More Top Picks Best Board Game
player ready...One thing that Metea Valley’s David Guva doesn’t lack is confidence.
The sophomore forward carries himself with a maturity beyond his years on the soccer field, and the reason for that is simple.
“I’ve been training all of my life for these moments,” Guva said. “It’s just the love of the game, the passion. It’s wanting to play another practice, another day.”
He made sure the Mustangs earned another practice and at least one more game.
Guva scored both goals Tuesday night — one in each half — as 12th-seeded Metea Valley surprised sixth-seeded West Aurora 2-1 in a Class 3A East Aurora Regional semifinal.
After breaking the ice for Metea (10-7-4) on a goal with 6:53 remaining before halftime, Guva then converted a penalty kick with 23:42 left in the second half to push the lead to 2-0.
Roman Morales scored an acrobatic goal for West Aurora (8-8-2) with 7:47 left to play.
Guva, though, took it upon himself to get things going as the Mustangs moved on to a 4:30 p.m. Friday regional championship game against East Aurora (10-6-3), a 3-0 winner over Downers Grove North (8-11-1) in the other semifinal.
“I just had to step up and do something,” Guva said. “You can’t win without scoring goals. I just had to go out there and do what I do.”
Guva’s confidence in those situations stands out to Metea Valley coach Josh Robinson.
“He probably gets the most feedback and criticism from players and coaches because he’s raw as a sophomore,” Robinson said. “Then when the moment hits, he’s in the right place at the right time and he always does really well and finds a way to find the back of the net.”
Guva’s swagger was even more evident on his penalty kick.
“My biggest thing for him as a sophomore is he walked right up there and said, ‘I’ve got this,’” Robinson said.
Guva calmly stepped up and scored, but one of his teammates entered the box early and he had to do it over. No worries as Guva’s second attempt caromed off the right post and into the net.
“They didn’t like my first one, so I guess I had to do it a second time,” Guva said.
West Aurora found a way to get back into the game, however. Morales scored to cut the deficit to 2-1, the lone blemish against junior goalkeeper Gabe Molyboga.
“Roman scored a great goal,” West Aurora coach Kevin Briars said. “Really proud of our guys continuing to fight down 2-0. They didn’t let up.
“That can be difficult, especially when you start seeing the end of the road.”
More Top Picks Best Microphone Preamps For Home Studios
Molyboga got the nod in net when senior Chase Grosrenaud warmed up and didn’t feel ready to go with a thumb injury. Instead of fighting through, Grosenaud felt Molyboga deserved his chance.
“Gabe is amazing,” Robinson said. “They split time all season. As a leader, (Grosrenaud) goes, ‘I can’t do this today.’ They were both ready. They’re both each other’s biggest supporters.”
Guva, meanwhile, saw some action on the varsity as a freshman but didn’t make much of an impact. This season, however, he’s emerged as the Mustangs’ top scorer with 10 goals.
“Last year, I wasn’t doing my best,” Guva said. “I finally came out here and showed up. What clicked was just my mindset, realizing that you have to do what you do.”
That attitude allows Guva and his teammates to do what he wanted to do all along — play for a regional title Friday.
“Honestly, I’m out of words,” Guva said. “But I’m just grateful for having another practice, another day and an opportunity for a trophy on Friday.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.