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Game story: Aurora Central stays hot, takes down St. Edward

By Jared Birchfield, 10/08/24, 11:15PM CDT

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Chargers score 4 thanks to braces from Gutierrez, new school record-holder VanDeman

AURORA – With his second half brace, Matt VanDeman set a new Aurora Central individual-scoring record of 53 goals in the Chargers’ 4-0 nonconference win over St. Edward on Tuesday at Bob Stewart Field.

His first strike, near the midpoint of the final 40 minutes, broke the school record of 51 set by Oscar Rodriguez in 2013. With 5:10 left to play, the junior set the new mark by directing an Alan Acosta corner kick into the net for his 25th goal of the season.

Starting goalie Luke Janosek, and second half keeper Elias Perez kept St. Edward (7-12-0) off the scoreboard for Aurora Central’s eighth shutout.

Defender Nathan Diedrich, the only Class of 2025 member on Aurora Central’s roster, had his own personal Senior Day. He was recognized at halftime for his four-year varsity career.

VanDeman, the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match and a three-year varsity player, met one of his soccer objectives with the historic tallies.

“One of the goals I set for myself going into my freshman year was I wanted to break the scoring record. I’m glad I can check that off my list,” VanDeman said. “I was a goal away on the corner kick, so I was a little greedy in front of goal. Once I saw the ball at the back of the net, I was just relieved.”

VanDeman’s record tying goal in the 59th minute was more challenging. While dribbling the ball up the left side, the junior had to fight off defenders before firing his shot from the left corner of the box

“I had to take on four or five kids to get to the goal,” the junior said, “But it was just really satisfying to see my solo goal at the back of net.”

Aurora Central coach Nazareth Jean-Marie values VanDeman’s adaptability.

“Matt is versatile. When he’s a forward, he can attack. If we need him to play in the midfield, he does that well, too,” the Aurora Central coach said. “He’s able to find goals. He’s always there, always looking for that opening.”

Giovannie Gutierrez, the team’s second-leading scorer with 12 goals, delivered a brace in the first half.

In the 15th minute, the forward gathered in a Diego Leon left-side cross and knocked the ball in from the right corner of box for the Chargers for the eventual game-winner.

St. Edward coach Tim Brieger said the goal came because of a defensive imbalance. 

“On the first goal, we just over committed to the one side with three guys,” he said.

Leon just missed doubling Aurora Central’s lead on its next attack. The sophomore midfielder’s blast bounced off of the right half of the cross bar.

Gutierrez extended the Chargers’ lead eight minutes later. The junior dribbled up the far touch line and sent the ball past Green Wave goalkeeper Axell Magana (six saves) from 20 yards.

“Our defender was trying to seal off (Gutierrez) and thought he had help, but he didn’t,” Brieger said.

The St. Edward manager felt Aurora Central definitely has a home field advantage.

“It took us a while to adjust to the smallness of the field. This is a very short, narrow field,” Brieger said. “We were giving up throw-ins left and right, and we had trouble trying to play the ball wide or play it out of the middle.”

Robert Sommer, the only senior on St. Edward’s roster, agreed that adapting to the Chargers’ pitch was a challenge.

“The size of the field definitely made a difference,” Sommer said. “We weren’t used to the small size. When we would play out to our corners or try to get a corner, it wouldn’t work.”

In addition to patrolling the backline, Sommer is St. Edward’s throw-in specialist. The Green Wave’s best scoring-opportunity in the first half came on the senior’s near side throw-in about 20 yards from Aurora Central’s end line. His well-aimed toss was headed away by Chargers defender Connor Dineen.

Sommer has mixed emotions about the end of his prep soccer career.

“Sad to be done, but I’m happy that I am leaving the team as it is, because I feel like they’re going to be pretty good,” he said.

Aurora Central is on a roll. In addition to their streak, the Chargers joined the Chicagoland Soccer Class A Super 7 poll Tuesday.

The team’s lone senior wants the run to continue and hopes to his high school career with a token of that success.

“I think this is definitely our strongest year, obviously, but they all have all been so much fun,” Diedrich said. “I think this year I’ve become more of a leader. I’d like to finish by winning a regional final and make a good run in the playoffs.”

Aurora Central last won a regional title in 2017.

Jean-Marie appreciates Diedrich’s impact on the Chargers’ backline.

“He has greater leadership, especially in the back. He’s always winning every ball. He’s always calm. He’s always moving the ball; and he’s always finding space,” the Chargers manager said.

“Both on the field and off the field, he is a good role model for everybody.”

Jean-Marie lauded Neil Mayer’s effort. The Aurora Central coach switched the junior from his normal midfield spot.

“He ended up being dropped in as the centerback. He’s very reliable, because he’s good on the ball,” the Aurora Central coach said. “He was very good in the midfield. We just needed someone who was solid in the back. 

“Neil has great leadership overall, and he managed the defense and the midfield in the beginning very well.”

Mayer’s plays the game nice and easy.

“Our coach likes when you play simple,” the junior said. “Just move the ball around, play it and quickly get it off your foot. 

“That was my goal this match, and that’s also the main goal every game. We have a small team physical -wise. A lot of teams we play are more physical than us, so it’s good to just get the ball off our feet and keep moving it.”

A rematch between the two squads in the Class A Genoa-Kingston Regional championship on Oct. 23 is possible. The Chargers, who have not lost to a Class A school this season, are the top seed in the Hinkley-Big Rock Sub-Sectional A. St. Edward is ranked seventh. Both teams would need to win their open regional contests to advance to the final.

Aurora Central (14-3-2, 4-1-2) stretched its unbeaten streak to 10 games (8-0-2) with a 4-4 Chicago Catholic League White Division tie in its final match of the regular-season Tuesday at home.

VanDeman scored a goal to up his school mark to 54.  For his career, he recorded eight markers in his freshman year, 20 as a sophomore and now sits at 26 goals in 2024.

 


Starting lineups

St. Edward
GK: Axell Magana
D: P.J. Tinajero
D: Mateo Perez
D: Marcus Fazel
D: Robert Sommer
MF: Cayden Arboleda
MF: Drew Kapetan
MF: Sean Mangan
MF: Omar Garcia
F: Ben Aguirre
F: Christian Guerrero

Aurora Central
GK: Luke Janosek
D: Nathan Diedrich
D: Omar Flores
D: Connor Dineen
D: Leroy Arias
MF: Alan Acosta
MF: Neil Mayer
MF: Matthew VanDeman
F: Christopher Incandela
F: Owen Nordenberg
F: Diego Leon

Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Matt VanDeman, jr., MF, Aurora Central


Scoring summary

First half
AC: Gutierrez (Leon), 15’
AC: Gutierrez (unassisted), 23’

Second half
AC: VanDeman (unassisted), 59’
AC: VanDeman (Acosta), 75’