Second-Half Play Proves Giant Killer

It really had the makings of a special night for Highland Park's boys soccer team.

The squad was away in Deerfield, arguably its biggest rival. The night was cool and comfortable and ideal for soccer. The Giants enjoyed the lead---but not at the final whistle.

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Deerfield senior Jason Kayne scored twice in a 5-minute stanza as the hometown Warrors (8-2) beat a Giants team that looked better throughout.

"Yeah, I think we did deserve a little bit more from the match," said Giants coach Blake Novotny. "We were really good in the first half and we hit the post twice and then hit the post once more again in the second half."

Highland Park (6-3) couldn't have started any better.

Senior Andrew Chang, on the Giants' first attack 4 minutes into the game, unloaded a dipping drive from 25 yards out that left Warrior goalkeeper Josh Norris no chance at blocking the ball as it eventually hit the back of the net.

To Chang, it was just being confident. "I just saw the opportunity to shoot and took it," he said.

The Giants continued to threaten and junior Noah Bloch looked like he had added another goal when his swerving shot from 30 yards out fizzled just past the post.

At the 37-minute mark, the Giants looked like they had their second goal. This time, Ricardo Rodriguez latching onto a through-ball after a bomb of a goal kick from Justin Ozodore. It took a big hop at midfield and bounced over the heads of the entire Warriors defense.

Rodriguez sprinted toward the ball and got to it first. He calmly played it forward but his shot, which beat Norris, went crashing off the post and out of play.

It was as close as Highland Park would come to victory.

The Warriors came out in the second half with renewed energy and spirit, and within 11 minutes had completely changed the match.

A free kick just outside the Giants' box was flicked home from Kayne amongst a horde of Highland Park defenders.

Five minutes later, Kayne finished the Giants off.

Joey Calistri, Deerfield's do-it-all senior forward, floated a free kick toward the goal that was tipped high in the air by Ozodore. But, the goalkeeper didn't paw fully and it came down near an on-rushing Kayne, who blasted home the ball from half a yard out to send the Warriors crowd into a frenzy.

The Giants were shell-shocked and didn't manage another chance through the remainder of the match.

Highland Park returns to action Thursday when it takes on Niles North.