Wolves get back on right track

Oswego East's Kris Smith (20) just misses a collision while fighting for ball possession against Kaneland.
(Corey R. Minkanic/For the Beacon News

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MAPLE PARK -- Oswego East and Kaneland got together for a non-conference match in inclement weather Wednesday at Kaneland, with an eye toward regional play next week.

In a game that was closer than the final score indicated, Oswego East and Jake Paradise defeated the Knights 4-1 to improve to 9-9 on the season.

"We played our worst two games of the season before this one," said Oswego East coach Steve Szymanski, who is in his second year at the helm of the Wolves. "Today I told our guys to go out there and have fun, and I think they did. I think we're back on the right track now."

The game was a tight battle until the final minute, with Oswego East clinging to a 2-1 lead. Then Jorge Ontiveros took a feed from Paradise out in front of the goal and drilled the ball into the left corner of the net to seal the Wolves triumph with 47 seconds remaining.

Only 28 seconds later, Paradise again assisted on Eddie Gayton's goal which provided the final margin.

Oswego East got on the board eight minutes into the game when Paradise took a feed from Gayton and scored to put the Wolves up 1-0, a lead that remained until the second half.

The Knights (9-12-1) tied the score at 1-1 on a goal by Kevin Durrenberger -- assisted by Chris Ott -- with about 34 minutes left.

"Kevin turned and took a nice shot over their goalie's head after he'd come out a little, so it worked out fine," said Kaneland coach Scott Parillo. "I had some disciplinary issues (for a missed practice), so I didn't start five of my usual starters. They (the Wolves) popped in a goal when those guys were sitting. We played well most of the game, but we made some mistakes."

The Wolves took the lead for good with 24 minutes left on a penalty kick by Dan Pasillas. Kaneland's best opportunity down the stretch came when Luis Rivera shot just wide with 16 minutes left in the game.

East finishes its regular season today against Yorkville, while the Knights begin regional play Tuesday.

"We're a young team," said Szymanski, who starts only two seniors. "But I'm looking for good things in the playoffs."

Soccer: Oswego East 4, Kaneland 1