Juggled lineup battles,
but Plainfield North falls to Carmel
Down 6 players, Tigers can't overcome hosts in 1-0 tourney loss
By Rusty Silber
MUNDELEIN -- Plainfield North had to take a 90-minute bus ride to meet quarterfinal opponent Carmel in the PepsiCo Showdown on Tuesday. The long commute was the least of the Tigers problems. Due to numerous injuries and illnesses, Plainfield North was down six players.
Still, the Tigers put up a good effort against a Carmel program that finished third in the IHSA Class 2A State tournament last year.
Unfortunately it was not enough as he seventh-seeded Tigers fell 1-0 loss to their second-seeded hosts in the Gatorade bracket of the tournament.
"Coming in, we watched them and knew (Carmel) would be a tough team to play," said Plainfield North coach Steve Berry, whose team dropped to 4-3-2. "Preparing for this we knew that six guys were out. We had to move around some players. We kind of pieced this together. We figured some things out, and it was good for us."
Carmel (5-3-1) created a different look for Plainfield North.
"We learned different styles. and different teams play different ways," Berry said. "Our guys gave it all they got. We recruited our backline a little bit knowing that it would give us a chance to score. Overall, I was happy with the effort. Hopefully, we can get healthy and see who we play next."
The Tigers fought valiantly with their cobbled lineup and forced Carmel keeper Kyle Knauer to make 5 saves.
"We knew that (Carmel) would have more of the chances," Berry said. "It dictated our line-up, where we would give up those chances. We had to move one of mids into a center-back role.
"But we had other players step up and give us good minutes. I think that we will benefit from that in the long run. But you have to be able to score, and we had some chances."
Tigers' senior Jake Farley was the one of the relocated players. His move to the back diplayed his leadership ability as Plainfield North held off the Corsairs' offense, which included Austin Ehren. Ryley Burich, Patrick Elster, Oliver Fisher, Nick Thompson and Brandon Scherry contributed to a solid defensive effort.
"It was really hard, and he (Ehren) was a fast guy. I'm not used to a pace like that," Farley said. "I know that a number of our starters were injured. I had to fill in the spot and do the best I could. I thought, the defense did a better job then I thought we might do.
"Once (Ehren) got down the line and crossed it in, we're not that great seeing that guy coming in behind us. That's how (Carmel) got the goal.
"This was easily our toughest game. We've played some tough teams, since our schedule is pretty hard. (Carmel) did a good job keeping the ball and trying to find the through-ball."
Ehren set up the game-winning goal for the Corsairs in the second half. He had numerous chances throughout the game, including a couple of breakaways, but was stopped by the Tigers' keeper Cade Fink (10 saves).
Ehren was named Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match for his outstanding effort.
"I just try to find the open man," Ehren said. "I just take the endline and try to cross it. I do try to get it over the goalline, and if I see the space I will take it. My game is all about the speed.
"I was just happy to see Rob Rao go for it at the back post, and I was happy someone was there. I saw Reed (Wilson) and was aiming for him, but the ball went over his head and Rob happened to be there."
The Corsairs' game-winner was scored in the 49th minute. Rao made the run and the volley-kick near the back post for his seventh goal of the season.
Plainfield North had its chances.
In the first half near the 15-minute mark, Brian Bertoni had a header that missed just wide of the post. Then late in the second half, Jackson Ranck had an open shot from up top that went at the Corsairs' keeper Knauer.
"I thought Plainfield North was real strong in the midfield," Carmel Catholic coach Ray Krawzak said. "I really didn't think that they had that many chances.
"It was a good opponent at this time of the season. We're glad to get the win. I thought (Plainfield North) was good, but I thought we were a bit more prepared."
Starting lineups
Plainfield North
GK-Cade Fink
D-Jake Farley
D-Brandon Scherry
D-Ryley Burich
D-Nick Thompson
MF-Patrick Elster
MF-Brian Bertoni
MF-Ryan Cartwright
MF-Josh Briick
MF-Ian Aslam
F-Adam Juarez
Carmel
GK-Kyle Knauer
D-Nathan Passarelli
D-Chris Gallo
D-Travis Curley
D-Brett Cloe
MF-Devin Cole
MF-Luke Johnson
MF-John Grzesiak
MF-Robert Rao
F-Reed Wilson
F-Austin Ehren
Man of the Match: Austin Ehren, F, Carmel
but Plainfield North falls to Carmel
Down 6 players, Tigers can't overcome hosts in 1-0 tourney loss
By Rusty Silber
MUNDELEIN -- Plainfield North had to take a 90-minute bus ride to meet quarterfinal opponent Carmel in the PepsiCo Showdown on Tuesday. The long commute was the least of the Tigers problems. Due to numerous injuries and illnesses, Plainfield North was down six players.
