Red Devils can't hold early lead against Huskies

Photos coutesy of Harry Bull

By Curt Herron

Allowing the first goal in a West Suburban Conference Silver Division match figures to be a big problem this season.

And that is especially the case whenever it happens to a road team that is up against one of the league's top squads.

But that was the situation that Oak Park and River Forest found itself in during Tuesday's match at Hinsdale Central.

The Red Devils struck first in the showdown at Centennial Field, connecting with 7:40 remaining in the opening half.

But OPRF's players, who were sporting their new Mohawk haircuts, didn't panic and got the equalizer just 2:11 later.

While chances were pretty even during the initial 40 minutes, the visitors owned a big advantage following the break.

And with 28:46 remaining in the match, the Huskies connected again to move in front for good against the Red Devils.

Junior Ryan Huettel put in a short try for the go-ahead score, which followed a cross from freshman Marcus Machado.

The Huskie defense didn't allow the Red Devils to put much pressure on keeper Sam Euler during the rest of the match.

As if getting another shot past perhaps the state's top goalie wasn't enough, Hinsdale had other problems with Euler.

OPRF's keeper gave the Red Devils additional headaches by sending dangerous free kicks from various spots on the field.

With the skies darkening and the threat of severe weather almost assured, OPRF stayed focused on running out the clock.

Coach Paul Wright's squad still held a 2-1 advantage when play was finally halted with 9:08 remaining due to lightning.

OPRF (8-1-2), which also has to play at Lyons Township and Downers Grove North, leads the WSC Silver with a 2-0 mark.

Click to hear coach Paul Wright interview

Things were looking up for Hinsdale (6-4, 1-1) after it got a shot past Euler on a restart late in the opening half.

Gareth Parsons sent a free kick in front of the net and Andrew Worthington flicked it in to put the Red Devils ahead.

But the Huskies capitalized on a similar situation a short time later to again even things up heading into the break.

Euler sent a free kick from just inside the midfield stripe toward Stephen Golz, who headed in the ball for the goal.

Both squads had another chance in the final 70 seconds of the opening half, but each try just missed finding the mark.

Hinsdale's R.J. Dralle had the first opportunity, sending a shot just wide following a corner kick from Mitch Reavis.

Then with just 15 seconds left, Euler directed a long free kick toward the net but keeper Will Meyer knocked it away.

OPRF set the tone in the second half when Dimeji Williams fired in a liner that Meyer deflected just 90 seconds in.

About six minutes later, Euler directed another long free kick toward his counterpart, but it bounced over the net.

That set the table for the final score, which Huettel quickly reacted to after receiving a great cross from Machado.

Click to hear Ryan Huettel interview

The Huskies nearly added another score with 26:10 remaining but a short attempt from Golz bounced off of the post.

A bit later, Golz forced a corner by Machado, with the first try being cleared before Zack Weigel sent a header wide.

The last threat for coach Mike Wiggins' squad came with 18:40 left when Parsons lined a free kick to the OPRF keeper.

About five minutes before the match ended, Williams was denied on a short attempt following another Euler free kick.

Click to hear coach Mike Wiggins interview

In the initial 10 minutes of the match, Huettel sent a free kick to Meyer and Parsons did the same thing to Euler.

Hinsdale's Mike Oleferchik responded with another long free kick that went to the Huskie keeper a few minutes later.

Just prior to the midway point of the half, OPRF's Roman Zwarycz was denied following a throw in from Kelly Foran.

There were few real threats during the next 13 minutes, but then both squads scored within a span of 131 seconds.

OPRF plays at Downers Grove South Thursday evening while Hinsdale travels to Naperville Central Saturday afternoon.