On Monday, Sept. 16, the Kaneland varsity boys soccer team hosted the Rochelle Hubs. It was a very hot and humid game, with the sun peeking out from behind the clouds and the Knights trying to secure an early season conference win.
Kaneland began warming up 45 minutes before game time, trying to prepare themselves for the long game ahead. Various drills such as passing, possession and shooting are used in warm-ups to get players ready for their positions.
The referees called over Kaneland’s captains- seniors Matthew Mitchinson, Adams, Cam Guernon and junior Noah McKittrick- for the coin toss to decide the start of the game. Kaneland won the toss and chose to start the game on their side of the field, leaving the kickoff to the Hubs.
Head varsity coach Scott Parillo started the pre-game talk by telling his team, “Hey let’s go. In the 10 games, [Rochelle] went 10-0. Don’t let us be the team that loses to them.”
The game started with both teams getting some attacks on goal by making mistakes around the field. Kaneland got ahead when Mitchinson sent a ball down the right side of the fiield to senior Jovani Ruiz, who outran all of Rochelle’s defenders and took an extra touch before sending the shot in and scoring with 33 minutes left in the half..
Kaneland began to gain some confidence and push up the field more, catching Rochelle’s forwards off-sides at points and also getting more shots on their goal.
Ruiz played to Mitchinson who dribbled past the defenders and struck the ball hard to goal, giving Kaneland a lead by two goals 20 minutes into the half.
It was at this point Parillo told his team, “Next five minutes. These next five minutes are important guys. let’s go!”
Rochelle got some opportunities on goal as the Kaneland defense had trouble staying in front of them.
“Watch the ball!” Parillo said. The coach understands it is important for players to focus on the ball and not the body language of the player so they do not get juked or dribbled around.
With 15 minutes left in the half, Rochelle got a run down field. Defender Josh Schimmel unsuccessfully tried to stop an opponent. Then junior defender Jackson Boryc stepped to the ball and was unable to stop him. The Rochelle player was able to score, making the score 2-1.
Center midfielder McKittrick sent the ball down to the bottom left corner of the penalty area where Ruiz dribbled between two defenders. His shot ricocheted off a Rochelle player and into the goal with six minutes left.
Both teams fought hard as the half came to a close. Both sides had more opportunities at goal as their opponents became exhausted.
The half ended with Kaneland up 3-1, which is not what Parillo hoped for. He asked the boys to give a general grade for the half and some said C-, while others a C or B-. In general, the team was not happy with their performance this half.
Some points that the boys pointed out they were struggling with was letting Rochelle’s players through the middle of the field. They also were not communicating with each other as well as they could, and it was causing miscommunication and mistakes.
Parillo had confidence that the boys had the potential to beat this team seven to one. He was upset over the outcome of the half and lack of finishing.
The second half began and the boys were fired up and rested. Ruiz took the ball to the right corner of the field trying to beat his defender. He just barely got by and sent it across the box, passing through the middle, where forward Guernon got the ball. He tapped the ball a couple feet to junior midfielder Abe Paulino who shot the ball, hitting the bottom right corner about five minutes into the second half.
Rochelle got a run down the middle of the field passing over our defense. Senior goalie Cooper Van Wagoner blocked the shot but the Rochelle forward was able to get his rebound, making the score 4-2 with about 18 minutes left in the game.
Rochelle fouled Ruiz in the 18 yard box. Ruiz took the penalty kick for the team and shot the ball right past the goalie. Another goal for the Knights.
Senior center-midfielder Manny Cepeda took a right corner kick, the ball got deflected back wide and Cepeda was able to pass to McKittrick who shot a wide range shot which soared to the far post with 7 minutes left in the game.
Rochelle got a shot off from the top right of the box two minutes before the end of the game. At this point many of the players from the bench had been subbed in to get some playing time. Rochelle continued to push and was able to get some shots off at the end. the score was ultimately six to three, with another conference win for Kaneland.