Still, the Tigers put up a good effort against a Carmel program that finished third in the IHSA Class 2A State tournament last year.
Unfortunately it was not enough as he seventh-seeded Tigers fell 1-0 loss to their second-seeded hosts in the Gatorade bracket of the tournament.
"Coming in, we watched them and knew (Carmel) would be a tough team to play," said Plainfield North coach Steve Berry, whose team dropped to 4-3-2. "Preparing for this we knew that six guys were out. We had to move around some players. We kind of pieced this together. We figured some things out, and it was good for us."
Carmel (5-3-1) created a different look for Plainfield North.
"We learned different styles. and different teams play different ways," Berry said. "Our guys gave it all they got. We recruited our backline a little bit knowing that it would give us a chance to score. Overall, I was happy with the effort. Hopefully, we can get healthy and see who we play next."
The Tigers fought valiantly with their cobbled lineup and forced Carmel keeper Kyle Knauer to make 5 saves.
"We knew that (Carmel) would have more of the chances," Berry said. "It dictated our line-up, where we would give up those chances. We had to move one of mids into a center-back role.
"But we had other players step up and give us good minutes. I think that we will benefit from that in the long run. But you have to be able to score, and we had some chances."
Tigers' senior Jake Farley was the one of the relocated players. His move to the back diplayed his leadership ability as Plainfield North held off the Corsairs' offense, which included Austin Ehren. Ryley Burich, Patrick Elster, Oliver Fisher, Nick Thompson and Brandon Scherry contributed to a solid defensive effort.
"It was really hard, and he (Ehren) was a fast guy. I'm not used to a pace like that," Farley said. "I know that a number of our starters were injured. I had to fill in the spot and do the best I could. I thought, the defense did a better job then I thought we might do.
"Once (Ehren) got down the line and crossed it in, we're not that great seeing that guy coming in behind us. That's how (Carmel) got the goal.
"This was easily our toughest game. We've played some tough teams, since our schedule is pretty hard. (Carmel) did a good job keeping the ball and trying to find the through-ball."
Ehren set up the game-winning goal for the Corsairs in the second half. He had numerous chances throughout the game, including a couple of breakaways, but was stopped by the Tigers' keeper Cade Fink (10 saves).
Ehren was named Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match for his outstanding effort.
"I just try to find the open man," Ehren said. "I just take the endline and try to cross it. I do try to get it over the goalline, and if I see the space I will take it. My game is all about the speed.
"I was just happy to see Rob Rao go for it at the back post, and I was happy someone was there. I saw Reed (Wilson) and was aiming for him, but the ball went over his head and Rob happened to be there."
The Corsairs' game-winner was scored in the 49th minute. Rao made the run and the volley-kick near the back post for his seventh goal of the season.
Plainfield North had its chances.
In the first half near the 15-minute mark, Brian Bertoni had a header that missed just wide of the post. Then late in the second half, Jackson Ranck had an open shot from up top that went at the Corsairs' keeper Knauer.
"I thought Plainfield North was real strong in the midfield," Carmel Catholic coach Ray Krawzak said. "I really didn't think that they had that many chances.
"It was a good opponent at this time of the season. We're glad to get the win. I thought (Plainfield North) was good, but I thought we were a bit more prepared."
Starting lineups
Plainfield North
GK-Cade Fink
D-Jake Farley
D-Brandon Scherry
D-Ryley Burich
D-Nick Thompson
MF-Patrick Elster
MF-Brian Bertoni
MF-Ryan Cartwright
MF-Josh Briick
MF-Ian Aslam
F-Adam Juarez
Carmel
GK-Kyle Knauer
D-Nathan Passarelli
D-Chris Gallo
D-Travis Curley
D-Brett Cloe
MF-Devin Cole
MF-Luke Johnson
MF-John Grzesiak
MF-Robert Rao
F-Reed Wilson
F-Austin Ehren
Man of the Match: Austin Ehren, F, Carmel