Raiders stun Dolphins before falling in quarters

Wells' Christian Haro (left) battles a Juarez player for the ball during their match at Marquette Park last Saturday.
(Ray Luna/For Pioneer Press)

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Nobody expected much from Wells in its Sweet 16 matchup with Whitney Young last Thursday.

After all, the Dolphins were slated to contend for a city title while the Raiders hadn't made the Elite 8 since the Chicago Public League made a format change to its playoff system in 2000.

That didn't stop Wells from coming out and giving its all. With a lot of energy and physical play the Raiders were able to force an extra session. But two overtimes didn't prove decisive so the game went to penalty kicks. Both teams made their first four tries before Wells goalie Jose Sanchez came up with a big save in net.

That gave Raiders' sophomore Ricardo Cortez a chance to win the game. The youngster stayed focus and drilled home the PK to give Wells a shocking 3-2 victory.

"I think people expected them to be in the city championship and we took care of business," Raiders' head coach Matt Render said. "Cortez had ice water in his veins. He put the ball down and beat the goalie on the right side, no problem. I think the people in the stands were more nervous than he was."

Also scoring on penalty kicks for Wells were Sadick Doubare, Gustavo Rebolledo, Miguel Diaz and Rene Salgado.

The Raiders two goals during regulation came from Ceasar Padilla off a header to tie the game at 1-1 in the first half and a 30-yard free kick by Rebolledo in the second half to tie the game at 2-2.

"That's was the best set play I've seen all season and probably the best goal in our history," Render said. "It was incredible and I hope there's video of it."

The win propelled Wells into the Elite Eight against Juarez last Saturday at Marquette Park.

Juarez took a quick 1-0 lead but the Raiders were determined to answer. Unfortunately, fate had other plans. Doubare had a shot go off the upright and a header go off the crossbar. Juarez notched two more second half goals and prevailed by the score of 3-0.

"I told Sadick to take the curse off his head," Bender said. "Because anytime you hit the bar twice during a game, it's known that there are other forces working against you."

Playing such a mentally exhausting game against Whitney Young did take its toll, but Render did his best to keep the kids focused.

"To be honest with you we were happy to be at this round," Render said. "We hadn't made it past the round of 16 before. I wouldn't say we were content just to be here because we had a real opportunity and a good plan to win."

The players came into the game hungry, but they just couldn't get past Juarez.

"We just wanted to play a good game and beat them but we couldn't," said Salgado, a senior defender. "But it was very exciting to get here for the first time. We're happy we got this far."

"It was very disappointing because this is the furthest we've gone and then we lost," said Rebolledo, a senior midfielder. "But it was exciting. We were a little nervous at the beginning and the balls weren't going in."

Wells, who averaged around three goals a game, had to play without their co-captain, Francisco Ventura, who was forced to sit after receiving a red card in the Sweet 16.

"With him I think it makes a big difference," Render said. "We certainly don't lose 3-0 because he provides offense."

Up next for Wells is the state playoffs. The Raiders play in the De La Salle Regional against the host Meteors, Wednesday, Oct. 16. The winner would most likely face Lane Tech.

"We'll practice even harder, that's how we get better," Salgado said. "We expected less (than what we've accomplished) this season but everyone has come through so far."