Even when Streamwood went through a five-game losing streak this season, the one constant was senior goalkeeper Alex J. Garcia.
Garcia has been a saving grace for the Sabres, who at one point were stuck with a 5-10 record.
“With injury after injury after injury up to this point, that’s how our season has been until the past 10 games,” Streamwood coach Matt Polovin said. “Alex, by far, has kept us in every game. He’s been unbelievable.
“And now in the playoffs, he’s almost like a man possessed. It’s so fun to watch.”
Garcia was at it again Monday night, making 10 saves as the host Sabres relied on their netminder for a 2-0 victory over Grayslake Central in the Class 2A Streamwood Supersectional.
Max Galvan and Andy Benitez scored goals for Streamwood (13-10), which clinched its second state appearance and will play De La Salle (24-3-1) at 3:30 p.m. Friday in the semifinals at Hoffman Estates.
Streamwood goalkeeper Alex J Garcia (1) kicks the ball against Grayslake Central in the Class 2A Streamwood Supersectional on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon-News)
Galvan scored the first goal at the 4:18 mark of the first half off a feed from Jovanni Garcia-Rubio. It was the Sabres’ first shot on goal. Benitez followed only 19 seconds into the second half after getting a pass from Josue Lopez for a 2-0 lead over Grayslake Central (15-6).
Although Streamwood lost 4-2 to the Rams in a tournament on Sept. 4, the Sabres were missing half their lineup. Chris Cardenas, a senior who has turned into the team’s best stopper on defense, was playing on the junior varsity at that time.
Still, the loss didn’t sit well with Garcia. He was determined to not have a repeat performance.
“This was kind of like a redemption game,” Garcia said. “I blame myself for the last game. I made two bad mistakes that led to goals. I was telling myself mentally it’s not going to happen again.
Streamwood’s Andy Benitez (11) tries to get past Grayslake Central’s Uriel Alonso (6) during the Class 2A Streamwood Supersectional on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon-News)
“I want to bring this team all the way and I want to win it.”
Garcia was peppered in the first half, making six saves before Streamwood got on the board.
“I knew I would be in high demand,” Garcia said. “We played them earlier this season. I watched the film and it gave me a heads up on guys to look out for.
“I basically just knew coming into this game that a lot would be demanded, even if it’s not saves.”
Streamwood’s Max Galvan (10) moves the ball against Grayslake Central during the Class 2A Streamwood Supersectional on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon-News)
To see a senior like Garcia get rewarded for all of his hard work never gets old for Polovin, either.
“A lot of kids never get a chance to go to state,” Polovin said. “I don’t want to say it’s deserved, but with the time and work he’s put in, to see him get that chance to play for one more weekend of his high school career, I’m beyond proud.”
The one-goal lead was tenuous, however. That all changed when Benitez shocked the Rams with the 39:41 remaining.
“I saw Josue got the ball,” Benitez said. “I ran into space and made eye contact with him and he passed me the ball. I knew I had to one-touch into space.
“If I one-touched it into space, I would be gone, which is what I did. I saw that the goalie was positioned weird, so I just blasted the ball and luckily it went it.”
Streamwood goalkeeper Alex J Garcia (1) and Max Galvan (10) battle to clear the goal against Grayslake Central in the Class 2A Streamwood Supersectional on Monday, Nov. 3, 2025. (James C. Svehla / The Beacon-News)
The goal changed the whole tenor of the game.
“At halftime, I said, ‘If we get one goal early in the half, maybe two, they’re going to be done,’” Polovin said. “I didn’t expect (19) seconds. You could just tell their heads went down.
“That’s deflating.”
And as usual, Garcia took it from there.
“He’s been helping us since the start of the playoffs,” Benitez said. “He’s an incredible keeper. Every game, he always comes and saves us. We’re just glad to have him on the team.”
It’s also nothing new. When the Sabres were down and out, Garcia remained positive.
“I was doing my best to tell them we’re still going all the way,” he said. “We’re still a good team.”
Paul Johnson is a freelance reporter for The Beacon-News.
