The Kits took on Lake Forest Academy on Tuesday night at home in the first game of the Evanston Tournament. When the Kits fell 1-0 early in the game as Bogi Milosevic of LFA won a foot race before putting the ball in the back of the net, there was no panic from the home team.
“I knew when we went down 1-0 that this was our game and we weren’t going to let them defeat us,” said senior Johnny Hunwick.
Shortly after LFA’s goal, Hunwick opened up the scoring for the Kits to tie the game at 1-1. The Kits went on to storm back and score five more consecutive goals en route to the team’s first win on their home turf. With the win, ETHS improved to 2-0-1.
Late in the first half, senior Iyanuo Jolaoluwa booted a rocket across the goal, leaving senior Cristiano Hamer with an easy tap-in goal. A short minute later, senior attacker Joseph Sargent drilled the ball to the back post of the goal, extending the Kits lead.
With 3 minutes left in the first half, senior Finn Lennon served a beautiful cross to senior John O’carroll who had a crisp finish on his first game back from injury. The Kits went into the half leading LFA 4-1.
“We still missed quite a few [shots] early on, but it was nice that we’re getting and creating those chances and becoming more accurate as the season goes,” said head coach Franz Calixte.
Beginning the second half, Calixte sat 8 of the 11 starters from the first half. Evanston still continued to dominate despite going to their bench. Senior Kervenson Alfred and junior Nico Dugo both scored their first career varsity goals in the half. When the final whistle was blown, the Kits had won the game 6-1.
Calixte was proud of the team’s comradery early in the season after a frustrating match in the previous home game.
“These guys celebrated their teammate’s goals like it was their own and it’s special to see that kind of teamwork and sportsmanship,” said Calixte.
The Kits have a quick turnaround before their next match- they will be looking for their second win of the Evanston Tournament on Thursday night at home versus Jones.
