Lupian, Hersey edge energized Elk Grove
Nearly 100 minutes of soccer Monday night was easily in favor of Elk Grove.
But the bottom line showed Hersey as the victor.
Jesus Lupian provided the cutting edge, as the Huskies (1-1-0, 1-0-0) stunned the host Grenadiers with just 33 seconds remaining in extra time for a 2-1 victory in the Mid-Suburban League opener for both clubs.
Lupian, a senior transfer from Glenbrook South, scored his second goal in as many matches for the Huskies when he steamed into the area after collected a short ball out of the back. He sent his game-winner low and to the right of keeper Frankie Ortiz, who had little chance to turn away Lupian's well-placed shot.
"We're going to have to do whatever we can to be successful this season," said Huskies coach Darren Llewellyn, who has his youngest team ever since taking over the program five years ago.
"We didn't do a whole lot of things very well tonight, and with so many freshmen, sophomores and first-time varsity players on our roster this season, we're just going to have to work hard every day to get it right, or we are going to be in trouble in the MSL this season."
The sudden turn of events which stung the Grens (1-2-0, 0-1-1) before an enthusiastic crowd could not completely detract from Elk Grove's effort and at times, exciting run of play - especially leading up to and after a spectacular goal from Carlos Cisneros.
That goal brought the Grens even at 68 minutes and will rank among the top 10 scoring highlights of the season.
"If this was a season-ending match (tonight) we would all be very disappointed with a loss," said Grens coach Joe Bush. "But we played really well and we showed that we have a lot of skill and that we can play the game. I bet if we attempt (that) clear at the end 100 times, each time the ball will make it to the midline. But not tonight, and credit (their) guy who took the ball in and scored."
Junior Jonathan Krok, one of the few holdovers from the 2009 club, gave Hersey its first lead just minutes after Huskies keeper Irvin Velasquez - brought in by Llewellyn after the break - made an acrobatic save on a snapshot by Ernesto Rodriguez to keep the match scoreless.
Moments afer Krok's strike at 52 minutes, the sophomore Velasquez again answered the call when he turned away a point-blank shot by Cesar Rodriguez after the Grens captain brought down a crossfield serve with a deft touch.
The senior left shortly thereafter with a hip injury and did not return, leaving the stadium with ice bags around the injured area.
Cisneros eased the pain of the loss of his teammate when he took advantage of enough time and space to hit a 35-yard missile from the right side into the far inside netting at the back post to bring the Grens' faithful out of their seats in celebration.
The Cisneros equalizer energized the Grens, and they were all over the Huskies the final 12 minutes of regulation in a vain search for the go-ahead goal.
"We've got a lot of young guys out there right now, and those of us who have been around have to be strong leaders as we go through the process of learning what coach (Llewellyn) is teaching us to help us come together as a team," Krok said.
"Darrin had a lot of nice things to say about our team afterwards, and coming from him means a lot to (me) and our program," Bush said. "We're almost getting there, but there's still plenty of work to do."