Carmel's title hopes still alive
The Carmel Catholic boys soccer team continues to jell making a strong bid in the East Suburban Catholic Conference race and getting ready to jump into the IHSA state tournament.
The latest Corsairs' success came Monday morning on their home field in a 3-0 victory over Marian Catholic.
With the triumph, the Corsairs (11-8, 6-1) sit a game back of both St. Viator and Marist in the ESCC standings.
The Corsairs, who visit Marist on Saturday morning, will need some help down the stretch. St. Viator plays at Marist today and at Benet Academy on Thursday.
“We played Benet, Glenbrook North, Stevenson and St. Viator, except a two-minute stretch, all of them we looked great, said Corsairs coach John Halloran. “Still, hopefully we can beat Marist. With a little bit bit of help we can get another conference championship and then who knows what will happen in the regional (at Stevenson). Anything can happen and it's a two-game season.
The Corsairs opens postseason action against Warren in the Class 3A regional semifinals of the Libertyville sectional at Stevenson next Wednesday. If the Corsairs take their opener, they would meet either Stevenson, Waukegan or top-seeded Lilbertyville.
On Monday, the Corsairs scored early in the third minute against Marian Catholic (4-15-2, 1-6) when Blake Quaiyoom made it 1-0 after taking a service from Phil Gross.
“It was a good cross set up from Gross, I just set it down and hit it, said Quaiyoom, who has 4 goals since he started the last six games as an outside midfielder. “I believe I've progressed throughout the season.
The Corsairs added a couple of insurance goals in the second half.
Shane Einloth knocked in a goal at the back post off a Gross corner kick in the 48th minute, and Ian Heinrich blasted the other one after taking a pass from Aaron Ogunro in the 68th minute.
Corsairs keeper Ryan May made a 2 stops and recorded his seventh shutout.
“(Carmel) was a good quality team and we were trying to survive, said Marian Catholic coach Nassar Shahtaji. “We wanted to give it a chance staying with them and we had a lot of energy. I'm disappointed with the number of goals we gave up on set pieces.