Lions bounce back against Palatine with a home victory

By Mike Garofola

After taking two steps backwards in a season-opening loss to Lake Zurich, St. Viator took an important step forward Saturday morning on its home pitch in Arlington Heights.

The defending 2A state champs earned their first victory of the season with an industrious effort over long-time rival Palatine in a 3-2 decision. The Lions (1-1-0) came back from a 2-1 deficit to score the next two goals, including the game-winner by senior Bill Krawzak

The win helped erase a rather disappointing defeat to begin the year.

“We've gone 0-2 for the past couple of seasons, but we never really mind that kind of start because the effort always seems to be (there) in those opening few matches," began Lions head coach Mike Taylor.

"But we didn't like what we saw (against) Lake Zurich, as the work rate was very poor and not acceptable. However, today, we were much improved, including better communication, and a very good first half ..... and now we go forward."

Jack Horvath, who along with his senior mate Krawzak, two players Taylor will lean on heavily to provide leadership, both on and away from the field, concurred completely with his coach, when asked about the difference in his club in its first two matches of the season.

"Lake Zurich was terrible," admitted Horvath, who with Krawzak combined for 15 goals during the Lions championship year.

"We were nervous, every one of us, but we didn't play well at all, and (Lake Zurich), who plays so fast, got the lead and never looked back, and we just did not look good playing on that day."

The Lions' were active and ready in the opening stages on Saturday, and immediately put the defending MSL champs on their defensive heels. In addition to Horvath and Krawzak, sophomores Michael Decker and Ashwin Cornelius helped amp up the attack of the homeside, leading up the first goal at 7 minutes.

Matt Morsches, another returning player from last season, used a deft touch to chip Palatine keeper Evan Held, who was unable to retreat back into his area after making a superb point-blank save on Horvath.

Just moments after the cheering would subside on the Lions sideline, the visitors would equalize when they converted yet another set-piece opportunity, in what has become a trademark for Pirates head coach Willie Filian during his 20 years as head coach.

The Lions would allow Jorge Caballero to roam free into the box to head a John Livaditis corner from the far side, and help ruin the solid start they had built.

"That goal, and the second one wasn't Mike's (Alegnani) at all," Horvath would say of the Lions keeper, who would share duty between the sticks with sophomore Mike McGrath as starter Scott Faul continues on the disabled list.

"We gave up bad goals against Lake Zurich, very much like we did today, and that will have to end if we hope to compete stronger in the postseason," said Taylor, who was none too pleased with what he saw defensively during the first half, especially after watching his backline fail to communicate with each other near the half hour mark when a poorly played clearing attempted resulted in Caballero finishing at the back post.

"Two mistakes, two goals for Palatine, not very good for us," offered Horvath.

Despite the one-goal deficit, the Lions came back to create a handful of chances leading into the break, including Decker's strike to bring his club even just moments before intermission, when he redirected a Krawzak helper just inside the near post and past Held.

"As the first half continued, we began a little more disorganized and lost our shape way too much,” Filian said. “It was our inexperience and the ability of St. Viator to take advantage of our backline that allowed them to get that goal before halftime, then take the lead for good.”

An unmarked Krawzak had plenty of time to head the go-ahead goal into the net at 52 minutes on Tim Hogaboom's helper, then 4 minutes later Decker and Cornelius nearly combined to double the Lions’ lead.

Held made another terrific sliding save on the Lions’ Adam Fetter at the back post in what looked like a sure goal, but it was a perfectly timed goal-saving clear off the line by the Lions’ Jack Simpson in the 80th minute on a Kosta Ristecki shot that helped preserve the victory.

"This is eventually going to be a very good team," began Horvath.

"We've got a bunch of new guys here this year, to go along with a solid core of returning players, and once everyone understands their role, and we get a few more weeks of (playing) together, we will do well."