After playing last fall with FC United in the MLS Next league, sophomore forward Antonio Ferreira came into his first season with Marian Catholic ready to make a difference.
With 17 goals and 12 assists this season, he’s doing that and even more.
“Playing in MLS Next, the level of play was really high and really intense,” Ferreira said. “Coming here, I just brought that intensity.
“I already knew some of the guys on the team, and they were a big factor in me playing high school. I’m just happy to help the team out and bring them to where they should be.”
Ferreira brought out the scoring fireworks Wednesday night, recording a hat trick as a wild East Suburban Catholic Conference game between the Spartans and host Marist ended in a 5-5 tie.
Christian Avila added two goals for Marian Catholic (8-8-1, 1-4-2).
Senior midfielder Danny Olsen poured in four goals for Marist (1-11-3, 1-2-2), while Cayden Hanlon also scored.
Ferreira tallied all of his goals in the second half, leading the Spartans back from a 3-1 halftime deficit.
He came up with two goals in a 48-second span to tie the game, going top shelf on a 30-yard shot and then weaving his way through several defenders to strike on a 15-yard shot.
“When it comes to playoff games and big games, you need that special player to take over,” Marian Catholic coach Diego Herrera said. “Antonio brings that specialness that we were missing.
“We’re solid all-around, but he’s special. He showed up (Wednesday) when we needed him the most.”
Ferreira was excited to play for the Spartans after missing out last season.
“It’s something I looked forward to even before high school,” he said. “I gave it a shot and I’ve really enjoyed it. I like the atmosphere. In club soccer, you don’t have that same atmosphere with the guys and everything.”
Olsen, meanwhile, had the game of his life for the RedHawks.
He completed his first career hat trick before the first half was over, blasting home a penalty kick in the 26th minute to give Marist a 3-1 lead.
Olsen added a fourth goal in the second half.
“It’s kind of been a dry season for me,” Olsen said. “I haven’t scored that often. I had four goals for the season before this, so to equal that in one game kind of shocked me. I don’t believe it.”
Olsen was quick to pass praise to his teammates. Christian Chavez assisted on one of Olsen’s goals and drew the foul that led to the PK.
“I don’t take any credit for this,” Olsen said. “It’s all my teammates.”
Marist coach Sean Maxwell, though, hopes Olsen recognizes how well he played.
“Danny is a tremendous player,” Maxwell said. “I’ve been waiting for that breakout game. Hopefully, this turns his head into believing in himself.
“Not that I’ve seen his head go down, but I don’t know if he knows how good he really is.”
After Olsen gave Marist a 4-3 lead with 22:26 to go, Avila tied it for the Spartans just 11 seconds later.
Ferreira put Marian in front for the first time, heading in Jalen Williams’ free kick to make it 5-4 with 18:45 left.
Hanlon capped the scoring with 8:40 to go in regulation, and the game ended in a tie after 10 scoreless minutes of overtime.
“We were down 3-1 in the first half and we just weren’t playing our game,” Ferreira said. “In the second half, we came with everything we had and it paid off.
“Unfortunately, they tied it up, but we gave it everything we had.”
Steve Millar is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
