Huskies blank Sabres for third straight home shutout

By Curt Herron

Although Streamwood had only won once heading into Thursday's Pepsi Showdown match at Oak Park and River Forest, the hosts certainly weren't taking things for granted.

That's because the Huskies knew all too well that the Sabres lost 2-1 to a ranked Libertyville squad on Tuesday and also had beaten a ranked Geneva team last week.

And OPRF coach Paul Wright had his squad well-prepared for the game plan that Streamwood would likely employ in their efforts to try to surprise another top squad.

Although the Huskies came out strong from the outset and dominated in possession and scoring chances against the Sabres, they had little to show for it at the break.

But OPRF finally broke a scoreless tie early in the second half and then added an insurance goal during the final few minutes to capture a 2-0 win at Oak Park Stadium.

Thomas Lamm scored both goals for the Huskies (4-0-2) while Dimeji Williams assisted on the first score and Sam Euler faced few threats to post the shutout in goal.

The Huskies began tournament play on Tuesday along with the other squads in the field, but stopped after regulation play with a 1-1 draw at Glenbrook South.

Because tournament rules dictate an overtime and shootout format, OPRF and Glenbrook South must complete that match before they conclude pool play on Saturday.

The teams will meet again at 1:30 p.m. at Lyons Township's West Field before OPRF takes on Libertyville and Glenbrook South faces Streamwood in 2:40 p.m. matches.

Libertyville hosts Glenbrook South on Friday and then whichever of the three squads wins their pool on the following day move on to Thursday's quarterfinal round.

Click to hear coach Paul Wright interview

One factor that already seems to be emerging as a definite strength for the Huskies is how well they've executed on the turf surface at their home field.

OPRF is 3-0 at home, with all three of the wins being shutouts. Meanwhile, the squad is 1-0-2 (minus the Glenbrook South match) away from the historic Stadium.

In Thursday's match, the Huskie defense limited Streamwood (1-10) to only a few chances, including two long free kicks, with all easily being handled by Euler.

Although the Huskies have used several different players along their back line, Zack Weigel is the only returning starter from last year's group of defenders.

Click to hear Zack Weigel interview

Meanwhile, the Huskies continue to move the ball around effectively on the turf, and that was shown in their ability to keep steady pressure on the Sabres' net.

While OPRF can count on being in any match that it plays with the talented Euler in the net, Streamwood also has a pretty good goalkeeper in Jose Resendiz.

The Sabres' keeper had his hands full during the opening 40 minutes but managed to stop everything that came his way, which as it turned out, was quite a bit.

Shortly before the midway point of the opening half, he stopped a short attempt by Mike Rajter and then punched away a corner kick from Gian luca Locasto.

A little later, Marcus Machado had a shot that was deflected away which resulted in a corner and Kelly Foran sent a liner that was headed away by a defender.

During the final 10 minutes of the first half, a long free kick led to Thomas Lamm's header to Ryan Huettel, who sent another header that hit the crossbar.

Shortly after Euler hauled in a long free kick from Victor Aguilar, Resendiz came out of the net to stop Lamm's efforts to head a short shot toward the net.

Streamwood had the first shot on goal following the break, albeit on another long free kick by Aguilar that was lined directly at the Huskie keeper.

OPRF finally broke through with 34:45 remaining when Williams found Lamm, who chipped in an attempt to give his team the only goal that they would need.

Click to hear Thomas Lamm interview

There were more chances prior to the midpoint of the second half with Stephen Golz sending two grounders on while Williams was high and Cory O'Donnell wide.

Later, Locasto had a corner kick punched away and was denied on a short try before Henry Burt had to clear away a Sabre attempt which followed a corner kick.

The Huskies kept up the pressure as O'Donnell lined a shot off the post and Huettel sent in a liner on a free kick that was stopped by the Sabres' keeper.

OPRF closed out the scoring with 6:16 to go when Lamm came up with a loose ball and fired in a line drive for his first multiple-goal effort of the season.