With five returning starters from last year’s quarterfinalist that finished 22-5-1, Sandburg’s soccer team operates under a sometimes perilous burden of having to fulfill big expectations. Just two games into the season, the Eagles seem poised to take on all challengers.
Sandburg relied on its athleticism and relentless offense to upend No. 4 Downers Grove South 2-0 in the first round of the Best of the West tournament Tuesday at Naperville Central. Three teams in the tournament–Sandburg, Waubonsie Valley and Downers South–were state quarterfinalists last year.
“We have some very creative guys with the ball,” Sandburg coach Jack Ferraro said. “We were able to get the ball into the middle of the field and control it.”
With just under 2 minutes left, Mike Duncan headed a perfect feed to sophomore midfielder Pat Gabrysiak, who scored from 25 yards. Sandburg scored again in the final 15 minutes when Duncan scored on a header on a pass from junior defender Ryan Gira.
In other action, Naperville Central beat Waubonsie Valley 2-1 to hand the Warriors their second straight loss. Mark Gister scored in the first half and assisted on Matt D’Ercola’s tally in the second half for Naperville.
At Naperville North, No. 7 Lincoln-Way (1-0) cruised past Hinsdale South 9-0 as Robbie Marshall and freshman Ned Grabavoy each had two goals and an assist. Russ Ceballos added two assists. No. 8 Naperville North (1-0-1) had no trouble with No. 9 Benet, routing the Redwings 6-1. Kevin Wickart had a hat trick and two assists and Sebastian Skital two goals for the Huskies. Benet is 1-1.
Manteno 4, Illinois Lutheran 0: Bryan Watters scored twice to lead Manteno (1-0).
Rich South tournament: Homewood-Flossmoor (1-0) blanked Lockport 3-0 as Alan Shahtaji, Andy McMahan and Seth Heilicser each scored. . . . Tom Mravle’s goal with just over 6 minutes left in the first half was enough for Joliet (1-0), which edged St. Ignatius 1-0. Jeronimo Estrada had 10 saves for the shutout.
Romeoville tournament: Spiros Tasldatis scored the lone goal for Lemont (1-0) in its 1-0 triumph over Minooka. Goalkeeper Brian Ludwig made six saves for the victors. . . . Matt Moran scored and Dave Paligi made 11 saves to help Andrew (2-0) post a 1-0 triumph over Romeoville.
St. Rita tournament: Nicho Gamino tallied twice as Mt. Carmel (1-0) rolled past Gordon Tech 5-0.
Stagg tournament: Matt Kutyna recorded three goals to lead Argo (1-0) in its 5-0 rout of Marian Catholic (0-2).
Thornridge tournament: Illiana Christian (1-0) scored four goals in the second half to beat the host school 4-2. Justin Huynh recorded three goals and one assist. . . . Eddie Herberto Zambrano had a goal and an assist and Elio Camejo also scored as Eisenhower (1-0) beat Crete-Monee 2-0.
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