Joliet Catholic downs Marian Catholic in 2OT

Updated: September 21, 2011 9:18PM

Marian Catholic started the season with a hot streak, going 7-2-2 in the team’s first 11 games. Heading into a match on the road with East Suburban Catholic foe Joliet Catholic Wednesday, the Spartans were reeling, going 0-4-1 in the five games after the hot start.

“We’ve had some injuries, which has meant changes in the lineup,” Marian coach Nasser Shahtaji said. “When you change the lineup in this game, the chemistry changes and it completely changes the way a team plays.”

The hard times continued for Marian Catholic, as the Spartans fell 3-2 in double overtime to Joliet Catholic. Just as the season has been for the Spartans, the game was a rollercoaster.

Less than five minutes in, a penalty in the box on Marian (7-7-3, 1-2) set up a penalty kick for Joliet Catholic. Bryan Chavez sent it low right and the score was 1-0 Hilltoppers.

“The first goal we gave up was a cheap penalty for us and it cost us a goal,” Shahtaji said. “We really made our own mistakes and it cost us the game.”

With 2:30 remaining in the first half, Marian was able to tie things up with some brotherly love. Dominic Guarino sent a cross just outside the center of the box, which his younger brother Alec was able to head over the Joliet goalie and into the net to end the first half at 1-1.

With just under 10 minutes remaining in the game, Chavez dribbled through three defenders and found a wide open Cody Vercellotti in the box. Vercellotti sent a blast low and to the left corner to put Joliet up 2-1 late.

Just like in the first half, Marian would answer with late heroics. With under 10 seconds left Alec Guarino drove from left of the goal into the box and, as the goalie crashed upon him, flipped the ball over him and into the net to tie the game with five seconds left, sending the game to overtime.

One minute into the second and final overtime, Alec Guarino sent the possible game-winner just over the crossbar. A few seconds later a free kick from Alec 15 yards out was denied by the Joliet keeper. On the ensuing drive for Joliet (6-5-1, 2-2), Nicholas Legare hit the crossbar from 20 yards out and the ball bounced in to end it.

“We created opportunities, but our mistakes cost us,” Shahtaji said.

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