Boys soccer: Score it as a big win for Castro, Christian Liberty
Jesse Castro's 3-goal first-half and eventual 5-goal total helped host Christian Liberty Academy (3-5-0) march past Morgan Park Academy 8-1 in a nonconference boys soccer matchup Friday in Arlington Heights.
The visiting Mustangs (0-3-0) had little time to get comfortable following a long drive from the Beverly neighborhood on the far south side of Chicago before Castro gave his club the upper hand with two strikes in the first seven minutes.
"After back-to-back tough losses, we really needed a game and a result like this," said Castro.
Morgan Park struggled to stay organized along the back line in the first quarter-hour as the Chargers poured in 4 goals.
"To be honest, it wasn't until this past Wednesday that we were able to finally complete our roster, and with just one senior and so many young guys on this roster, it's going to take us awhile to figure things out," said Morgan Park coach Travis Novack, whose club endured a nearly two-hour bus ride north.
The Chargers' rampant attack continued with Isaih Jaime using a feather touch to chip Mustangs keeper Elijah Ferguson at 10 minutes after Josh Tolford sent a lovely ball over the top. Then Jaime, a junior, gobbled up a poorly played ball and quickly put Castro through just 60 seconds later.
"A game like this helps build the confidence of each and every one of us, and it shows if we all play as a team, we'll get the type of result like we did today," said Jaime.
Castro converted his spot kick at 27 minutes. Soon after, Mustangs midfielder Niles Williams put an attempt on frame to force a save by CLA keeper Jimmy Cunningham.
Ben Woods, who was stationed in the middle of the Chargers' back line, enjoyed a terrific day in front of Cunningham, winning nearly every to help keep the Mustangs at bay.
Chargers coach Aaron DeRidder, who brought off most of his starting lineup as his club build its comfortable 5-goal advantage, sent the unit back on at the beginning of the second period, and it didn't take long for Castro to put two more into the back of the net.
Ben Rosen ended Cunningham's shutout bid when his blast from the right side rattled off the far post and over the end line.
Jaime scored on a 40-yard blast at the buzzer to complete the scoring.
"It's taking our defense some time to get comfortable with our new flat-four formation, and today we looked very good in the back, and, obviously, so did our offense," Castro said.
The Chargers will host Guerin Prep at 4:30 p.m. Monday.