By McKenzie Rump
Perhaps a goalkeeper’s greatest dream is scoring the game winning goal in a knockout competition. For Chicago House AC reserve goalkeeper Gabe Zorilla, the opportunity earlier this month was no dream. The fantasy of every goalkeeper to be the goal-scoring hero was very real. Gabe’s dream came true in the 2nd round of 2027 US Open Cup Qualifying for House. “I think the dream for every goalkeeper is to score the winner in the knockout game, and to do it with people that I care about, with the team that supports me, who I can support, is really really fun and awesome,” said Zorilla.
Chicago House’s recent match on October 3rd away at Ethos Academy’s Lions For Hope Sports Complex kicked off with high expectations for Chicago House, and Gabe’s only expectation was to support his teammates from the bench while starting goalkeeper Ryan Grady manned the nets.
Several attacks by House were thwarted early by Ethos until John Hunwick finally broke through in the 18th minute and delivered the first goal of the game to stake House to a 1-0 lead. Later in the 1st half Ethos Academy leveled the score with Gavin Johnson chipping Grady to make it 1-1 at halftime.
The short House bench became shorter in the second half when they received a red card, limiting the options for Head Coach Shannon Seymour. In a do or die situation, Coach Seymour knew he had to take a calculated risk in added time to try to snag victory before going into the crap shoot of a penalty kick shootout looming just minutes away.
With the extra time session dwindling, Seymour rolled the dice by subbing in the backup goalkeeper to play out of position as a striker. The gamble paid off. Gabe received a cross from the left side and redirected the ball into the goal. It set off a wild celebration from his teammates and the visiting House fans, all thanks to Gabe’s miracle shorthanded game-winning goal. Coach Seymour’s instincts were rewarded. “I was in disbelief when he scored! But in that disbelief I was proud,” Seymour said. “We talk about committing to runs in the box all the time in training, and it shows that he listens and can take info and apply it.”
The clutch goal allowed the Chicago House men’s team to not only secure the victory 2 to 1, but also take a massive step forward into the 3rd round of 2027 Open Cup Qualifying.
Seymour reflected on the win and the decision to sub in Gabe. “That’s the magic of the cup though. You never know what can happen and when things can happen. All you know is when your number is called you have to be ready. You might play out of position, might be asked to sub in and defend your butt off, or sub on and find a way to score. Well, that’s what Gabe had to do. He did it! We won! And onto the next round.”
Join Gabe, Shannon, and the rest of Chicago House AC’s men’s team this Sunday, November 1st at 7 pm at College of DuPage’s Bjarne Ullsvik Stadium in Glen Ellyn, when House will be away at Chicago Nation competing to advance to the 4th and final round of 2027 US Open Cup Qualifying.
