Solorio tries to continue
winning trend vs. Von Steuben

By Bill Stone

Solorio returned to a winning formula Sept. 21. 

Now the Sun Warriors will trying to maintain it.

Their 3-1 victory over Curie in the Chicago Public League’s Premier Division finally ended a four-game losing streak. Solorio (4-5-1, 3-2-0) had hoped to start a win streak against Mather on Monday, but the referees didn't show; the game will be rescheduled. Next, the Sun Warriors play host to Von Steuben (8-3-2, 4-2-0) at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday.

The last loss of the streak was perhaps the toughest – 4-3 to Premier rival Kelly at home. Solorio lost on two goals in the final 11:03 after rallying from an early 2-0 deficit.

It’s the only game this season Solorio has lost when scoring multiple goals.

“It was four mistakes on our part and no forgiving,” Solorio coach Adrian Calleros said. “We had three goals, combinations. We dominated possessions.”

Among their five common Premier League opponents, Solorio and Von Steuben are 3-2 -- both beating Washington, Hubbard and Curie and losing to Kelly and Lane. Like Solorio, Von Steuben was shut out by Lane. The Panthers lost to Kelly 3-0 Sept. 21.

Von Steuben coach Vedad Sarancic has a young team with just five returnees and nine seniors on the roster. 

Junior Martin Hernandez has eight of the Panthers’ 26 goals and three assists. Junior Cesar Mejia has three goals and two assists and five players have scored twice.

Five sophomores started against Kelly. The majority of experience lies on defense with senior captain Anthony Barraza and sophomore Sebastian Tovar on the interior, seniors Edin Dracic and Mariano Acosta on the outside and sophomore Carlos Martinez in goal. Monday’s 2-0 shutout of Washington was the Panthers’ first this season.

Solorio junior forward Jose Solis had the last two goals against Kelly. The first for the Sun Warriors was an open-field blast by sophomore midfielder David Mendoza. For the middle third of the game, Solorio dominated midfield play with Mendoza, junior Julian Arroyo and senior forward Adrian Zaragoza, a 2015 all-sectional player. 

The Curie victory extended the team’s record to 4-0-1 in games where the Sun Warriors have allowed just one goal, beginning with the first four games of the season. They have no shutouts.

The backline has been a combination of veterans in new positions or varsity newcomers. Stopper Angel Nava moved from winger in 2015 with sweeper Omar Salgado switched from the outside. Goalie Jose Salgado and outside defenders Luis Nambo and Angel Campos are getting their first significant varsity action this season. 

“That’s what I’ve always told our forwards. Since we have a new backline, it’s going to be hard for us, so they have to have our back,” Nava said.