Saint Viator's seniors carry the day in a win over Nazareth

By Mike Garofola

A successful Senior Day in Arlington Heights Wednesday afternoon might be the perfect send-off for Saint Viator, which begins its toughest stretch in ESCC play of the season.

On a sun-kissed day, the Lions (16-3-0, 6-0-0) defeated visiting Nazareth Academy (14-4-0, 4-3-0) 3-1 in a match in which head coach Mike Taylor started and played seniors only, on what the veteran coach deemed one of the most important games in all of his seniors’ careers.

"This is what it is all about," said a proud Taylor, who dressed all of the seniors in the Lions program, and would make sure each would earn plenty of quality minutes before the final whistle.

"We wanted to get everyone (in) today because that's just what we do on this day every (year) because it's a big day for those seniors and their families who have all made the commitment necessary to help continue our successful program." 

"It's a great (time) for all of the seniors in our program," added one of the Lions’ captains, Kevin Cavers."

"A lot of guys get a touch on the ball in a varsity match, maybe for the first time since coming here, and that's all good stuff."

Cavers, who would miss the first 6 full matches of the season due to an off-season injury, has been perhaps the key figure in the Lions overall game as the club moves one step closer to its 3rd straight ESCC title and hopeful run to a 2A state championship early next month.

"We have the toughest part of our conference schedule coming up beginning with a match at St. Joseph, and Marco Gutierrez, this Saturday," said Cavers, who opened the scoring on this day in the 15th minute to earn his 11th goal of the season.

"After (Joe's) we've got Carmel, then finish with Benet next Friday."

"All of us not only want that 3rd straight title, but (also) a 3rd straight undefeated run through the conference."

Cavers, like Taylor, was pleased with the effort from the club last weekend when it traveled to the 7th Mid-State Classic in East Peoria, where a 3-2 defeat in the championship match against defending 2A state champ Peoria Notre Dame didn't dampen the Lions spirit, despite ending a 14-game win streak.

The Lions would open tournament play with a 6-1 pasting of Charleston, then follow-up with a 4-2 win over Sacred-Heart Springfield, setting up what could be the final at North Central College on November 7.

"We went up (2-0) at half, before PND got even with us with about 7 minutes to go," recounted Taylor.

"We had a couple of great chances to go up, but were unable to get into the back of the net, and (they) did."

"For us, the effort was terrific, and that's all that we asked of the boys so (we) could come back and fix and tweak here and there in preparation of meeting them when it really counts."

"If we can neutralize their great striker up top (junior Vince Cicciarelli) we should be in a good spot to win it all."

Wednesday’s win came almost in a pedestrian way, as some smart play in the early stages gave way to less than clean play the rest of the way, and Taylor and his staff freely brought on a bevy of seniors who played over 5 underclass regulars.

Billy Hamilton would record his 16 helper on the season on the Cavers strike, then strike for his 5th at 26 minutes with Cavers returning the favor with his assist.

Alan Aboona would have a trio of quality chances to add to his team leading 24 goals, but the senior was unable to do so, especially late when Taylor would drop the big striker back into the middle.

Nazareth, one of the surprise clubs in the ESCC this season, would draw within 1-goal at 77 minutes when junior captain Alex Wilkinson drove a low drive past Eric Cruz, who was brought on for senior Patrick Windle at 67 minutes.

Cruz would start in spectacular style taking away a wicked cracker from Wilkinson at the near post.

As regulation neared an end, Mark Bernacchi made it 3-1 after taking a Brent Hubick ball in close.

"It was a good win, and a fun day for all of our seniors, but now it gets serious from here on out," Taylor said.

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