As he worked his way up to becoming a three-year starter, Sebastian Palma did not always appreciate the way his Mount Carmel coaches continued to push him to get better.
After capping off his senior season as a captain and earning all-state honors as a defender, Palma now knows it was all worth it.
“The coaches were always on me,” Palma said. “A lot of times they were nagging me, and I didn’t really like that. But it really helped me out.
“It was a really good experience for me to be a captain and to be able to lead these guys. It was a really great honor. I’ve never had this experience before.”
Palma led another strong defensive performance Tuesday night as the Caravan made a big push for state.
Solorio came up with the winning goal in overtime, however, to tag Mount Carmel with a 1-0 defeat in the Class 2A St. Laurence Supersectional in Burbank.
“We had a great game,” Palma said. “This is the farthest any of us have made it in the playoffs. It’s a great experience, especially for a lot of the younger guys.
“Our forward, (sophomore) Brandon (Razo), was leading our attacking. Overall, we all really fought hard and pushed through, but we didn’t get the outcome.”
Andres Comp made five saves for Mount Carmel (14-4-5).
Orlando Ojeda’s goal on a header with 18 seconds left in the first OT lifted Solorio (21-3) into Friday’s state semifinals against Peoria Notre Dame (21-3-1).
Along with teammates Nico Mullen, Ryan Nichols and Emmanuel Hinojoza on the back line, Palma held the talented Sun Warriors in check most of the night.
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Solorio scored at least three goals in each of its first four playoff wins, but the Caravan were up for the challenge for nearly 90 minutes.
Mount Carmel coach Antonio Godinez was pleased to see Palma leading that charge.
“From the first day he came in to what he’s developed into, I’m proud of him,” Godinez said of Palma. “He didn’t say much as a freshman. He really didn’t write much, either. Now, to see him write out his goals, set goals for the future, that growth for us is really important.
“It’s more important than the game. That’s what I’m proud of — seeing that growth in these young men over four years.”
After Ojeda’s goal, Mount Carmel still had another 10-minute overtime to try to rally. The Caravan created a couple chances, but Mullen missed wide on a header and Nichols’ bouncing 40-yard shot was saved.
Mount Carmel’s best scoring opportunity came in the 35th minute, when Razo split a pair of defenders down the middle of the field and ripped a shot off the post.
Despite the loss, Comp knows there is plenty to be proud of for a team that overcame a ton adversity, including losing perhaps its best player before the season when Irving Moreno tore his ACL.
“Going into this season, we knew we were the underdogs with all our injuries, having one of our best players out,” Comp said. “We kind of came into the season knowing we have to do better, we have to step up for them.
“After that first game, it was kind of like, ‘Wow, we can actually play together and we can win.’ It was realizing that we don’t necessarily need those other guys to still compete. That’s when we realized we can go far.”
Comp had a huge year in his first season as the starting goalkeeper. Palma was always there to help him.
“Sebastian has saved my butt so many times,” Comp said. “I love him. I’ve been with him four years, and getting to finish this out with him and get this far together with him was great.”
Steve Millar is a freelancer reporter for the Daily Southtown.