Friars win invitational crown

Fenwick's Will Darley (12), scores the game-winning goal with a header off of Kilian Frailey's kick, in the second half during against Downers Grove South at the Willowbrook tournament. - Vincent D. Johnson/For Pioneer Press

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One goal in each of the three games was all the offense the Fenwick soccer team needed to go undefeated and win the title at the 18th annual Willowbrook Invitational.

Very little offense was required thanks to the excellent job being done in goal by Fenwick (3-0-1) senior and co-captain Gerald Taglia.

Taglia posted shutouts in all three tournament games and has yet to allow a goal this season.

"He's one heck of a goalie," Fenwick coach Robert Watson said. "He moves well and has great hands."

The Friars finished 3-0 in the tournament after a 1-0 win on Saturday over the tournament host. The lone goal was scored by Mike Stephany.

The entire defense expected a tough test on Thursday against a Glenbard South team which scored six goals in its tournament opener.

The Friars were up to the challenge and posted a 1-0 win over the Raiders. Connor Kramer scored the game-winning goal with the assist to Kilian Frailey.

Fenwick opened tournament play on Aug. 28 with another close call in a 1-0 win over Joliet Township.

What turned out to be the winning goal came off the foot of Frailey with 12 minutes, 20 seconds to go in the game.

Frailey broke free from the defense and won a one-on-one battle with Joliet goalie Mike Vertin. Frailey, who received a perfectly placed pass from Marty Reggi, fired the shot from the goal line.

"They were shifting and a hole opened up," Frailey said. "He (Reggi) timed the pass perfectly and put it right on my foot. There really wasn't much the goalie could do at that point."

Frailey, who did not see any time on the field in the first half, had limited playing minutes due to a groin injury. He has been going to a muscle activation therapist.

"I have not played consistently for four months," Frailey said. "It's a challenge to gauge how hard I can go. Sometimes I want to run faster than I should. It's more important now to give it some rest. Hopefully, I'll slowly get back into it. Watching has been tough."

"We're just waiting for him to get totally healthy," Watson said. "He's able to play 10-15 minutes. I figured one goal was all we needed. He's going to be our guy (offensively)."

Joliet certainly had its chances with 18 shots on goal, but Taglia was determined to keep the Steelmen off the scoreboard.

The best save of the day came when Taglia dove to his left to deflect a shot headed into the corner by Julio Perez with 15:02 left in the first half.

"I didn't see that one (save) coming at all," said Frailey from his view on the sideline. "He told me he got it with his forearm."