Kim, Hinsdale Central handle Schaumburg
Schaumburg put a little scare into No. 1 Hinsdale Central for a brief time in the second period Friday afternoon.
But the top-ranked boys soccer squad in the state ended the hopes of the Saxons with an inspired effort in the final quarter-hour in an impressive 5-2 victory on the first day of play at the Fremd Invite in Palatine.
Brandon Kim struck twice within a seven-minute span, and a stubborn Red Devils defense all but shut down the Saxons (2-3), who got off to a bright start in the second period only to see their chances of an upset slowly fade away.
“We came out and played very good soccer, and got (Hinsdale Central) to do some things that took them out of rhythm and their comfort zone,” said Saxons coach Hamid Mehreioskouei, whose club will face Class 2A state power Peoria Notre Dame on Saturday as the fourth annual tournament comes to an end. “But when we conceded that own-goal, it didn’t take long for them to seize the moment, relax, and get back to playing their style and with confidence.”
Long story short: Hinsdale Central certainly looks like it’s earned its acclaim.
“With us getting more attention as a top team in the state and national ranking (where the Red Devils are currently No. 21), everyone we face targets us on their schedule right now,” said Central coach Mike Wiggins, who in 1991 was an assistant under Fremd’s coach at the time, Gerardo Pagnani. “But I think the guys have done well with the extra pressure which comes with all of that.
“Schaumburg gave us some trouble at the start, and that own-goal maybe slowed their momentum a little bit. But once we found our game, we settled in to play some very good attacking soccer against a very good opponent.”
The Red Devils (7-0-1) also found it difficult to pry open their opponent’s back line, which was led by Cristian Michalowski and Luccas Greco. They tackled smartly while keeping nearly everything in front of them during the early exchanges.
The trouble started for Schaumburg when a bending serve from Kim aimed at Jack Niestrom was headed back toward the Saxons’ net by a defender and past keeper Edgar Avila.
The Saxons’ bad luck proved to be a piece of good fortune for the Red Devils, who soon doubled their lead when Jack Baderman was sent through by Jimmy Walker and scored in the 28th minute.
The subsequent pace from Sam Johnson, Kim and Niestrom proved too much for the Saxons. Johnson made it 3-0 with a nifty little touch on the outside of his right shooting boot.
Schaumburg didn’t let up, though, and the Saxons got a good start in the second period when senior Alan Santana scored in the 47th minute. Then teammate Kevin Hernandez unloaded a wicked shot from 30 yards to make it 3-2 at 58 minutes.
“This is a team that never gives in and has a spirit among all of us which allows us to play at the highest level, and with a lot of pride, knowing we can win each time out,” said captain TJ Schmidt, Hinsdale Central’s fine defensive midfielder.
The Red Devils shrugged off the Saxons’ surge, using Kim’s 2 goals to extend their advantage back to 3 with the senior putting icing on the victory at 77 minutes.
“We have to learn when you come in and play talented sides like Hinsdale, Peoria Notre Dame, and others, not to mention top teams every night in the MSL you have to come ready to play, and at a high level,” said Mehreioskouei. “Or you’re going to have a result like we did tonight.”
Elk Grove 2, Hoffman Estates 0: The host Grenadiers improved to 4-1 after a pair of second-half goals helped them past Hoffman Estates in Mid-Suburban League play.
Johnny Arzeta scored unassisted, Gio Garcia tallied with an assist from Eric Pillrath and Grens keeper Alberto Ceteno made 2 saves to earn a shutout.