Blazers tie Red Devils, ready for Bartlett
Leyva scores twice in Addison

 

By Gary Larsen

Since taking over as head coach, Peter Ginter has seen his soccer program at Addison Trail take a stride forward.

“Four years ago we used to get blown out,” Ginter said. “And now we’re in every game.”

The Blazers have talent around the pitch, which was on display throughout their final regular season game on Thursday, a 2-2 tie against visiting Hinsdale Central.

Addison Trail (7-10) led 1-0 and then 2-1 before halftime on strikes off the foot of George Leyva. Leyva ripped a shot inside the near post from 25 yards out at 22 minutes, then broke in alone on net and went far post, 9 minutes before halftime.

And Leyva played a defensive stopper position throughout.

“(Leyva) is the most versatile player I have on this team. He can play sweeper, forward, and I’ve played him at multiple positions,” Ginter said. “Today I wanted us to be strong defensively in the middle, and he gave that to us today.”

With captains Ricardo Franco and Ismail Hernandez spearheading a dangerous attacking threat throughout the contest, and Javier Rodriguez showing his value to the team, Central coach Mike Wiggins knew his side was in for a battle on Thursday.

“Javier (Rodriguez) played tremendous, and he’s a special player. Then you’ve got (Hernandez), and they always have guys that are active around the ball,” Wiggins said. “We just know that (the Blazers) are well-prepared and they come out and give a great effort.”

Rodriguez showed exceptional ball skills in tight spaces throughout.

“Javier played with us at the end of last year’s playoffs, and he’s been a big addition for us. He broke his nose and didn’t play the beginning of the season with us, so it’s good to have him back,” Ginter said. “He’s a target  player and he can hold the ball long enough for us to get support players up there, and he can cause some havoc if he’s got some room.

“I also thought our sweeper, Geovanny Saucedo, did a good job of captaining the defense and keeping them together. He was pushing the defense up a lot better today, which allows us to get numbers forward more quickly.”

With an obvious lack of bench players, Ginter applauded his side’s effort throughout the contest. With the season now over for the lower levels, a slew of Addison Trail sophomore players will join the varsity for the team’s regional opener against Bartlett.

The Blazers were at a size disadvantage on Thursday, against a Central team that is traditionally strong on set pieces. Addison Trail only allowed one goal off a set piece, when Central’s Gareth Parson’s ran onto a ball and finished in the box after a throw-in.

Blazers’ goalkeeper Jesse Avelar also came up big for his side, charging well off his line and beating a Red Devil to a ball near the top of the box, helping to preserve the tie. Addison Trail opens regional play against Bartlett, at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, at St. Charles North.