Warren's rewarded with win over St. Charles North

Hard work does pay off - at least it did Monday for Warren's boys soccer team.

It took three games for the Blue Devils to get some goals, and also to earn their first victory of the season, as Warren got past St. Charles North 2-1 in the opening game of the Barrington Classic.

"You need to be a little bit gritty," Warren coach Jason Ahonen said. "You need to be physical. High school soccer isn't always the prettiest soccer. It comes down to who wants it more.

"Out of the three games that we've played so far, this was one that we were outplayed in so far. To get a goal that trickled in ... the way we've struggled offensively right now, I'll take goals anyway that we can get them."

The Blue Devils (1-1-1, 1-0) opened the season with a scoreless draw against Grayslake Central last week and lost on the road to Evanston 1-0 on Saturday.

On Monday, Warren's Jeremy Richter broke a 1-1 tie in the 43rd minute by sending in a ball that went off the goalkeeper's hands and across the line.

"Our goal is that we want to score in one out of every four chances," Ahonen said. "I really thought our seniors really carried us. There's a difference being a senior, with the pride and willingness to run through a wall for a team victory. Juniors and sophomores have years to come. Seniors realize that this is their last hurrah."

Blue Devils senior midfielder, Ivan Esquivel scored the opening goal in the 20th minute, and with some extra effort to beat two defenders and North Stars keeper Zack Norton while falling to the ground. Another senior, Alex Fratila, set up the goal with the assist.

St. Charles North (2-1, 0-1) got its goal from Alex Amro with a kick into the corner from Dylan Mientus assist in the 33rd minute, tying the game at 1-1. Amro has 2 goals in three games this season.

"I wanted to get some shots, and thought their keeper was kind of shaky," Amro said. "Before I saw a chance for a shot, I made a few touches and, luckily, with a deflection, I was able to get it."

The North Stars had won their opening two games, against Rockford East and Bartlett. But against Bartlett, they had to come from behind.

St. Charles North thought that it could do the same thing against Warren in the second half, but the Knights just couldn't find that good scoring opportunity.

"At times we had effort, but I thought it came in waves," St. Charles North coach Eric Willson said. "That's something we've got to get better at. I thought our play with 11 players on the field, our defensive play was inconsistent.

"Our pressure was good and we were causing turnovers. I thought the second half was a much different half for us. We didn't do the things that would get us back into the game or give us the lead. We do have the capability to score goals, and we've got a dangerous offense."

St. Charles North next meets Crystal Lake South at Barrington at 5 p.m. Wednesday, while Warren meets Wheaton Warrenville South at 5 p.m.