Boys Soccer: Rochelle scores Senior Night victory over Morris

Casillas nets four goals as Hubs celebrate seniors with 5-0 win

By Russ Hodges, Sports Editor
Posted 10/8/24

Senior forward Alberto Casillas was the driving force on offense for the Rochelle Hub varsity soccer team Monday evening, when the purple and white celebrated their Senior Night with a dominant shutout victory over Morris in their final home match of the season.

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Boys Soccer: Rochelle scores Senior Night victory over Morris

Casillas nets four goals as Hubs celebrate seniors with 5-0 win

Posted

ROCHELLE — Senior forward Alberto Casillas was the driving force on offense for the Rochelle Hub varsity soccer team Monday evening, when the purple and white celebrated their Senior Night with a dominant shutout victory over Morris in their final home match of the season.

Casillas scored a team-high four goals, two during each half, as the Hubs rolled over Morris 5-0 on Senior Night. Rochelle (10-10-1, 4-4 Interstate 8) honored each of its seniors in a brief ceremony after the match. The seniors honored included Francisco Diaz, Fernando Diaz, Alberto Casillas, Bryan Garcia, Chris Castellanos, Alan Gutierrez, Adan Arguellez, Michael Munoz, Finn Hintzsche and managers Makayla Lara, Betty Flores and Arline Villanueva.

“What stands out about these seniors is their camaraderie and the effort they’ve put in,” head coach Brad Male said. “Our seniors add a lot to our team and it’s going to be hard to replace some of them. They have an enthusiasm for the game and it shows when we watch them play.”

Monday’s Interstate 8 contest was a rematch from earlier this season, when Rochelle cruised for a 6-0 victory at Morris. The Hubs were in full control once again, taking a 2-0 lead in the first half. Casillas struck first for Rochelle, beating a Morris defender inside the box and scoring in the 15th minute before adding another goal in the 22nd minute, when Casillas cashed in a redirected shot from junior forward Antonio Ruiz that was deflected by the Morris goalkeeper.

Ruiz and Casillas showcased their connection during the second half, when the two linked up for a pair of goals to extend the Rochelle lead. Ruiz assisted on both balls, hitting Casillas on a through ball and a cross into the box for goals in the 50th and 53rd minutes to put the Hubs up 4-0. Fittingly, two more seniors teamed up for the final goal of the evening, with midfielder Bryan Garcia assisting fellow midfielder Fernando Diaz in the 68th minute to seal the Rochelle victory.

“We’ve had some talks with Alberto during the season and he’s coming through,” Male said. “He’s realizing that he isn’t the only one up there and he’s working himself into more open positions. He’s getting rid of the ball sooner and that’s allowing him to get more shots on goal.”

The Hubs will play two more conference matches before beginning the IHSA 2A Sycamore Regional later this month. Rochelle will face LaSalle-Peru on the road this Wednesday before traveling to Ottawa next Monday. The Hubs, who earned the No. 8 seed in the regional tournament, will face the No. 6 seed Belvidere on the road. The date and time are TBA.

“We have to keep working as a team and make sure all 11 are ready to play,” Male said.