Danny Roche played football and soccer for nearly a decade, but with the sports’ high school seasons both occurring in the fall, he chose to play football his first two years at Oak Forest.
Heading into his junior year this fall, he decided it was time for a change.
“I was just getting sick of football,” he said. “I like soccer better. I felt like I could make a difference (on the soccer team).”
Roche has made an immediate impact. His second-half goal Monday night lifted the host Bengals to a 1-1 tie against Marian Catholic.
“He’s been a great addition to our team,” Oak Forest coach Kieran Byrne said. “He gives us a lot of toughness up front and you saw (Monday) how he can finish.”
The Bengals (2-0-1) trailed Marian 1-0 at halftime, but made a huge surge at the start of the second half that led to Roche’s goal.
Pablo Flores took a free kick from 30 yards out along the right sideline and sent it into the box, where Roche one-timed the pass into the top right corner of the net.
“I usually move up for all the free kicks,” Roche said. “I saw an open spot and saw my chance and just took it.”
For Oak Forest, earning a tie against Marian (1-3-1), a defending sectional champion, was a big sign of progress. The Spartans beat the Bengals 5-1 in a regional semifinal last year.
“All the guys that were on the team last year wanted revenge,” Roche said.
Marian took the lead in the 24th minute when Thomas Brannigan collected the ball in the middle of the field and found Brendan Marz on the left side of the box. Marz cut inside and scored.
“They put me on the outside so I can get those chances and I was just waiting for one,” Marz said. “I got a great feed and I just had to take advantage.”
Marz, who was one of the top passers on the team last season, will be looked upon to score more after the graduation of 2014 Daily Southtown Player of the Year Alec Guarino.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to do what he did, especially without me back there passing,” Marz said. “We’ve got guys to step up, though. We just have to adjust to new roles. Even though our record isn’t where we want it to be, I’m still encouraged.”
Marz had a chance to put Marian back on top on a penalty kick with 25:38 to go, but Oak Forest goalie Nick Dalberti lunged to his left and made a big stop.
Dalberti’s counterpart, Jacob Fodness, had three saves for Marian.
“I think our intensity dropped in the second half,” Marian coach Nasser Shahtaji said. “When you’re having to defend all the time, you put yourself in a bad position and that’s what we did in the second half. It’s a learning process. We just have to figure out who can do what and who can play where.”
Beecher 2, Grant Park 1: Gabe Fonseca’s two goals spurred Beecher (4-1, 1-0 River Valley).
Crete-Monee 3, Kankakee 0: Brendan Sanders notched a hat trick and Victor Romo had two assists for Crete-Monee (4-1, 1-0 Southland).
Girls Volleyball
Richards 25-25, Queen of Peace 22-20: Lisa Costa dished out 23 assists and Sarah Murczek (14 digs) posted 10 kills to boost Richards (7-0). Bridget Hannon and Amanda Baran each contributed five kills for Queen of Peace (2-5).
Christian Liberty 25-25, Morgan Park Academy 12-22: Ireland Lawrence provided four kills for Morgan Park Academy (0-5).
Boys Golf
Illiana Christian 150, Oak Lawn 183: Medalist James Zandstra (36) led Illiana Christian (3-1) at Stony Creek. John Hayes tacked on a 37 for the Vikings. Justin Swatek and Chris Dunne (45 each) were the top individuals for Oak Lawn (5-3).
Bloom triangular: Medalist Levi Hanegraaf shot a 38 in guiding Marian Catholic (165) past Crete-Monee (187) and Bloom (197) at Longwood.
Bishop McNamara Irish Invitational: St. Rita’s Kevin Healy (80) topped the competition at Kankakee Elks in St. Anne. Brother Rice (347) won the team title ahead of runner-up St. Rita (362) and third-place Mount Carmel (363).
Girls Golf
Sandburg 151, Lincoln-Way East 176: Medalist Erin Cronin (37) led Sandburg in the SouthWest Suburban crossover. Taylor Miron, of Lincoln-Way East, finished one shot back at Green Garden.
Lincoln-Way North 180, Joliet Township 243: Lincoln-Way North’s Anne Allen (43) led all golfers in the SouthWest Suburban crossover at Ravisloe.
Lemont 199, St. Francis 253: Lemont’s Maggie Micetich carded a 48 to capture medalist honors at Cantigny in Wheaton.
Girls Tennis
Eisenhower 5, Chicago Christian 0: Jackie Sanchez and Valeria Salgado prevailed at No. 1 doubles for Eisenhower (2-1). Angelica Hernandez added a win at top-seeded singles for the Cardinals.
Joliet Catholic triangular: Anna Loureiro (No. 1) and Natalie Schultz (No. 2) each won twice in singles as Sandburg (2-0) defeated Joliet Catholic 6-1 and Lincoln-Way East 6-0.
Men’s Golf
Skyway Conference Meet: Matt Contey (75) tied for second in leading Moraine Valley (315) to a runner-up finish at Blackberry Oaks in Bristol.
Steve Millar is a freelance writer for the Daily Southtown. Freelance writer Josh Krockey contributed to this story.
