With all the ups and downs, Cyclones men’s soccer pleased with 2013 season

Taking penalty kicks in the qualifier rounds of NJCAA Region IV playoffs was not the ideal way to end 2013, but the Moraine Valley Community College men’s soccer team couldn’t be upset with the effort, a winning record and improved all-around play to cap their year.

Coming from a losing record in 2012, the Cyclones, especially returning players, wanted redemption. They certainly reached that goal with an overall 9-6-1 record and a second place finish in the Illinois Skyway Collegiate Conference thanks to a 4-3 conference record.

“Coming in second was good. This year my main goal was to erase the trauma of last season, get back to winning in the correct way and to play good soccer. Our focus was on playing a good passing game, moving around a lot. I recruited well and many returners were hungry because of last year’s disappointment. It all came together quite well,” said head coach Chuck Bales.

In their final game against McHenry County College, the Cyclones had yet to come out of a match goal-less. After two overtimes and a 0-0 score, Moraine Valley fell in penalty kicks, but worked hard every minute. Throughout the year they were never overmatched in any game except one with Morton College when they lost 5-1. With some tweaking, the Cyclones rebounded. Some of the losses were only by one goal, oftentimes just mistakes. Overall, the teams in Region IV were so evenly matched that no one could expect easy wins, but Moraine Valley had more than most.

“Overall it was a good season. We found our home base again in terms of how we should play. There were ups and downs, but the downs were in little pockets which are to be expected and almost desirable. You have to be careful with an undefeated team because you wonder when the shoe is going to drop. If we played these games again we could get a totally different outcome,” Bales said. “All the teams in Region IV are so equal, but we didn’t capitulate. After that last loss of the season, the guys were upset, but they can hold their heads up.”

Several players received honors this year including Lutth Tchitembo (international) and Jordy Padilla (Eisenhower), both named to the All-Region IV team. They also had nods to the All-Conference first team along with sophomore Greg Healy (Stagg) and team captain Joe Mastej (Highland). All-Conference second team accolades went to Steve Henry (Oak Lawn), Ranulfo Pantaleon (Eisenhower), Patryk Paprocki (Curie), and goalkeeper Chris Vidos (Brother Rice). Mastej and co-captain Jorge Martinez (Reavis) were key in helping the squad come together not only through their work ethic, but with positive attitudes. Bales chalks up some team success to that high team morale and bonding.

Next season if most of the freshmen return, the team will have a solid base to build from. Bales also wants the new Health, Fitness & Recreation Center—scheduled to open in the spring—to be a springboard to help raise the status of the Cyclones.