Pirates upend Panthers again

It's not unheard of for the Proviso East soccer team to have a roster addition during the season.

What rarely has happened in the past, however, is for that player to step on the field and contribute right away.

Senior Chris Acevedo transferred to Proviso East from California at the beginning of the school year, but didn't come out right away for the soccer team.

Acevedo has provided a huge lift for the offensive attack of Proviso East in a very short time, scoring five goals in six games.

Acevedo scored the game winner in the second half on Saturday, as Proviso East posted a 2-1 win over Proviso West in a West Suburban Conference crossover in Hillside.

"This kid can play," Proviso East coach David Moss said. "Chris plays hard, is quick and has great soccer moves. He's a natural for the game. He's also a great student with straight A's.

"I'm calling colleges trying to get them to come out and take a look at this kid. He came out late and could not play until he had (attended) so many practices. He's still working himself into shape. He has a couple assists to go along with the goals."

The Panthers, who also lost to Proviso East earlier this year in overtime at the Proviso West Tournament the first week in September, took a 1-0 lead on a goal by Eduardo Gonzalez with 17 minutes, 1 second to play in the first half.

Gonzalez made a nice move on the goalie 15 yards out and kicked the ball into an open net.

The lead only held up for a short time as Proviso East scored the equalizer with 13:11 left until halftime on a goal by Oscar Rumero.

The Pirates had numerous chances in the second half to take the lead on shots by Rumero, Juan Lechuga and Acevedo, but each was rejected by Proviso West goalie Mario Arzate.

Proviso East finally scored the game winner with 9:30 to play by Acevedo, who split a pair of Proviso West defenders before turning and firing the shot into the upper right side of the goal.

"The defense has to be able to clear the ball," Proviso West coach Ignacio Ponce said.

The Panthers kept fighting down to the final horn with shots by Phillip Molley and Gonzalez in the final 60 seconds of play.

"It wasn't like they dominated the game," Ponce said. "It was still up in the air to the end."

The two District 209 rivals will play again on Oct. 12 in a first-round game at the Downers Grove South Class AA Regional.

"The pressure will be on them," Ponce said. "A loss like this should put a fire in their belly for the next time."

"(The two wins) is more of a psychological disadvantage for us," Moss said. "We can't just assume we are going to get another win. Proviso West kids are well coached. The first game we won in overtime and this was a one-goal game. We might turn a few heads (in the tournament) if our kids continue to come to practice and get in shape."