Chicagoland Soccer

Rockets deny Storm of another Hampshire title

By Curt Herron

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Central of Burlington has over 1500 fewer students than South Elgin does and that's why one program is in Class 2A and the other in 3A.

But enrollments of the two schools meant little when the Rockets and Storm met up in Saturday's title match of the Hampshire Tournament.

While South Elgin looked to capture a fourth straight championship in the event, Central hoped for a memorable performance in its debut.

And the Rockets certainly did just that after getting a quick goal and then adding two more scores before the break to claim a 4-0 lead.

Although the Storm had some great chances and even connected twice during the final half, the damage had already been done by Central.

Thanks to two goals apiece from Bryce Warner and Alan Camarena and a fine effort from keeper Brett Rau, the Rockets captured a 5-2 win.

Central (11-2-2) also got a goal and an assist from Paolo Sespene as well as two assists each from Chris Rodriguez and Ian Graffagna.

Meanwhile, Alberto Bustamante and Phil Saccameno scored goals while Josue Hernandez chipped in with an assist for the Storm (6-9-1).

South Elgin had won 10 straight matches in the tournament since 2009 and none of those previous wins had been closer than two goals.

That streak was snapped earlier in the day, however, when the Storm went to penalties before claiming a 3-2 win over Woodstock North.

While South Elgin has struggled, going 2-8-1 since a 4-1 start, the five goals allowed was two more than it had let up in any match.

"This was a coach's worst nightmare," Storm coach John Uveges said. "If you play with less heart than the other team, it will cost you. And when you have team dissension, it just made it even worse.

"They outplayed us and it really showed out there. They were the better team today. When you have more heart, then you're going to win the 50-50 balls, and they did that. This one really hurts."

Although the Storm threatened with shots from Tyler Piszczek and Matt Padron in the initial three minutes, the momentum soon shifted.

Central made its first good chance when a corner kick from Matt O'Connor led to a close-range score by Warner in the fourth minute.

Brad Yarwood was denied on a pair of tries surrounding a liner from Bustamante to Rau that completed the opening 10 minutes of play.

Shortly after Tyler Shipon halted a header from Sespene, Saccameno had an attempt deflected and Hernandez lined a corner kick to Rau.

The Rockets added to their advantage in the 22nd minute when Camarena put in a short attempt following an assist from Graffagna.

South Elgin tried to respond with a free kick from Adam Smith to the keeper and a Piszczek header that was cleared by a defender.

But Central effectively ended things by scoring twice within the final 3:32 of the half to take a decisive 4-0 lead at the break.

The score in the 37th minute came when Rodriguez sent a shot through the box and Camarena put a try into the opposite side of the net.

Then in the 38th minute, Rodriguez handed out an assist to Warner, who connected on a short attempt to put his team up by four goals.

"I was very proud of the boys throughout the whole tournament," Rockets coach Mike Gecan said. "Then to do what they did in the final against a team like South Elgin was great.

"We usually play 1A and 2A schools so we thrive for the chance to play 3A teams. We took advantage of an opportunity and were rewarded with a championship in our first time here.

"Our energy early and late in halves has been one of our strengths all season. This is a great group of young men and they've been working hard and things are starting to pay off."

Bustamante finally put the Storm on the scoreboard in the 45th minute when he fired in a liner that the Rocket keeper couldn't stop.

But Central responded with a goal in the 56th minute on a counterattack when Sespene connected following an assist from Graffagna.

South Elgin had some great chances the rest of the way but Rau came up with a series of key stops to keep the Rockets safely ahead.

Hernandez got free in front but his try was deflected over the net by Rau and Saccameno was denied on a defensive clear a bit later.

The Storm closed out the scoring in the 73rd minute when Hernandez sent a pass toward Saccameno, who connected from close range.

During the final two minutes, Central's keeper thwarted Saccameno after he got free and later hauled in a header from Erik Stacy.

In the Storm's semifinal win over Woodstock North, Bustamante and Hernandez scored goals prior to the outcome's decision by penalties.

South Elgin travels to Hononegah on Monday and to Minooka on Thursday before entertaining East Aurora in the home finale on Saturday.