Playing at a professional stadium for the first time and scoring a goal for Argo added up to what senior forward Mohamed Ahmed called “the best game of my life.”
Reavis freshman Krystian Paluch, though, created a special moment of his own and made sure Ahmed could not yet celebrate a conference championship to cap off an exciting night.
The Argonauts and Rams, the top two teams in the South Suburban Red, battled Thursday to a 2-2 tie at SeatGeek Stadium in Bridgeview.
“It was a big stadium,” Ahmed said. “There was a lot of cheering from both sides. There were different feelings than I’ve had playing soccer before. It was the best game of my life.”
The tie was a more positive result for Argo (9-3-4, 7-1-2), which still controls its destiny in the conference race. The Argonauts can clinch the championship with a win Tuesday over Oak Lawn in their final South Suburban Red game.
The Rams (9-4-3, 6-0-4) now need some help from the Spartans and a positive result Wednesday against Eisenhower.
Reavis, though, battled back from a 2-0 deficit to earn the draw Thursday.
After Pedro Guzman scored on a penalty kick in the first half, Paluch came through with the equalizer with 33 minutes, 8 seconds to go.
On a corner kick, Emanuel Montero’s cross found Guzman in the middle of the box. Guzman sent a header toward the goal and Paluch redirected the ball into the back of the net.
It was the second goal of the season for Paluch, a defender.
“It’s the best feeling,” Paluch said. “It’s fun to make a good defensive play, but scoring goals, you can’t explain that feeling, especially doing it in this environment.
“Professionals play on this field. It’s pretty much a dream come true. It’s crazy when you think about it.”
Reavis coach Mark Gniadek was not surprised to see Paluch deliver.
“Krystian’s incredible,” Gniadek said. “When I need an example of someone to do something the hardworking way, he’s my go-to guy already as a freshman. To have a freshman do that tonight in a big game is even better.”
Ahmed opened the scoring in the ninth minute when he took a pass from Michal Gacek, sprinted down the left side of the field and ripped a 15-yard shot inside the far post.
“It was the best feeling when we entered on the field, and when I scored, that was the best feeling of my life,” Ahmed said. “I’ve never felt anything like that before. The fans were screaming, and it was so exciting.”
Ahmed, in his first season at Argo after transferring from Richards, is hoping to experience his first conference title. Some of his teammates were part of the 2019 team that shared the South Suburban Red championship with Shepard.
“Reavis put pressure on us, but at the end, the tie was a good feeling because we’re still on top in the conference,” he said. “Hopefully, we’re going to beat Oak Lawn and win the conference.”
The Argonauts extended their lead to 2-0 in the 17th minute when Gerard Kleczewski scored off an assist from Ahmed.
In the end, though, they had to hold on for the tie.
“We’re still in first, we’re in the driver’s seat and we control our own destiny,” Argo coach Carlos Marquez said. “We wanted to clinch it (Thursday), but we know a 2-0 lead is never safe and Reavis always plays us tough.
“It’s a rivalry. There are bragging rights. It’s kind of like the Packers against the Bears.”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.