By Bobby Narang –
Oswego High School head soccer coach, Gaspar Arias, jumped into action.
When a few of his players called out his name to participate in Sunday’s postgame celebration, Arias didn’t shy away from joining the sweet party of success.
Omar Carreno scored three goals and Steven Udy added two goals to give fuel to Oswego’s 7-1 victory over Woodstock in the championship game of the PepsiCo Showdown U.S. Army Bracket at Robert Morris University in Arlington Heights.
His shoulder-length hair soaked with Pepsi, following the team’s spraying of two-liter bottles in the parking lot, Arias relished adding another milestone for the Oswego program.
“This is amazing,” Arias said. “These kids are going to be really excited for the upcoming games. This championship is something we’ve been waiting for a long time. We’ve been working together for this. It’s really exciting winning this tournament. For me, it’s unbelievable. For us, just to get to the final is amazing, but to win it is another thing special for our program. These kids are now going to believe how good they are.”
The Panthers, 10-2-1, bounced back from a tough 4-3 overtime Southwest Prairie Conference victory over Plainfield North Saturday with two goals in the first two minutes against Woodstock.
Carreno was all over the field and dominated with his quick first step and fancy footwork. He said the Panthers are focused on winning a Class 3A State championship this Fall.
“This means a lot because we haven’t ever won this tournament,” Carreno said. “It’s really a good feeling. The best part was throwing Pepsi on everyone. I wanted to win it because we worked so hard as a team and want to progress and keep doing better. We have to keep our attitude positive and work together as a team.”
Arias said the Panthers have relied on solid teamwork and chemistry this season to become a factor in the 3A State-championship chase.
“It’s all about working together and we get along really well together,” he said. “The communication is great with them. Omar is amazing. He’s a great player, he can dribble through one and two players. Steven (Udy) was hurt, but he was trying to play today. He had 20 minutes on the field. When he played, he did great and we will need him.”
St. Edward won the U.S. Coast Guard Bracket championship, 1-0, over Lincoln-Way West.
Morton of Berwyn defeated Wheaton Academy, 5-2, to win the U.S. Army Bracket championship.
Francis Parker of Chicago defeated Homewood-Flossmoor, 2-0, in the championship game of the U.S. National Guard Bracket.