Davis sparks flurry for surging Stars

Updated: August 25, 2011 10:08PM

Tyler Davis made an auspicious return.

“We’re glad to have him back,” St. Charles North coach Eric Willson said.

The North Stars junior midfielder scored two unassisted goals in a two-minute flurry, and visiting St. Charles North held off a late East Aurora charge for the 3-2 victory in an Upstate Eight crossover Thursday night in Aurora.

Davis spent his sophomore year playing with an area club team. “He’s a difference maker,” Willson said.

The North Stars (2-0) scored all of their goals in a pivotal four-minute stretch at the start of the second half that decisively broke the scoreless halftime tie. St. Charles North’s senior keeper Garrett Creasor made a spectacular save of a shot by Salvador Ibarra in the closing minute of the first half to preserve the tie.

The play appeared to spark the North Stars, who opened the second half focused and determined. Sophomore midfielder Matt Picinich controlled a through ball by sophomore midfielder Alex Behm to drill a shot inside the right post with 32:32 to play.

“That first goal seemed to rattle us at that point,” East Aurora coach Jason Rollins said.

Two minutes later, Davis gathered a loose ball about 12 yards out and smashed a shot into the right corner. “The play just started with the bounce,” he said. “The ball just came out straight out and right at me and I was able just to run up and make the play.”

Sensing the dagger, Davis did not let up. Moments later, senior midfielder Mike Winhoffer lofted a perfect pass as Davis rose for a header. His initial shot hit off the post but ricocheted directly back to him. Without missing a beat, Davis leapt up and hit an immediate rebound header for the stunning 3-0 advantage.

“I don’t think I’ve ever had a play like that before,” Davis said. “The play was the cross by Mike. The whole play was in the pass.”

The Tomcats (1-1) refused to yield. They recovered a late comeback, started on a fantastic goal by junior midfielder David Reynoso. In one remarkable motion, receiving a pass for defender Juan Luis Perez he drilled a shot from 25-yards out that skipped past Creasor with just over 20 minutes to play.

“I didn’t really think about it,” Reynoso said. “I just knew we needed something and I just tried to make the shot. They had some nice set pieces and we were vulnerable and they were to take advantage.”

Senior midfielder Angel Barajas smashed a left-foot blast in the closing seconds for the final margin. St. Charles North controlled the ball in the final seconds for the victory.

“I thought both teams played very well,” Rollins said. “You can’t afford to play badly for five or 10 minutes the way we did against a good team like St. Charles North.”

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