Sandburg clinches conference in penalties

Updated: March 22, 2011 5:24PM

Sandburg clinched the SouthWest Suburban Blue Conference title Tuesday, defeating Homewood-Flossmoor 1-0 in a shootout thriller on Senior Night in Orland Park.

"It feels good, since it was one of our goals," Sandburg coach Jack Ferraro said. "We have to learn to put the ball in the net in regulation, though."

It may have been Senior Night, but the night belonged to junior Danny Lojek, who scored the game-winner, and sophomore goalie Adam Zehme, who came up with two huge saves in the shootout.

"We wanted to win this one for the seniors," Lojek said. "Right before I took the shot, I relaxed and I just tried to slide it where I normally slide it. We were hoping on Zehme to save the shootout and he did, and then it was my responsibility to score."

Two 80-minute halves and two 10-minute overtimes was not enough for Sandburg (15-4, 5-0) and Homewood-Flossmoor (14-6-3, 2-3) to settle the match, so things went to a shootout.

The Vikings began the shootout, scoring on its first three shots, by Chris Venderly, Gilberto Garcia and Tony Crescenti. After matching the first round with a goal by Mike Burns, Pat Passafiume shot wide left and things looked bleak for the Eagles.

After a goal by the Eagles' Adam Gold made it 3-2 Vikings in the shootout, Zehme came up with two saves. Zack Grider scored the tying goal for Sandburg and Lojek put in the winning goal to end a long night of soccer.

Not only did Zehme not start the game, but this was his first shootout of his soccer career.

"I was really nervous and it was my first PK shootout ever," Zehme said. "I just reacted to the shots and tried to do whatever I had to do to win."

For the seniors, it was a good way to end their home-field careers, but their Sandburg playing days aren't over yet.

"We knew Zehme would save at least one, and even though we were down in the shootout we knew we'd win," Grider said. "Everyone has to contribute, no matter what year they are.

"It's great to get that last ‘W' on this home field, we clinched conference and here comes the playoffs."

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