Crete-Monee soars on record-breaking night

CRETE | Crete-Monee's Carlos Posada sometimes felt like there was more than one monkey on his back.

His latest performance dramatically lightened his burden.

"I won't have to have the monkeys on my back," Posada joked after Tuesday's match against Rich Central. "It feels really good."

Posada became Illinois' all-time soccer scoring leader when he turned in a six-goal night to help lead the Warriors to a 10-0 win over Southland Athletic Conference foe Rich Central. Posada's second goal of the night tied the Illinois record of 159 goals.

Posada's record-breaking third goal was a free kick just outside and to the right of the box.

"Once I got fouled, I knew it was going to be a free kick," Posada said of the goal. "It's a lefty shot, sort of. I felt that I was going to make it before I took it. I pictured myself doing it, and it went in the back corner where I wanted it."

Billy Savarino, of Brother Rice, set the previous state record in 1993.

Posada's six goals, raising the state record to 163, led the Warriors (15-2-2, 9-1) to an easy win over the Olympians, and coach Julian Lagunas hopes his team can be ready for the playoffs a week from now.

"I think (the record) has been weighing on him," Lagunas said. "After that, it seemed like he was playing more aggressive. He was loose and relaxed. We're just happy he got it over with at home in front of this crowd — and we got the victory more importantly.

"We just want to continue the momentum. We have some strong seniors in the lineup, and they know and understand that this may come to an end."

Tyler Skafgaard notched two goals for the Warriors, and Matt Sadowski scored a goal with a little less than four minutes left in the first half to put Crete-Monee up 8-0.

Posada added his sixth goal of the match with a little less than a minute left in the half, and a goal by Luke Johnson in the shortened second half rounded out the scoring for the Warriors.

Posada now is focused squarely on the future and the chance for the Warriors to make a state tournament run.

"Now I just want to do good in the playoffs," Posada said, "and hopefully get as far as possible. Hopefully we can win at Marian (Catholic), and our sectional is going to be really tough if we can make it."