Hubs soccer team falls just short against Sterling

Golden Warriors defeat Rochelle 6-5 in regional preview

Russell Hodges
Posted 10/12/17

An overcast and brisk Thursday evening at Rochelle Township High School set the stage for a grueling conference battle between the Hubs varsity soccer team and the Sterling Golden Warriors.

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Hubs soccer team falls just short against Sterling

Golden Warriors defeat Rochelle 6-5 in regional preview

Posted

ROCHELLE — An overcast and brisk Thursday evening at Rochelle Township High School set the stage for a grueling conference battle between the Hubs varsity soccer team and the Sterling Golden Warriors.

The high-scoring, physical fight featured 11 total goals, four yellow cards and one red card. Both teams traded blows throughout the game, but the Golden Warriors landed the final blow, defeating Rochelle by a final score of 6-5 on Senior Night to drop the Hubs to 11-7-1 overall and 3-4-1 in the Northern Illinois Big 12 West.

“The boys proved that they can play at a high level,” head coach Brad Male said. “It’s a team game and we had a couple of breakdowns, but I was really encouraged with how the boys played.”

Sterling beat Rochelle 4-1 at home earlier this season, but the Hubs started Thursday’s game strong on their field, taking a 1-0 lead on a goal by junior Jessee Infante (3’). The Golden Warriors countered with back-to-back unanswered goals to jump ahead 2-1, only for Rochelle to respond when freshman Zane Walters assisted on Infante’s second goal of the game (22’).

“I think we performed exceptionally well offensively,” Male said. “There were a few things we still need to work on but they’re coming along. The conditions were tough today with the wet field, so I looked forward to seeing how the boys would play.”

The Golden Warriors regained the lead once again, but the Hubs showed no signs of slowing down, with freshman Brayan Orozco (31’) scoring to tie the game 3-3 after scoring one of Rochelle’s two goals in a 2-1 victory over Dixon on Wednesday. Sophomore Austin Brown (38’) connected off a pass by Infante to give Rochelle a 4-3 advantage, and by halftime, both teams had combined for more goals (7) then the two squads scored in their matchup earlier this year (5).

Any remaining sunlight faded in the second half, and as the conditions worsened, the Golden Warriors strengthened their attack, scoring three consecutive goals to take control of Thursday’s game 6-4. Sterling sent several balls over the middle of the Rochelle defense, and the Golden Warriors consistently beat the Hubs to the goal.

“We have to make sure we keep marking players,” Male said. “They’re fast on the front end and the back end, so we have to make sure we’re marking them and we’re communicating on the back end.”

Physicality from both sides increased as the second half progressed, with both sides causing several fouls including a red card by Sterling’s Miguel Gallardo. The Golden Warriors played the final minutes without one of their best players, and the Hubs took advantage of the Sterling miscue when Infante (75’) completed his hat trick to cut Sterling’s lead to one.

Rochelle had one final chance to tie the game as time expired, but a shot by sophomore Max Torres rolled just left of the Sterling net. The Hubs will end the regular season with a loss, but the boys have another chance to face the Golden Warriors on Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 4:30 p.m. in the IHSA Class 2A Regional Semifinals at Kaneland High School.

Sterling bounced Rochelle out of the regional tournament in 2016, and the No. 3 seeded Golden Warriors will aim for their sixth win over the No. 6 seeded Hubs in two seasons. Rochelle, on the other hand, will advance to the regional finals with a victory.