St. Viator defeats DeSmet
St. Viator's boys soccer team labored to a 3-3 draw through regulation against DeSmet Jesuit of St. Louis on Friday. But the Lions found redemption with a 3-1 advantage in shootout to defeat the Spartans 4-3 in Arlington Heights.
The perennial Missouri power overcame 3 goals from Aiden Williams to finally draw even in the 71st minute, but after a goal-less 10-minute extra session, DeSmet came up short in its Illinois opener in advance of a match with Loyola on Saturday.
"DeSmet isn't the powerhouse it was two years ago when they just punished us for 80 minutes, but during that second half today, they pressured us about as much as an opponent has this season, and we just gave away two soft goals to help bring them back in the game," said St. Viator coach Mike Taylor, who was still smarting from the Lions' 1-0 loss at home to ESCC rival Marian Central on Wednesday. "We did little against Marian, and didn't deserve to win. But we came out early on to play some good soccer, then quickly found outselves behind because of some shoddy work along the back."
Gordon Hartweger gladly finished the opportunity he was given at six minutes, but the Lions (8-4-1), and specifically Williams, responded in the 12th minute. He beat slow-arriving Spartans keeper Ben Yeager, who came off his line originally to challenge Patrick Hickey's ball into the area.
Williams double the Lions' advantage in the 22nd minute when he easily converted his spot kick past a diving Yeager.
In contrast to its quality first period, the second half could not have started worse for the Lions, as Hartweger brought the Spartans (3-7-2) back level after a John Russo long throw was allowed to fall free at the back post.
DeSmet has played six top-10 teams in Missouri thus far, including No. 1 Chaminade, who defeated St. Viator (2-0) early this season.
The Spartans slowly earned the run of play - until Williams struck once again.
His driving, long free kick from Chris Beiersdorf gave the Lions a 3-2 advantage in the 58th minute, which held up until Desmet's Gavyn Brand dashed the hopes of a win in regulation.
In the shootout, Zach Gyurizca, Williams and Hickey converted, while the Spartans had 3 of their attempts turned away.
"Aaron Tres made 3 big saves for us against Leyden last weekend in shootout at the Pepsi, and he did it again today when we needed him oo," said Taylor.