Boys soccer: Elk Grove nips Bartlett
A Michal Mroz-inspired Elk Grove (2-3-0) came back from two goals down twice to defeat visiting Bartlett Friday night in a nonconference boys soccer contest at the Grens' home park.
Mroz, the Grens' freshman keeper, made several brilliant goal-saving stops throughout the 80-minute affair to help keep his teammates in the game long enough until Patrick Mikina struck for the game-winner six minutes from time.
"It was a terrific team effort tonight led by Michal, who for a freshman, shows terrific leadership and the ability to make big saves when we need them most," said Elk Grove coach Darren LaRocque.
"(Elk Grove's) keeper did a great job on a couple of great chances we had, especially in the second half, but you've got to finish those chances and keep your opponent from scoring in order to win a game like this," said Bartlett (0-2-0) head coach Vince Revak.
The visiting Hawks got off to a flying start in the 9th minute when Giovanni Palid steered in the opener off a well played helper from Cesar Palomares, but the home side responded with a lovely equalizer off the boots of Edwin Suarez in the 18th minute.
Jonathan Rivas would give the Grens their first lead of the evening when he converted his spot kick at 25 minutes, only to see the Hawks draw back level on a David Estefania goal at the half-hour.
Mroz was fearless just after the intermission, stopping Patryk Pabian, Palomares, Sean Cox and Kai Arias in a span of ten minutes to keep things even, but the rookie keeper was unable to turn away Cox, who gave the visitors their last lead in the 52nd minute.
The Hawks would lose Palomares for the final 22 minutes to an injury and it was his pace, purpose and creativity in the middle of the park in which Revak would sorely miss.
"Cesar does so much for us out there, so it was tough to see him go out for the rest of the game," Revak said.
The Grens came back one last time with Rivas earning his second goal of the game in the 5th minute, setting the stage for the Mikina game-winner from a low blast that rattled off the far post and into the back of the net.
"It was nice to see the boys come back from our 4-0 loss to Buffalo Grove (Thursday) night and to see so many positive things for us to build on," said LaRocque, whose club travels to Wheeling on Tuesday night, while Bartlett takes on Streamwood next Wednesday in its Upstate Eight opener.