Tomcats can't break through vs. Neuqua

Waubonsie Valley's Kris Singh delivers a pitch during Monday's Class 4A regional game against East Aurora. Singh tossed a shutout in the Warriors' 7-0 win.
Michael DiNovo / For the Beacon News

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NAPERVILLE -- Neuqua Valley senior soccer player Scott Davis was so overwhelmed by his game-winning goal against East Aurora Saturday, he had to step back and reconstruct the play in his mind.

While Davis thinks about that play, it is important to note that his goal in the 64th minute gave the Wildcats a 1-0 win over the Tomcats and the Class 3A Neuqua Valley Regional title.

Neuqua advances to the Class 3A Naperville Central Sectional Tuesday against Naperville North at 7 p.m. The Huskies advanced with a 3-1 win over Plainfield Central at the Bolingbrook Regional Friday.

Davis' goal came after a throw-in. With the ball bouncing around in the box, Davis executed a bicycle kick for the goal.

"I saw it bounce up around shoulder-high and it was too high for a volley because I think I would have been called for dangerous play, so I just went for it," Davis said. "The ball was coming down, so it was a little too low to be a full-out bike, but I hit it just perfectly and the goalie wasn't expecting it and it went right over his head."

It seemed only a matter of time before Neuqua (18-4-2 overall) finally broke through. In the game, the Wildcats had 11 shots on goal in addition to Davis' goal. But stout defense from East Aurora (12-7-4) kept a cap on the net until Davis was finally able to break through.

"They're a very good team," Neuqua coach Jim Johns said. "It's hard at this level, when they're playing that well, to get goals because they're smart enough to keep you out. When teams really concentrate on playing defense, it's not real easy to break them down."

With the Wildcats trying to get that first goal and later trying to tack on a goal for insurance, the Tomcats were able to generate some late chances with counterattacks after making defensive stops. Neuqua keeper Jack Turancik never had to make a save, but it's not as though East Aurora didn't threaten in the final minutes.

In the final seven minutes, Mauricio Barrales, Michael Amaro and Jesse Ortiz each had chances either cleared out of the zone before reaching the net or sail past the net.

"We just had to hold on against their chances and try to counterattack with our speed and quickness," East Aurora coach Jason Rollins said. "After they scored their goal, it looked like they dropped into a defensive formation and that allowed us to move the ball up front and try to get some chances. We had some good looks, but they play solid defense."

The Wildcats felt fortunate to survive what they felt was one of the toughest regionals in the state. Now, they face a familiar foe in Naperville North. Earlier this season, North jumped out to a 2-0 lead on Neuqua, only to see the Wildcats answer with four unanswered goals in a 4-2 win.

"We always have great games against Naperville North, so I won't be surprised if we have another one against them," Johns said. "It's always a super game. It's hard-fought and it's going to be emotional and both teams will play with a lot of passion. We'll just celebrate this now."