The postseason has been quite a roller-coaster ride for Bloom’s Angel Galvan.
The junior goalkeeper confirmed he beat himself up a bit over a mistake he made in the Blazing Trojans’ playoff opener. He rebounded with some of his best play of the season.
In the first sectional championship game in program history Friday night, Galvan and his defense shut out a powerful Romeoville offense for 100 minutes.
“We played as a team,” Galvan said. “We communicated like this was the last game we’d ever play in our lives. We defended all together and it was amazing.
“Honestly, I was so proud of every single player on our team.”
The proud Blazing Trojans fell just short as Romeoville prevailed 4-3 in the penalty kicks for a 1-0 win in a Class 3A Lockport Sectional championship game.
Galvan made seven saves for Bloom (21-6-2). Lucas Ortiz finished with four saves for Romeoville (26-1-1), which won the first sectional title in program history.
“This run meant everything,” Galvan said. “Our goals this year were to win sectionals and go to state, and we came really close. One of my goals was to be a part of the best team Bloom has had, and we did that.
“All I can do is look forward to next year and try 10 times harder.”
The postseason got off to a shaky start for Galvan, who let a ball slip through his fingers after it went off the head one of his defenders for an own goal in the first half of the regional semifinal against Eisenhower, tying the game at 1-1.
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Bloom came out anyway with a 3-1 win, and Galvan made some big saves in the Blazing Trojans’ ensuing victories over Lockport and Shepard.
Galvan gained a new sense of focus and an influx of motivation.
“I just had a whole change in mindset,” he said. “I practiced like I never practiced before. It was like a switch. Mistakes like that just flip a switch.
“That motivated me to do so much better for the rest of these games. I’m glad it happened because it was like a slap in the face.”
Galvan’s highlight saves Friday night included a leaping grab of Isaiah Pina’s header in the 20th minute and a stop on Joseph Duarte’s tricky shot from 25 yards in the second overtime.
“Angel knew he needed to step up his game,” Bloom coach Zack Radtke said. “He’s his biggest critic. After that happened, he went back to work and he went hard in practice. He got himself right.
“He’s a phenomenal goalkeeper. He made some important saves for us all through the year and (Friday).”
Brainy Perez, Miguel Vilchis and Jonathan Magana scored in the shootout for the Blazing Trojans, who led 3-2 after three rounds.
But Lucas Ortiz made a big save on Brandon Bravo’s shot in the fourth round, and Omar Ortiz’s shot in the fifth round slammed off the post and out, cruelly ending Bloom’s season in penalty kicks for the second straight year.
Brainy Perez, Hector Perez, Elder Perez and Leonardo Xolo led a huge defensive effort for the Blazing Trojans.
“I’m very proud of how far my team made it since most of these guys are juniors,” Brainy Perez said. “Next year, I hope they can make it even further.”
Brainy Perez and backup goalkeeper Carlos Acosta were the only seniors on Bloom’s roster.
Watching Romeoville celebrate after its fans stormed the field, the Blazing Trojans were already thinking about next year.
“We look at this crowd over here and it fuels us,” Bravo said. “It makes us want to come back stronger. We’ll take a short break and then we’ll get back to work.
“Next year, we’re coming back for sure.”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
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