LT Soccer Dominates in Showdown Opener

The Lyons Township boys soccer team had been looking to open their Pepsi Showdown qualifying account with a bang while getting back on the winning track following a 1-1 draw against St. Viator High School on September 3.

Tuesday afternoon, they handily accomplished both objectives.

The squad calmly disposed of Oswego High School 4-0 in the teams' first group game in the Pepsi Showdown, a prestigious state-wide tournament held for both girls and boys high school programs.

The team was at full strength as senior starting midfielders Kyle Kurfirst and Peter Gabrek returned from one-game red card bans.

Head coach Paul Labbato admits the team functions at a much higher level with Kurfirst, Gabrek and junior phenom Elliot Borge on the field all at once.

"We had a couple games where we felt a little discouraged [without them]," Labbato said. "The creativeness, size and strength of those three in the center of midfield really make our team go.

The Lions were off and running less than 15 minutes in as Kurfirst's overhead cross was tapped in by senior forward and leading scorer Horacio Sanchez.

LT dominated first-half possession, and doubled its lead on the stroke of half time when senior newcomer David Ellis half-volleyed a low drive into the bottom left corner.

The game appeared to be in hand for LT at half time, but their pressure remained relentless throughout the second half as they constantly bombarded the Oswego goal while allowing their opponents few chances offensively.

2-0 seemed to be a likely outcome until sophomore striker Brett Heimerdinger slotted a third goal past the Oswego goalkeeper to make the score 3-0. The fan section for the Lions was in soccer paradise.

And the beating didn't end there. Five minutes from time, Borge worked his way past several defenders before finishing off a fourth goal individually. Game, set, match.

Lyons Township's dominant display could be a sign of things to come, and top marksman Sanchez expects the team's on-field harmony to continue.

"One of our goals is to make it back to Toyota Park, so we are just trying to get the flow going as quickly as possible," Sanchez said.

The Pepsi Showdown championship, occurring late in September, will be played as part of a doubleheader with the Chicago Fire.

Toyota Park, which will host the tournament's final, was the location of the Lions' 2-1 heartbreak defeat to Neuqua Valley last season, and Labbato concedes that after drawing against St. Viator, it was essential for the home side to find their winning form again to kick off their tournament run.

"I think we needed to get back on track and to get back to that feeling where we see we can beat teams," Labbato said. "It's big to come out and get this win to start things off."

Lyons plays two more qualifying games against Loyola Academy and West Chicago High School on Thursday, Sep 9 and Saturday Sep. 11 before the knockout stage begins the following week.