Meza knows how to attract a big crowd

Dundee-Crown's Christian Meza doesn't like all the attention he's received in recent weeks.

Sure, he's been in headlines for his clutch performances and multi-goal masterpieces. But a different kind of coverage has been a challenge.

Not a match goes when Meza isn't getting two or more defenders assigned to defend him. In a key FVC Valley contest last week, Cary-Grove sent three aggressive markers in his direction.

Now he realizes that praise comes in all forms, even kicking, tugging, pushing and hip checking.

"I take it as a compliment that it's what they have to do to contain me," he shrugged. "It (stinks) for me. I obviously don't like it, but that's what they do. It only drives me to work harder and I know that it's making that last play that matters."

Forgive the Trojans if they felt threatened. The Chargers' senior forward had already broken their hearts with an overtime tally for a 2-1 victory on Sept. 11.

Although he's had to endure a gang of guards, Meza has consistently found a way to rise to the occasion with four game-winning goals this season.

After setting a single-season school record with 31 tallies as a 2006 Great Northwest pick, the Bradley-bound star potted 14 goals in his first 14 matches as a senior. He poured in seven during one seven-day stretch, including a dazzling goal and two assists in a key 3-1 win over first-place McHenry Sept. 25.

"From his freshman year all the way through, he's just showed real natural talent," Dundee-Crown coach Rey Vargas said. "And then just watching him with the ball and how he gets those shots off -- that's amazing."

Vargas got a scare when Meza went down with a foot injury in the 2-1 loss to Cary-Grove last week. The third-year standout, who is expected to set the school's career scoring mark later this season, was walking with a noticeable limp and not in uniform for the team's doubleheader at the Jacobs Invite Saturday.

"It's been bothering me," he said. "It's a little swollen on the top of my foot. I realized it's just a tournament and I need to rest it up. As long as I keep off of it and keep icing it, I should be back."

Even though he said he was less than 50 percent healthy, Meza attempted to play in the Chargers' tourney-opening 6-1 loss to state-ranked Geneva Friday.

D-C downed Hampshire 4-0 Saturday behind goals Wyatt Vucic and Corey Boe and two scores from Eddie Bernal, a catalyst and leader in the midfield.

The senior Boe stepped up again later in the day with the tying goal as the Chargers played Larkin to a 1-1 tie. Goalie Mike Zozokos finished with 11 saves hours after blanking Hampshire.

"I think we came out with some energy and we were ready to play today," said Vargas Saturday. "We're trying to build some momentum going into the state tournament. We just want to continue to keep doing what we've been and winning games."

D-C (9-6-2, 4-3) wraps up the regular season at Woodstock at 4:30 p.m. today (Thursday).

RAIDERS: Huntley's Nico Carbonara fired home five goals in a lopsided 9-2 nonconference victory over Belvidere Saturday.

The Red Raiders stayed atop the FVC Fox standings with a 2-1 win over Johnsburg Sept. 27. Dakota Pruitt found the net in the first half and buried a chance in the shootout as Huntley survived two overtimes and PKs.

The Raiders (9-7, 5-2) travel to Crystal Lake Central at 4:30 p.m. today.

TROJANS: Andy Roberts' unassisted goal proved the difference in Cary-Grove's 2-1 win over Dundee-Crown Sept. 27.

Keeper Keenan Walsh had eight saves for the Trojans (13-2, 5-2), who host Crystal Lake South at 6:30 p.m. today.

GATORS: Goalie Zach Dalzell earned his third straight shutout and ninth of the season as Crystal Lake South topped Jacobs 1-0 Sept. 27.

Kevin Novak provided the game-winner by scoring in his third straight contest. The Gators (11-7-1, 4-3) visit Cary-Grove at 6:30 p.m. tonight.

EAGLES: Jacobs reached the title match in its own tournament before falling to Geneva 3-1 Saturday.

The Golden Eagles (5-12, 0-7), who host McHenry at 6:30 p.m. today, had defeated Belvidere North (3-0), Hoffman Estates (3-2) and West Chicago (2-1) in pool play. Greg Pignataro managed the team's lone tally in the championship game.