Lions beat Deerfield to cap 2-1 showing in Pepsi Showdown pool play

By Curt Herron

Considering that Saint Viator lost so many key players from last year's Class 2A champions, coach Mike Taylor realized that it would take his team some time to come into its own.

And the veteran coach is starting to see that happen after his Lions completed a 2-1 run through pool play in the Pepsi Showdown with Saturday's 4-3 victory over Deerfield in LaGrange.

Saint Viator (4-2-1) bounced back from a 1-0 defeat to St. Charles North on Thursday. The North Stars (9-0-2) defeated Kelly 3-1 on Saturday to win the pool and move on to Thursday's quarterfinals.

The Lions jumped out to a 3-1 halftime advantage over the Warriors and then added another score following the break to hold off Deerfield, which converted a pair of penalty kicks in the final half.

Click to hear coach Mike Taylor interview

Nick Abel scored two goals and added an assist while Adam Fetter contributed three assists to lead the Lions to Saturday's victory.

After getting an assist on his team's first goal with a throw-in, Abel connected twice off of corner kicks from Fetter to help the Lions grab a two-goal halftime advantage.

Fetter set up Saint Viator's final goal, which was scored by Jack Horvath, after Deerfield closed to within 3-2 following its first of two penalty kicks from Joey Calistri.

The Lions are trying to schedule a match for Thursday and then they return to LaGrange on Saturday to meet up with another team from the Pepsi Showdown field.

Click to hear Adam Fetter interview