Lions roar in rout of Notre Dame

By Mike Garofola

Saint Viator was hitting in top form against visiting Notre Dame Thursday afternoon in Arlington Heights, on the eve of its match with downstate class 2A power Gibault at the Pepsi Showdown in LaGrange.

The Lions (5-2-0, 1-0-0) made the visitors pay the price for its easy early season schedule by exploding for 4 first-half goals en route to a 9-0 victory. The ESCC opener for both sides ended early as officials enacted the IHSA 'mercy' rule.

"Needless to say that's a class side that we played today," said first-year head coach Chris Caudill of Notre Dame.

"We didn't do ourselves any favors allowing those two early goals, and we really did ourselves in when they got in just after the break and scored two more."

The results of this match were never in doubt after the home side struck for a trio of quick-fire goals just a quarter hour in, with captains Trevor Wheeler and Alan Aboona, plus Mark Lada each finding the back of the net.

Two minutes into the match, Wheeler burst into the area leaving Notre Dame defenders in his wake before slotting easily past keeper Alex Patushi, who would have little help in his 40 minutes of work before giving way to Kristian Acosta at the break.

Aboona was held, then dragged to the ground inside the box and the big striker converted with his spot kick at 6 minutes. Lada then took advantage of some confusion along the back to slice his low drive into the back of the net.

Notre Dame would spend the rest of the first-half in an aggressive offside trap in hopes of slowing the Lions runaway attack. Although they conceded a Kevin Cavers PK as intermission approached, the Lions kept hounding Notre Dame even as Viator head coach Mike Taylor substituted freely as the half went on.

"It was a good day for us to get everyone on our bench playing time, especially (Cavers) who has been chomping at the bit to get out there," said Taylor.

Taylor had promised beforehand that he would send one of his best out on the pitch to help ease the senior back following a long absence due to an injury suffered during the offseason.

"We want to get (Kevin) back and fit to go 80 minutes (for) us, but we also want to be careful not to put him in a situation where we don't rush him back too soon either."

Cavers looked in peak form just minutes after entering at 10 minutes and helped the Lions continue to dominate. He would have struck on two occasions if not for some bad luck in close on several chances.

Cavers converted his PK chance at 37 minutes to end the first half 4-nil for the home-side, and would alertly finish in close at 42 minutes to help open the second-half floodgates. The Lions found the back of the net 4 more times before the match ended well before the usual 80 minutes.

"Even in a match like this today, there's plenty of things to gain for all of us," said Wheeler.

"We've started to come around as a team, and having Kevin back (out) on the field for us is very important to us. I've felt that all during the week of the Glenbrook South tournament and right on through (having) us win the championship (there) that we are slowly coming together as a team."

The University of Wisconsin-bound Wheeler is thrilled to have his new address for next fall decided.

After visits to both Marquette and Indiana, Wheeler headed to central Wisconsin, and found the campus, coaching staff, soccer program and Madison all to his liking.

"I came back from (Madison) and 4 days later I knew it was the right place for me," admitted Wheeler, who spent some time with former all-state star Ata Ozbay (Barrington) who is a freshmen striker on the Badgers club and will host Wheeler later on when he makes an official visit to the campus.

"I really feel my decision to stay and play at St. Viator, versus going away to Florida and the national team camp was the right thing to do for me," continued Wheeler, who led the club in scoring in 2008 with 14 goals and 13 assists as it went 9-0-0 to win the ESCC title.

"You never get back (these) years in high school, and I am glad that I am back and playing here for coach Taylor."

After Wheeler and most of the first-11 came off, the Lions added  two late goals, including a post-rattling blast from Jack Simpson which found its way inside the near post after bruising the frame.

Patrick Windle and Scott Faul shared the clean-sheet after an easy time of it, although Windle did a nice job of taking a would-be shot in close off the shooting boots of Acosta at 31 minutes.

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Saint Viator starters vs. Notre Dame