some life into the Rams' attack shortly afterward, and in the 68th minute, Walker found himself with time and space in front of Napoleon, only to drive an attempt over the bar.

A free kick from Ethan Mendoza was pushed over the bar by Napoleon in the 76th minute, and later, with the end of regulation nearing, Randy Betancourth went over the bar as the Rams looked to equalize.

"We had a lot more quality in the second half, with better possession and movement, while our defense played much more compact than earlier," said Hamilton, whose team travels to Prairie Ridge on Thursday. "But again, we've got to finish our chances from here on out."

St. Viator simply hopes to the trend of recent successes continues.

"After giving away a couple of bad games to Lake Zurich and Carmel and allowing (20) goals in those five losses to start the season, we're finally beginning to play better," McDonnell said. "But there's a lot of work still ahead of us."