Pirates pick up first divisional win in 11 years

It would be a good idea if Proviso East soccer coach David Moss brings an extra shirt and pants to future games.

Moss had all the remaining water in the bucket poured over his head shortly after the Pirates picked up a 2-1 win over West Suburban Conference Gold Division foe Willowbrook on a warm Thursday night in Villa Park in the regular season finale.

The Pirates had good reason to be in a celebratory mood with it being their first divisional win in at least 11 years.

"I told you we were going to get a (divisional) win this year," said Moss, who also had a water bath after the Pirates won the Proviso West Tournament the first week in September. "I just didn't know it would come until the last game. It was our best game of the year. We held our own in the division this year. I thought we could have won a couple other games."

The two goals for Proviso East in the second half were scored by Juan Lechuga and Omar Romero with assists to Chris Acevedo and Francisco Madrigel.

"The goalie came out too far on both of the goals," Moss said.

Proviso East went ahead 1-0 early in the second half only to have Willowbrook score the equalizer 30 seconds later.

"We were feeling real good and all of a sudden the air went out of the balloon," Moss said. "The seniors kept saying we could still win the game and the others fed off that leadership."

Andrew Raya picked up the win in goal for the Pirates.

"Willowbrook had a few chances after we went ahead," Moss said. "There was no way he was going to let another one in. He would be a legitimate Division I goalie if he was four inches taller."

The No. 17-seeded Pirates hope to make it two straight wins when they play No. 16-seeded Proviso West at 4 p.m., Friday, in the opening round of the Downers Grove South Class AA Regional in Hillside.

Proviso East has a pair of one goal wins over their District 209 rival this season.

"It's going to be difficult to keep our kids motivated," Moss said. "We can't be looking ahead. We have to play like we did the previous two games against West. We both know how each other plays."

The winner moves into the semifinal round to face top seeded Downers South at 5 p.m., Oct. 17. The other game has Fenwick playing Ridgewood.