Indians use quick second-half scores to beat Tigers

By Curt Herron

 

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One of the four sets of lights at Minooka's stadium wasn't working for Tuesday's match against Plainfield North.

As a result, it was hard for fans to follow the action on the south end of the field for the senior night event.

But as the Indians headed into the field's north side for the second half, it was like a light was switched on.

Minooka struck just 15 seconds after the break for the first score and added a goal less than two minutes later.

From there, the Indians kept the Tigers at bay and wound up claiming a 2-0 Southwest Prairie Conference victory.

Thanks to the win, Minooka (11-7-1, 4-2) stayed just behind 4-1 Plainfield Central and Oswego in the SPC race.

Sergio Reyes scored the match-winner while Giacomo Raimondi connected off of a pass from senior Craig Phillips.

Senior Ayhan Ozgen recorded eight saves to help the Indians post their fourth shutout in the last nine matches.

Minooka's nine seniors were recognized and all were in the starting lineup, including the injured Joe Koenig.

The other six seniors are A.J. Bever, Matt Blackmore, Tyler Carnahan, Mo Esquivel, Johnny Perez and Adam Wilke.

"Games are decided in five-minute spans and that's what happened," Indians coach Chris Brolley said. "We switched two players around to change things up and get more control in the center mid after halftime and it turned out good.

"That was one solid conference match, but that's how it is this year. Every game is intense and we've won four very close ones. Plainfield North is a talented team that's really quick and they kept us on our toes the entire game.

"Pat Fox, Mauro Medina, Adam Wilke and A.J. Bever all played pretty well today in the back. Nick Miller did a good job of marking his guy and our center mids were winning the ball and I thought that Sergio Reyes had a great game.

"It was an all-around great effort and I'm happy for our seniors on senior night. We need some help from someone in the conference, but we're going to Plainfield South next week with a chance so that's all that you can ask for."

While it was understandable that the Indians would be happy, the Tigers also were pleased about their effort.

In the wake of losses to quality teams like Naperville Central and St. Charles East, North was hardly downcast.

But for the third straight match, the Tigers (5-9-3, 1-4) were unable to find a combination resulting in a goal.

"I was very impressed with how we played," Tigers coach Jim O'Hara said. "I thought that we played hard and matched their physical presence. But we need a scorer because you can afford to make a mistake if you're up 1-0 or 2-0.

"I was pleased with how we played in the first half and thought that the intensity would carry over to the second half but then they took advantage of a couple of opportunities and three minutes later, we were just demoralized.

"But we kept fighting and didn't give up until the final whistle. It was a good match and both sides worked very hard but they had opportunities and took advantage of them while we had opportunities and couldn't put them away."

The key score came shortly after both sides returned to the field to kick off the final 40 minutes of action.

Esquivel started things with a pass inside to Raimondi, whose short attempt was deflected by keeper Aaron Dunn.

But Reyes was there for the rebound, as he had been a day earlier for a late goal in a 4-3 win over Providence.

The visitors looked to answer that score a short time later but Zack Foust's free kick was hauled in by Ozgen.

After Bever sent a free kick the other way, Phillips sent a pass inside to Raimondi, who connected this time.

Minooka nearly scored again but Raimondi was denied and then his apparent goal was disallowed by an offside.

With less than three minutes gone in the final half and owning a two-goal lead, Minooka focused on its defense.

Not surprisingly, the Tigers had the majority of good chances after that but Ozgen and his backline stood firm.

"Pretty much the entire team helped out on defense," Ozgen said. "I think playing in front of the home crowd and having a lot of noise helped to pump up everybody. We were excited about playing tonight so we didn't come out slow.

"We played well in both halves. The last couple of games we haven't been playing that well in the first half and have let up two or three goals and then trying to come back. But my defense didn't let them have many shots tonight.

"This team never gives up. We've been down 2-0 or 3-0 going into the second half and scored last-second goals like yesterday against Providence. We continue to play and never put our heads down. Hopefully we'll keep playing well."

After Ozgen dove to stop an effort by James Thompson, Dunn thwarted attempts from both Esquivel and Blackmore.

Foust lined a free kick off the crossbar before Raimondi was denied just past the match's three-quarters mark.

Not long after that, Ozgen punched away a shot by Logan Wright and then halted a short attempt by Sam Puglisi.

The keeper later denied shots from Austin Hansen and Puglisi before punching a free kick from Garrett Gathman.

In the final five minutes, Ozgen deflected a Tyler Petprachan free kick and Dunn stopped a shot from Raimondi.

"I'm proud of how our team played," Bever said. "The game was getting pretty tense at the end and we didn't get caught up with that. About half of our team are seniors so it was good to have a night like this where we all played.

"Usually the second half is our best half, but we played a really good first half, which has been one of our goals the last couple of games. And if some things fall our way, we could still end up in first place in conference."

The match's first 10 minutes featured a header by Esquivel, a free kick from Foust and an attempt by Blackmore.

A bit later, a Carnahan free kick led to an Esquivel shot off a defender and Petprachan had a close-range try.

There was a lull before Foust saw a long free kick halted and Andres Castellanos and Esquivel exchanged shots.

In the final minutes of the first half, Dunn deflected a shot by Raimondi and Ozgen halted a Petprachan liner.

Minooka hosts South Elgin in its home finale on Thursday while North plays at Plainfield South that same day.