Boys soccer: Senese clutch goal sends Metea Valley past Waubonsie Valley
Michael Senese just wants to help his Metea Valley boys soccer team win.
During Tuesday's DuPage Valley Conference game down the road at Waubonsie Valley, Senese had an assist and a goal to lead the Mustangs to a 2-1 victory.
"My role is more offensive than defensive," he said. "But overall, I'm like everywhere trying to support our team."
Metea Valley (4-5, 2-0) enjoyed more scoring opportunities than the host Warriors (3-5-2, 0-2) but had nothing to show for it midway through. A late mistake tied the game at 1-1 with 1:24 left before halftime.
"It was still (like) 0-0 no matter what," Senese said. "We're playing like it's 0-0 no matter what so we just needed to score another one and we did that."
Senese had fired a pass to Nico Villalobos that the sophomore forward squeezed in during the 17th minute.
"I was running down and saw the ball, and in a split second didn't even think," Villalobos said. "I just put my foot there and it went up. I got so worried it was going to go over and then (it) hit the bar and went down and I was so excited. I was really glad to celebrate with my team."
Amiel Nichani gave the Warriors something to celebrate when he scored to draw the game even. Such excitement seemed to carry over into their second half attack with junior Lachlan Ladd applying the pressure, but nothing that would find the back of the net.
On the other end of the field, stellar defensive plays from goalkeeper Abrahm Tiburcio truly kept the Warriors within striking distance.
Arguably his best play of the night was when he denied what appeared to be a for-sure goal from Anthony Hildreth in the 49th minute.
"With the angle we had you can't tell me that wasn't going in," Mustangs coach Josh Robinson said. "Everyone was telling me that goalie was special. He was special. I'm proud of the boys. They were great tonight."
Senese provided the difference with 17:45 left when he took a ball from Hildreth near the top corner of the box and sent it bounding inside the opposite post to make it 2-1.
"I opened up wide because there is always a space wide," Senese said. "I just got one on one with him and was able to get past him and finish bottom left."
Ravi Shah and Patrick Maroney split goalkeeping duties 50/50 for the Mustangs who received a strong effort from their back line, including defenders Tony Cuautle, Jack Kusumpa and Eric Jernigan.
After losing 4-1 to Warren on Saturday, Robinson challenged his kids. They've now won twice in 48 hours.
"We asked the guys to come back this week and challenge themselves and have a little more edge to themselves and we've seen it," he said. "Tons of edge and they needed it in this game. It was fun to watch. Fun to be a part of."