Paprocki big in net for Mustangs

Updated: March 22, 2011 4:18PM

After suffering through sub-par seasons the past two years, goalie

Matt Paprocki and his teammates are intent on rebranding the Downers

North boys soccer program.

Jakob Mousel scored twice in the second half to erase a two-goal,

halftime deficit and help force a shootout in which Paprocki came up

with stops on the last two shots he faced as the No. 7 Trojans

prevailed 3-2 on penalties Thursday against host Wheaton Warrenville

South in a first-round game in the Pepsi Showdown for its seventh

consecutive win.

"This is a chance to make our name. This is a chance to prove it's not

just a couple wins early on and then we plateau off," said Paprocki,

who finished with four saves. "We're here for good and people have got

to look out for us. Coming back from 2-0 down just shows our

character."

Mousel, who scored in the 47th and 54th minutes, had to watch most of

the two overtime sessions and the shootout after leaving the game with

cramps. Not participating in the shootout was "brutal" for Mousel, but

he was thankful to have Paprocki in net.

"I have all the confidence in [Paprocki], he made some great saves in

regulation too," Mousel said. "He's gotten a lot better at coming out

and getting balls in the air, which is the one thing he struggled on

in the past. He's been working a lot on it."

Danny Burns scored on a spinning half-volley and Nate Fuster's

throw-in toward goal went in off Paprocki's hands to give the Tigers a

two-goal cushion at half. Joshua Dix made six saves for WW South

(3-3-1).

Paul Hogan, sophomore Anthony Jefferies, Reid Melton (assist) and

Stuart Melton all buried their penalties for the Downers North (7-0-1)

during the shootout, which the Trojans claimed 4-3. Burns, Alex

Brazeau and Hector Espino converted from the spot for the Tigers.

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