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Boys soccer: Buffalo Grove win over Hersey tightens MSL East race

The race is on in the Mid-Suburban East boys soccer season.

Division-leading Hersey saw its lead over two others erased Tuesday night after falling 1-0 to rival Buffalo Grove at Roland Goins Stadium, while hard-charging Wheeling recorded a 2-0 away victory over Prospect.

This night of results means all three clubs are even with each other with 12 points after the Huskies went into the evening 3 points clear of both teams.

"This was one we really needed tonight," said BG senior Michael Lollino, who along with his back line teammates defended magnificently in order to stop the Huskies' terrific duo of Ronan Wilcox and Patryk Bujak.

"A loss tonight and we're in big trouble," added Bison coach Darren Llewellyn. "It doesn't get easy from here on out, but earning three points tonight was a big deal."

The Huskies (6-3-1, 4-2-0) came into the contest with consecutive victories so the hope was those two key performances would provide the momentum needed for a win over the Bison (7-4-1, 4-2-0).

"We never had the energy I thought we would. Some of that was us, while you have to credit Buffalo Grove for preventing us from getting into any type of rhythm," said a disappointed Hersey coach Mike Rusniak. "They did a good job of keeping the ball away from Ronan in the first half, and he's the guy that makes us go."

There was very little possession as one might have expected, with both sides allowing just precious moments with their high-pressure tactics.

The best chance of the first half came moments after Llewellyn brought on Charlie Mancilla in the 22nd minute.

Soon afterward, the sophomore nearly made his mark on the game after Shane Adams and Brian Perez set him up to unload a blistering close range attempt which Hersey keeper Reece Delahanty made a brilliant kick save.

Rusniak and the Huskies' bench thought Delahanty had pulled down a deep throw from Alex Berk four minutes later, but instead would stand in disbelief when Jakub Szydlowski managed to slot past the fallen Hersey keeper for the eventual game-winner.

"My guys said No. 16 (Szydlowski) kicked the ball out of the hands of Reece but the fact of the matter is we didn't defend that long throw very well, and we should not have allowed them the opportunity in the first place," lamented Rusniak.

The home side started the second half much brighter than it had in the first period. Bujak would go close, as did Eric Worwa twice but it was a 30-yard missile off the bar from Wilcox that caused Llewellyn and his team to hold its breath.

"You saw when Ronan is left alone for just a second how dangerous he can be. Fortunately we didn't allow him much of anything tonight," said Llewellyn.

Anshul Biswas, Jack Couglin, Marcin Czaplinski, and Lollino would stay airtight in the final 10 minutes, while the Bison worked hard to win the ball in the middle of the park to keep the Huskies far away from keeper Adam Sempoch, who recorded the shutout.

"When we lost to Wheeling we bounced back with those two big wins over Barrington and Glenbrook South, so this team has proved to be resilient, and there's no doubt in my mind that's what they'll do next time out," said Rusniak.

His club will go to Conant on Thursday, when the Bison host Palatine, and Wheeling welcomes Rolling Meadows.

  Hersey's Patryk Bujak runs over Buffalo Grove's Michael Lollino as he tries to take procession of the ball in the first half of the boys soccer varsity matchup at Hersey on Tuesday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
  Hersey's Ronan Wilcox battles it out with Buffalo Grove's Jack Coughlin in the first half of the boys soccer varsity matchup at Hersey on Tuesday. Mark Welsh/mwelsh@dailyherald.com
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