Varsity Soccer |

GAME RECAP
Over the last few years, our games with Wheeling have been as intense and exciting as any, and many of those games have seen each of the squads battling for division and conference crowns.  This match set up much the same, as both teams entered the game atop their respective divisions, and both teams were perfect thus far in MSL play with identical 7-0 conference records.

Today’s match started out with the host Wildcats coming out firing.  A series of combinations among their attacking players allowed them to get into our goal area and have a few attempts at taking the lead.  Fortunately for us, the shots were either handled by our goalkeeper Brett Sprengel, or they weren’t on target.  We survived a few chances that we won’t want to make a habit of allowing.

As the game progressed, our Broncos grew into the game and started to create chances for our side.  Michael Blanke (who ended with a team high 7 shots on the day) had a very active day and took advantage of the space allowed in the Wheeling end.  His best chance of the first half came on a incisive serve from Gio Guarnero, putting Blanke in behind the Wildcats back line and in with just their keeper to beat.  Blanke fired a rocket on goal, but the Wheeling keeper was able to get enough of himself behind it to force the ball wide for a Bronco corner.

Klaus Pallan was also strong as the game moved forward, doing an excellent job of playing with his back to goal and holding up play so that we could exit our defensive end and move into the attack.  Without his play, we may have defended for many more moments than we did.

Halftime came and neither team found themselves able to jump out to a lead.  The score remained knotted at 0-0.

As the second half was just getting underway, our boys took advantage of the narrow Wheeling field, as Enrico Ruffolo tossed a throw-in into the Wildcats box and onto the head of Klaus Pallan.  Pallan advanced the ball into the goalmouth where Justin Funk slammed it into the top shelf of the net.  Funk’s goal was his second in as many games, and was well deserved as a result of his work rate.

Wheeling responded to allowing the goal by increasing their effort and energy.  For the next 10-15 minutes, they carried a significant amount of the play and came close to tying the game on a couple of occasions.  In the 62nd minute, they finally broke through.  The right winger for the Wildcats collected a ball played in just behind the line, just past Noah Sebens.  He found the side netting of the far post with a terrific finish that any player would be proud of.  With just under 18 minutes to play, the game was level again.

The momentum shift Wheeling had taken after giving up our first goal, now turned back in our favor following their goal.  (So many times you see that, where the team who scored rests just a little mentally and physically, and the team who conceded picks it up… and there she is, that lady they call momentum.)  Just three minutes after the Wheeling goal, we took the lead again, this time from the foot of Omkar Prabhavalkar.  Prabhavalkar found himself laying on the turf after a missed attempt, which bounced and ricocheted to Gio Guarnero, who passed the ball to a reclined Prabhavalkar who was laying on the turf.  Omkar did exactly what he should and put it in the net, while laying on the ground.  Awesome!  2-1 BHS!

The game would be sealed a little less than ten minutes later when Wheeling was caught sending everyone forward, and Prabhavalkar would make a great run onto a flicked ball from midfield off of the foot of Michael Blanke.  Omkar sped onto the ball and raced in alone with the Wildcat keeper, beating him to the nearpost and making the score 3-1 for our team.  With just 5+ minutes remaining we were in a place of great confidence to see the game out, which we did well.

The win puts our team in the MSL West drivers seat, with three games to play.  If we can take one point from the possible nine, we will clinch the division crown.  Up next is Palatine, this Friday at home at 4:45pm.  Our boys will look to close up the MSL West title with a win or a tie.

SCORING SUMMARY
BHS – Justin Funk (Klaus Pallan, Enrico Ruffolo) — 43rd minute
WHS – #4 — 62nd minute
BHS – Omkar Prabhavalkar (Gio Guarnero) — 65th minute
BHS – Omkar Prabhavalkar (Michael Blanke) — 74th minute

STAT SUMMARY
Fouls:  BHS 4, WHS 5
Corner kicks:  BHS 4, WHS 7
Offsides:  BHS 1, WHS 0