Boys soccer: Carmel Catholic shuts out Marian Central

It's spring break week and that allowed some younger players a chance to make their marks on the soccer field Wednesday night.

Carmel Catholic sophomore Sandro Pineda started a three-goal outburst in the final 20-minutes that lifted the host Corsairs past Marian Central Catholic 3-0 in an East Suburban Catholic Conference match in Mundelein.

Pineda scored his first goal of the season on a volley kick from the top of the box that was set up from a Nate Cordova corner kick in the 61st minute.

"I really didn't see it to go in, I just kicked it and it was an awesome feeling," Pineda said. "I'm not really good at volleys, but I was surprised that I got that one."

Pineda recently joined the starting line up and he's relished having help from the upperclassman on the team.

"It's really a great experience for the first time," Pineda said. "Hopefully, I can learn a lot from the older players. It has taken some time to adjust a bit with the whole COVID situation, but over the summer it was like getting as much playing time as possible."

Carmel (2-1-1, 1-1-0) got its other goals from Roman Lynch assisted by Adam Fendel in the 70th minute and Fendel assisted on the final goal in the 80th minute to Preston Pierce.

"We did have a good second half," Carmel coach Ray Krawzak said. "It took us a while to get in the roles that we were in with a lot of guys called up to play in this game. Eventually, we reorganized it at half. It was nice to see them adjust and prove to finish."

For Carmel, the team aspect of getting the opportunity to play is the main purpose this spring season.

"There's all kind of unique difficulties with this year," Krawzak said. "Everybody this year is enthusiastic to do the team thing. That's the feeling to be playing soccer and playing the game."

Carmel keeper Tim Harvey made 6 saves that included a couple of breakaway stops before the Corsairs scored their goals, one of which was deflected off Harvey from Marian Central's Christopher Ghita and hit the post.

Marian Central (0-1-1, 0-1-0) had a few other opportunities that missed the frame or were stopped by the Corsairs' defense.

"I thought both teams played very well, especially with the time with COVID and everything going on," Marian Central coach Art Dixon said. "Everybody is short-handed and I applaud them to a great game. I thought we kept our composure for most of the second half."

As for playing in the spring, the Hurricanes have had it a bit tougher than was expected.

"It's been a challenge at this point in time," Dixon said. "You're trying to deal with the weather, you're trying to deal with the indoor space vs. the outdoor space. It's definitely a challenge and it's tough. The boys are excited to be out here as a team and a unit after a year plus."