Ranked second in Chicagoland Soccer’s Top 25 poll, the Oak Park and River Forest High School boys soccer team is building upon last year, which featured the best winning percentage in program history and a trip to a IHSA Class 3A supersectional.
The Huskies continued their perfect start to this season Sept. 2 at Oak Park Stadium as senior Jadyn Hsieh-Bailey’s two goals lifted OPRF to a 2-1 Prevail Cup victory over visiting Fenwick High School.
“It was a grind. It always is,” said OPRF coach Jason Fried. “Fenwick is a really good team. It’s a big rivalry and was an emotional game tonight.”
“They were the underdogs, but every time we play Fenwick it’s a close game,” added Hsieh-Bailey. “It’s a rivalry, and the fans boost it up 200 percent.”
OPRF (5-0) started fast, getting a goal just three and a half minutes into the match when Hsieh-Bailey’s header off a corner kick from Bryce Richards beat Friars’ goalkeeper Finnegan Williams.
“We came out quick,” Fried said. “Our first ten minutes were really good. We had them on their heels.”
However, Fenwick (3-2) stayed composed and started controlling play as the first half progressed. The Friars had a golden opportunity to even things with about 90 seconds to go before halftime as Frank Felice had a wide-open net, but his shot sailed off to the left.
OPRF’s Isaac Cummings (6) dribbles the ball on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, during a varsity soccer game at Huskie Stadium. | ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer 
Fenwick’s Ian Martinello (10) scored early in the second half to cut OPRF’s lead to 2-1, but the Friars couldn’t capitalize on some other late chances and fell Sept. 2 in the Prevail Cup matchup. (Alex Rogals/Staff Photographer) 
Fenwick’s goalkeeper Jaxon Entler blocks the ball from going into the net on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, during a varsity soccer game at Huskie Stadium. | ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer 
OPRF’s Ezra Plotkin (23) looks to pass on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, during a varsity soccer game at Huskie Stadium. | ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer 
Fenwick’s Jake Brecknock (27) looks to pass on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, during a varsity soccer game at Huskie Stadium. | ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer 
Fenwick’s Ian Martinello (10) battles for the ball on Friday, Sept. 2, 2022, during a varsity soccer game at Huskie Stadium. | ALEX ROGALS/Staff Photographer
Fenwick continued to pick up its play and got rewarded as Ian Martinello drilled a shot past Huskies’ goalkeeper Christian Dussias four and a half minutes into the second half.
“It’s a sign of a good team when you can come back after giving up an early goal,” said Fenwick coach Craig Blazer. “We showed composure and had a super mature response.”
Almost a minute later, the Friars narrowly missed taking the lead as a shot by Lucas Garcia beat Dussias but went left of the net.
After that, OPRF began regain momentum. With 25:34 left in the match, Hsieh-Bailey notched his seventh goal off a nice assist by Ezra Plotkin.
“I just got in behind the defender, and I saw the ball swing outside towards Ezra,” he said. “Once it went over to him, I made my run to the back post, and I knew he was going to pass it to me there.”
“Jadyn is extremely talented. He plays with a lot of fire,” Fried said. “He’s got amazing technical skill and makes great runs into the box.”
Fenwick had a few opportunities to even things, but couldn’t cash in. Dussias stopped a blast from Martinello with about 11 minutes left, then did the same on a Felice shot three minutes later. Then with about six minutes left, a Martinello shot sailed high and wide to the left.
“Our guys played a really good OPRF team and responded well,” Blazer said. “It hurts score-wise, but we’ll be better for it. We’ll keep moving forward.”
After hosting defending IHSA Class 3A champion York in the West Suburban Conference Silver Division opener Sept. 6 (post-press time), OPRF will participate in the BodyArmor Showdown at Schaumburg’s Olympic Park on Sept. 10-11.
Fenwick will also participate in the BodyArmor Showdown after having home matches against Francis Parker on Sept. 6 and Providence Catholic on Sept. 8.
