Metea Valley wins first varsity match

Updated: March 22, 2011 4:30PM

Thanks to some nifty play from a freshman and a junior, the Metea Valley boys soccer program is unbeaten against varsity competition.

Freshman Chris Freeman assisted Danny Shea's goal in the 12th minute and the Mustangs made it stand up in a 1-0 win against Plainfield North in the program's initial varsity-level match on Monday.

"It was a fun game to watch in that (North) tried to knock it around and we tried to knock it around, so I felt it was a quality soccer match, which might be a bit strange for this early in the season," Metea coach Josh Robinson said.

The match was evenly played throughout.

Freeman created the Metea goal when he used his speed to race up the sideline to the end line where he sent a perfectly placed cross to Shea, who ripped a shot past Plainfield North goalie Scott Workman.

"I decided to take on the defender and I saw Danny coming and I knew he could finish, which is why I played the ball to him," Freeman said.

Shea said he ran to the middle of the field once he saw Freeman dash past the defense along the sideline.

"Chris knows every time he moves up the field I will be right behind him every time, so I trailed the play and he played a great ball," Shea said.

The Tigers (0-1) had two shots hit posts in the first half and Plainfield North maintained consistent pressure for 80 minutes, but Metea's backline featuring Blake Erwin, Ian Baumgartner and Andrew Shin -- among others -- stood strong as did goalies Derek Carothers and Gabriel Gongora, who each played one half.

"We two very quality goalies and I have no problems playing them both," Johnson said.

Metea (1-0) will get a solid test today when the Mustangs travel to Hinsdale Central.

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