OPRF boys soccer bests Fenwick in crosstown rivalry

Sometimes, you’re in the right place at the right time. That’s usually the spot where the magic happens. 

In the waning moments of Saturday’s boys soccer crosstown rivalry game between OPRF and Fenwick at Concordia University, the Friars were increasing offensive pressure to try to equalize the Huskies’ slim 3-2 lead. 

OPRF kept clearing the ball with time-killing high punts, some out of bounds, but Fenwick had a last gasp with a right-side corner kick in the 79^th minute. 

As always, the ball landed in a crowd and it appeared the Huskies had once again cleared before Fenwick got off a point-blank shot – which was blocked in front of the net by OPRF senior midfielder Jack Trask that sealed his team’s 3-2 victory. 

“Honestly, I was never going to leave the line until the ball was fully cleared out,” Trask said. “I always do that. I was really fortunate to be still on the line there and get the clearance. 

“I didn’t realize I was in the net, so I didn’t realize the ball was going in until after the play. I turned around and realized, ‘Oh my gosh, I saved the game-tying goal there.’” 

Nearby, fellow senior midfielder Chris Denneen deadpanned that that play was more important than his own two goals, the second of which in the 61^st minute set the final score. 

“Unbelievable,” Denneen said of Trask’s block. “Couldn’t have won the game without it. I’d rather have that than the two goals. I think that shows our team not only just trying to spoil their goals, but we defend as a team.” 

But the victory was bittersweet for OPRF (7-8-1). In the 66^th minute, senior forward and captain Johnny Natale went down hard clutching his right ankle and in obvious pain. The game was paused for several minutes as he was helped to the bench. 

Nine minutes later, junior midfielder Steven Hurlburt hit the ground and needed treatment. Post-game, his arm was in a sling.  

The status of both players wasn’t known after the game. 

Fenwick senior forward Luke Menacho has been friends with Natale since pre-school, so that injury hit home.  

“Being on the field is a blessing every single time we play this team,” he said. “We grew up and went all through middle school, being able to play against him and all my friends on the other team, it’s a blessing.” 

Fenwick (5-8-1) had the advantage most of the first half, as junior defender Esteban Jimenez scored in the right corner of the net in the 10^th minute. After OPRF junior forward Gibson Lundgren tied the match three minutes later, the Friars regained the lead on sophomore midfielder Emiliano Pereda’s 25-yard shot off a steal in the 16^th minute. 

There were several hundred fans in attendance, befitting a crosstown rivalry game, exchanging simultaneous cheers of “Let’s go, Huskies!” and “Let’s go, Friars!” Dozens of students lined up along the fence line on both ends of the field. 

So the atmosphere was playoff-like. OPRF came close to equalizing in the 38^th minute on a shot over the upper left corner of the net by senior defender Rager Wilson which elicited a chorus of, “Ooooo!” 

But the Huskies equalized in the 58^th minute on a goal from Denneen, assisted by senior forward Joaquin Carlstrom-Arteaga. Three minutes later, Denneen scored again to give his team the lead for good. The eventual winner came on a precision cross pass from the right corner by senior captain Noah Barnett (2 assists) that Denneen buried in the center of the net. 

Fenwick assistant coach Dave Hartsfield, himself a Fenwick graduate, said the raw emotion Saturday, exacerbated by the fans, the play on the field, and, sadly, the injuries, was something to behold. 

“There is no bigger game for us and for them,” Hartsfield said. “It works out in our favor sometimes. When we play well and we show we can fight, it tends to lead to good things in the playoffs.” 

Hard to believe, but the IHSA playoffs are just around the corner. In Class 2A, the fourth-seeded Friars will face Chicago Noble/Rauner at Elmwood Park on Oct. 20. 

Conversely, the eighth-seeded Huskies will take on Chicago Jones at home in Class 3A on Oct. 21. 

But for OPRF interim head coach Dave Bernthal, who played for the Huskies in high school, the focus was definitely on Natale and Hurlburt.  

“It hurts badly to see these guys get hurt,” Bernthal said. “I told the guys how proud I am of them for their game play, but also their character and thanked them for getting the win for their buddies, to finish the job for them, knowing that those guys made a sacrifice for them and that they would do the same. 

“We care a lot about winning, but we care more about the guys.”