You know a team is playing well when they’re a little bit disappointed after a win.
Yes, the Highland Park boys soccer team defeated Glenbrook North 2-1 in an away match on Oct. 2, but it also ended its streak of five straight games without allowing a goal.
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“We all wanted to keep that streak alive,” said Highland Park Coach Blake Novotny. “But we’re happy with the win. I thought for the most part we played well out there.”
The victory extends an even more important streak for the Giants — it was their sixth in a row.
Highland Park took the lead early in the 14th minute when sophomore midfielder Ambrosio Toledo scored on a header off of a corner kick from just inside the back post. “He made a great play on it,” Novotny said. “He kind of got behind everyone and was able to get it in there. That’s his first goal for us, so we’re all really happy for him.”
The Giants dominated possession in the first half, and they were able to get a second goal in the 30th minute off of a free kick from about 30 yards out by senior forward Tony Barrios. He threaded the needle through the defenders, and it appeared to just miss senior forward Ethan Ochoa’s attempt to direct the ball in—but the ball went in the goal anyway.”That one someone how found its way in without touching anyone,” Novotny said. “I think that was Tony’s goal.”
Highland Park’s senior goalie Carlos Pineda continued his solid play in the first half, stopping anything that Glenbrook North was able to send his way. Toward the end of the first half he leapt to catch a Spartan corner kick in the air. He made the stop but remained on the ground for a few minutes. “It was nothing really, I just got the wind knocked out of me,” Pineda said after the game. “There was a lot of traffic and someone was knocked into me.”
Glenbrook North came out much more aggressive in the second half as a light drizzle began. The Spartans controlled possession and got several shots on goal, but the Highland Park defense did a good job of limiting the opportunities. Pineda didn’t have any difficult saves. About midway through the second half, Highland Park had the momentum swing back in their favor with several scoring chances. Their crisp midfield passing enabled them to control the ball and get two good scoring opportunities in the 58th and 59th minutes, but Glenbrook North was able to keep the deficit at two. They had another shot in the 67th minute and a free kick in the 69th minute that the Glenbrook North goalie, Ian Albert, was able to deflect over the goal for a save.
“I wouldn’t say that set pieces are our strong suit,” Novotny said. “But they seemed to work this game … I think we had some much prettier plays in the second half—but we didn’t get any goals out of them. So it doesn’t matter if they look pretty or not.”
Glenbrook North was finally able to break through in the 72nd minute on a corner kick. The initial kick bounced around in front of the goal before finally being knocked in.
“We just couldn’t clear it,” Pineda said. “And they got a good shot off.”
The win gives the Giants a 9-3-4 record on the season. Their next game is Thursday night at home against New Trier. In an earlier game this year at New Trier, the two fought to a 1-1 tie.