Halftime speech fires up Streaks

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By ALEX KANTECKI

akantecki@nwherald.com

MARENGO – Coming off the field with a two-goal lead at halftime, the Woodstock boys soccer team challenged itself to come out with more fire and intensity in Wednesday’s IHSA Class 2A Marengo Regional semifinal against Richmond-Burton.

“We started off slower than we wanted, so we all came together and had a real intense halftime speech,” Woodstock forward Christian Harvey said after the Blue Streaks defeated Richmond-Burton, 7-0. “It was definitely one of those speeches that had an affect on our play.

“The second half was much closer to how we know we can play.”

Harvey scored two goals in the second half for Woodstock (9-13), including the first goal of the half with 10 minutes off the clock. As the Blue Streaks’ defense cleared the ball upfield, Harvey gained control near midfield and dribbled the ball past multiple R-B defenders before scoring on a shot to the far post.

Harvey added another goal three minutes later, a period in which the Blue Streaks scored four goals in a five-minute span.

“Our play today was similar to the season,” Harvey said. “We started out slow, a little wild on our passes, but then we got it together.

“Hopefully this game will give us a little momentum going forward.”

Also scoring for the Blue Streaks were Jonathan Talavera, Diego Alanis, Sergio Tapia, Luis Arellano and Silmar Martinez. Salvador Navarro and Arellano each contributed two assists and Harvey added one.

Richmond-Burton’s offense was stymied by the Blue Streaks’ defense throughout the game, limiting the Rockets (5-12) to three shots on goal, all in the first half.

“Our expectations were to play a complete game,” Woodstock coach Angel Garcia said. “We ended up taking the game over in the second half with team defense, consistent passing and good finishing.”

Next for the Blue Streaks is Marian Central (18-5-1).

The teams will play at 11 a.m. Saturday to determine the Marengo Regional championship.

“It’s going to be a tough, hard-fought game, no doubt,” Garcia said. “They are solid up and down the field, and we’ll have our work cut out for us.”

“They’ve got something to prove, but we’ll be prepared coming off of short rest.”