Boys soccer; WW South pulls away from Schaumburg in 2nd half
Inspired by a four-goal second half explosion, Wheaton Warrenville South (2-0-1) overwhelmed host Schaumburg 5-0 Saturday afternoon at Gary Scholz Stadium.
Senior Marco Gonzalez' conversion of a penalty kick in the 5th minute would be the eventual game-winner. However, early second half goals from sophomores Robert Redlich and Jet Oehrlein would put the Tigers in firm control with a half-hour remaining to ensure the away victory for coach Guy Callipari's club.
"We're a really young team this season, but fortunately we have seniors like Marco (Gonzalez) and Chase Kedzior who lead by example, and the experience they have gained as varsity players," said Callipari, who is beginning year 32 of a magnificent career at South.
"The young guys are very technical and bring a lot of energy each time out," offered Gonzalez.
"Our new (young) players have shown they are capable of playing on this level, and so far, they have done well when we've needed them to," Kedzior said.
The Saxons (0-3-0) were clearly the better side from the opening whistle. But Gonzalez's successful spotkick - and a quality chance by freshman Semin Razman - followed by two more opportunities from sophomore Diego Bautista, then Gonzalez before the half-hour spelled trouble for the home side.
"We came out with a lot of energy, but it slowly disappeared, and we struggled with our work rate, and intensity," said Saxons coach Eric Sorby, whose club will play MSL rival Rolling Meadows on Wednesday.
Redlich doubled the Tigers' advantage at 42 minutes, before Oehrlein added another with his wicked 22-yard blast minutes later.
Kedzior would have the goal of the day when, on the turn, he unloaded an unstoppable cracker high into the back of the net in the 65th minute.
Gonzalez would send Bautista through with a marvelous early ball to make it 5-0 seven minutes from time.
The Tigers have three matches ahead of them, with nonconference contests against Willowbrook and Glenbard East, then St. Charles North in its DuKane Conference opener on Sept. 6.