Moreno’s path started with a trip to the doctor
The journey of junior midfielder Irving Moreno toward stardom at Mount Carmel began with a doctor’s advice for an energetic kid.
“I was 5 years old and my mom found out that I had ADHD,” Moreno said. “She asked what she should do, and the doctor told her to put me in a sport. She chose soccer for me, and the rest is history.”
Moreno, a three-year varsity player, has emerged as a leader in the middle of the field this season for the Caravan (12-4-1). He has scored 10 goals, excelling at setting up his teammates and being a strong two-way player.
It doesn’t matter where Moreno plays either, according to senior defender Patrick Sullivan.
“He’s a great player who makes plays wherever you put him — on the wing, in the middle, up top,” Sullivan said. “He talks so much that he just about thinks for other players.
“He does whatever you need him to do — attacking, defending, whatever. He brings it 100% in practice every day and it shows.”
Mount Carmel won the Catholic League Blue title in a race that came down to the top two teams meeting in the final game.
The Caravan made the trek to Aurora on Oct. 12 and edged Marmion 3-2 to seal the championship with a 4-1-1 league record.
“It means a lot,” Moreno said.
“It means our commitment, hard work and dedication, and most importantly teamwork, are paying off. Our seniors are in their last few months at our school and we’re trying to make it the best for them.
“We’re a brotherhood and this championship is huge for us.”
Moreno began his varsity career as a freshman on a talented 2019 team, putting him in a challenging spot.
“It took a lot of courage and a lot of hard work,” he said. “Our seniors were really strict on us, and being one of the youngest guys, I knew I had to do really good in practices and games to prove myself and show the coaches I should get some minutes in games.
“That year has helped me a lot. It’s given me maturity. Our captains at that time taught how us how to be mature and responsible and listen to the coaches.”
Mount Carmel will now turn its attention the postseason. The Caravan are the fifth seed in the Class 3A Morton Sectional and open Wednesday against 12th-seeded Hubbard.
Mount Carmel was supposed to be in 2A, but petitioned to play up in 3A.
“We want to work for it,” Sullivan said. “Take on the best and beat the best and be the ultimate champions in the end.”
Moreno hopes to lead the way, and he’s thankful soccer was the sport his mom picked for him all those years ago.
“Soccer has helped a lot,” he said. “It’s stuck to me. It has given me my outlet.”
South Suburban supremacy: Lemont (8-6-5, 6-1-4) clinched its first South Suburban Blue championship since 2015 with a 9-1 rout of Evergreen Park on Oct. 12.
“Our conference is tough to win,” Lemont coach Rick Prangen said. “Six years is a long time, so this was a big thing for us. It’s great for the seniors, and for the returning players, it’s something to live up to.”
On the same day, Argo (10-4-4, 8-1-2) wrapped up its second South Suburban Red title in three seasons with a 5-0 win over Oak Lawn.
Regional champs: Joliet Catholic and Beecher both won 1A regional titles Saturday and will meet in Wednesday’s Manteno Sectional semifinals.
JCA (9-12), which beat Chicago Christian 4-1 for its third straight regional title, went 0-9 in East Suburban Catholic Conference play but was ready for the postseason.
“We knew the schedule we played would prepare us and we wanted to be ready to play our best soccer in the playoffs,” JCA coach Tom Cranmer said.
Beecher (19-6) advanced with a 3-0 win over Reed-Custer.