Bradley-Bourbonnais Boys Soccer Triumphs 4-1 Over Manteno

BREAKING NEWS: The Bradley-Bourbonnais boys soccer team secured a thrilling 4-1 victory over Manteno on Tuesday, marking a significant moment in their season. After establishing a strong 2-0 lead in the first half, the Boilermakers faced a surge from the Panthers, but late-game goals from John Sadulla ensured their win at home.

The match kicked off at 7:00 PM at Bradley-Bourbonnais, where the home team quickly took control. Brayden Watters opened the scoring just seven minutes into the game, followed by Guadalupe Valadez‘s sixth goal of the season five minutes later. However, the atmosphere shifted when Gio Arrigo found the back of the net for Manteno just eight minutes into the second half, narrowing the score to 2-1.

Despite the pressure, Sadulla delivered two crucial goals within the final three minutes, sealing the game at 4-1. “The whole mindset was really positive,” Sadulla said post-match. “I just went out there and made every run with all my energy.” This victory improves the Boilermakers’ record to 9-4, clinching their winningest season since 2019 before even commencing Southwest Suburban Conference play.

Head coach Andy Stembridge celebrated his birthday with this pivotal win and praised the senior leadership on the team. “We live and die with a lot of those seniors. They’re taking it and running with it,” Stembridge stated. “John just showed great leadership. He’s very clinical in front of the net.” This match was the first meeting between the two teams since 2017, when Bradley-Bourbonnais also triumphed.

After securing their second consecutive All-City title with wins against Bishop McNamara and Kankakee, the Boilermakers completed a sweep of all local rivals, underscoring their dominance in the area. “To be honest, we feel like we have to win and assert local dominance,” Watters remarked about the local rivalry.

On the other side, Manteno’s coach Oscar Farfan acknowledged his team’s effort. “Once we got that goal to cut it to 2-1, you could tell their energy just changed,” Farfan said. “I thought we played well.” Although disappointed with the outcome, he remains optimistic as they prepare for the Rivals Cup tournament, starting next Tuesday.

As both teams gear up for their upcoming matches, the Boilermakers will look to build on their momentum in the conference, while Manteno aims to capture the elusive Rivals Cup trophy. This thrilling game not only showcased the skill of both teams but also highlighted the intensity of local rivalries that make high school soccer so compelling.