Progress, even after loss, for Christian Liberty
After taking several steps backward during its season-opening loss, the boys soccer team from Christian Liberty Academy took a few giant steps forward Wednesday afternoon, even in defeat.
The Chargers’ effort impressed coach Jed Bennett and captain Aaron Karr, who shined brightly in goal in a 4-0 loss in Arlington Heights against Chicago Latin in an annual nonconference match.
“Today was so much better than Monday against Northridge,” said Karr, who made a handful of sensational saves in addition to providing leadership to a very young and inexperienced backline which had conceded 8 goals in the opener.
“It showed we had so many new guys on our team in our first game of the year, but we played faster, had better control of the ball and everyone looked a little more relaxed out there today,” continued Karr, who took over as Bennett’s starting keeper midway through last season.
“For a lot of these players,” said Bennett, “it will be like learning on the job during the first couple of weeks. But our improvement in just a couple of days is something we can now build off of.”
It was clear in the opening stages that Latin (1-1-0) had an edge in speed on the perimeter. And at six minutes, the visitors struck for the only goal they’d need.
After missing out on putting anything on frame on its first four corner kicks, the Romans converted when an unmarked Aiden Cozzi poured in a header from in close.
Phillip Alexandrov, just brought on by long-time coach Tom Bower, immediately made his presence felt as the junior doubled the Latin advantage by beating Karr after breaking through the Chargers’ back line.
“We had a great start today, but we got a little too eager after scoring those two quick goals and got a little sloppy, which is something we’ll address and work on when we get back to training,” said Bower, who has been at Latin for over 30 years.
The Chargers’ bench thought it deserved at least a free kick when the visitors played a ball back to keeper Matthew Roberts a bit too casually, resulting in the senior backup looking to obstruct both Joshua Tolford and Jeremiah Kim from collecting the loose ball. But no call was made.
Karr turned around terrific chances in close from Owen Burg and Henry Schuler, perhaps the Romans’ best player, just before intermission. But the senior didn’t have much of a chance when Schuler connected with Andy Colman at 57 minutes.
The Chargers’ attack was at its best when the ball was on the foot of newcomer Josh Groza, who was asked to play both sides of the ball at midfield for 80 minutes.
Jon Patterson nearly got in on Roberts, only to be stopped by a fine tack by sweeper Tyler Hagedorn. And Groza later thrilled the home fans with an enterprising run up the center channel before being stopped. But that was about it for the Chargers who later allowed a fourth goal from Harrison Gill.
“We’ve got a lot of untested players on this roster,” said Bennett, “but to see them play so much better in the second half makes the day and this game nothing but a positive for me.”