Grabowski brothers propel
Crystal Lake South past Prairie Ridge
2nd half linkup gives Gators first win in Fox Valley Conference
By Matt Misiek
CRYSTAL LAKE -- Crystal Lake South senior forward Andrew Grabowski is no stranger to big performances in Fox Valley Conference contests over the past few years.
Grabowski has a big, physical presence and routinely works while being double- or even triple-teamed.
This season “Grabo,” as he's called on the field by his Gators compatriots, has the final opportunity to play alongside his brother Brad, a sophomore midfielder. You can usually spot Brad on the outside flanks, trying to find ways to set up his brother.
Thursday afternoon against visiting Prairie Ridge, the Grabowskis linked up in the 48th minute. This time, it was Brad breaking a 1-1 tie with a tally off of an excellent cross from Andrew. The goal put Crystal Lake South in front for the first time and resulted in a 2-1 Fox Valley Conference win for the hosts.
“To be honest, I didn’t really spot anyone,” said Andrew. “In training, you are taught that people should be there. I hit the ball the way I'm supposed to, and he was there.”
Brad talked about being rewarded for filling the gap in front of the goal.
“It has been pretty cool to see the success my brother has had this year and to see it firsthand,” he said. “I usually run back post, but this time I was filling the gap when no one was near post. I just ran to the near post.”
The younger Grabowski earned Chicagoland Soccer's Man of the Match honor for his initiative and game-winner.
“I went in with my right foot, and it kind of went right past me,” he said. “As it was coming down, it hit off my right leg and happened to roll over and into the net.”
Crystal Lake South (9-3-1, 1-1-0) coach Brian Allen said he had been looking forward to this connection for a while.
“We’ve been waiting for that,” said Allen. “They have a really good relationship, there is no rivalry between them. Little brother knows what his big brother can do and got himself in a dangerous area, and it all counts the same.”
Youth was served on the Gators’ first goal as well. Seconds before halftime, freshman Alex Canfield came flying through the box to head a superb cross from senior Nikolas Getzinger past Prairie Ridge goalie Adrian Kochmanski.
“There was space outside,” said Getzinger. “There was an overlapping run, and I noticed a space. I didn’t know if I was going to get the ball. but it was played.”
“It was a great ball by Andrew to find me and a fantastic finish by Alex, so I will give him all the credit for that one.”
Prairie Ridge (2-8-1, 1-3-0) got the first breakthrough in the 14th minute. A run through the middle by Wolves’ senior forward Billy Keaty’s caused a collision of three Gators in the box. In amongst the tumble was junior Sam Price, who took it left and slotted it past Crystal Lake South goalie Brandon Gorka.
“Billy was able to make a run into the middle,” said Price. “He was fouled, but luckily I was able to pick it up and finish.”
Prairie Ridge coach Colin Brice witnessed why the early lead didn't hold up for his Wolves.
“A few defensive lapses,” said Brice. “Then we struggled in the offensive third. We created many chances but just were unable to finish them. We are starting to progress and create many chances for ourselves.”
Brice saw several standout performances for his team.
“Matt King gave us a lot of controlling possession in midfield," he said. "Striker Billy Keaty played a huge part in creating chances up front. Our two center-backs, Lucas Rietz and Grant Jensen played a strong defensive game.”
Crystal Lake South has a very busy weekend in store. On top of Homecoming week, the Gators have two very meaningful matches. They meet Conant on Saturday and then play a rare Sunday match with the PepsiCo Gatorade bracket title on the line against no. 14 Addison Trail.
“It’s a huge test to see our growth,” said Allen. “Conant is one of the top Mid-Suburban League teams along with Barrington and has been doing terrific. Addison Trail’s only loss I believe was to Morton, and Morton is Morton. We are going to be tested.
“It will be good to see how we can handle the physicality, the speed, the back-to-back setup.”
Canfield also conveyed his excitement to the upcoming matches.
“It’s absolutely fantastic,” said Canfield. “I underestimated us completely, but I have completely changed my decision. We are so much better than I thought we were.”
Coach Allen knows what the Gators need for a successful weekend.
“We always talk about 'Crystal Lake South United,'” he said. “This weekend, more than ever in this program’s history, we will need to all be a united front where everyone knows they are going to get significant minutes in both games. We need everyone to stay healthy for both games and fresh for both games.
“We’ll put our best foot forward and see what happens. We’re probably underdogs in both games, but we don’t mind that role. We’re going to play smart and see if we can get some results.”
Starting lineups
Prairie Ridge
GK: Adrian Kochmanski
D: Dan Siever
D: Lucas Reitz
D: Grant Jensen
D: Morgan Kay
MF: Ryan Barbour
MF: Will Cotsiopoulos
MF: Warren Ndawula
MF: Sean Fenton
MF: Erik Truitt
F: Billy Keaty
Crystal Lake South
GK: Brandon Gorka
D: Joey Montalbano
D: Marcin Sliwinski
D: Ryan Yazel
D: Adam Greenfield
MF: Brad Grabowski
MF: Ryan Coughlin
MF: Nikolas Getzinger
MF: Angel Merida
MF: Jack Wruck
F: Andrew Grabowski
Man of the Match: Brad Grabowski, MF, Crystal Lake South
Referees: Gary Jorain (center); Neil Kregel; Scott Gessert
Crystal Lake South past Prairie Ridge
2nd half linkup gives Gators first win in Fox Valley Conference
By Matt Misiek
CRYSTAL LAKE -- Crystal Lake South senior forward Andrew Grabowski is no stranger to big performances in Fox Valley Conference contests over the past few years.
Grabowski has a big, physical presence and routinely works while being double- or even triple-teamed.
This season “Grabo,” as he's called on the field by his Gators compatriots, has the final opportunity to play alongside his brother Brad, a sophomore midfielder. You can usually spot Brad on the outside flanks, trying to find ways to set up his brother.
Thursday afternoon against visiting Prairie Ridge, the Grabowskis linked up in the 48th minute. This time, it was Brad breaking a 1-1 tie with a tally off of an excellent cross from Andrew. The goal put Crystal Lake South in front for the first time and resulted in a 2-1 Fox Valley Conference win for the hosts.
“To be honest, I didn’t really spot anyone,” said Andrew. “In training, you are taught that people should be there. I hit the ball the way I'm supposed to, and he was there.”
Brad talked about being rewarded for filling the gap in front of the goal.
“It has been pretty cool to see the success my brother has had this year and to see it firsthand,” he said. “I usually run back post, but this time I was filling the gap when no one was near post. I just ran to the near post.”
The younger Grabowski earned Chicagoland Soccer's Man of the Match honor for his initiative and game-winner.
“I went in with my right foot, and it kind of went right past me,” he said. “As it was coming down, it hit off my right leg and happened to roll over and into the net.”
Crystal Lake South (9-3-1, 1-1-0) coach Brian Allen said he had been looking forward to this connection for a while.
“We’ve been waiting for that,” said Allen. “They have a really good relationship, there is no rivalry between them. Little brother knows what his big brother can do and got himself in a dangerous area, and it all counts the same.”
Youth was served on the Gators’ first goal as well. Seconds before halftime, freshman Alex Canfield came flying through the box to head a superb cross from senior Nikolas Getzinger past Prairie Ridge goalie Adrian Kochmanski.
“There was space outside,” said Getzinger. “There was an overlapping run, and I noticed a space. I didn’t know if I was going to get the ball. but it was played.”
“It was a great ball by Andrew to find me and a fantastic finish by Alex, so I will give him all the credit for that one.”
Prairie Ridge (2-8-1, 1-3-0) got the first breakthrough in the 14th minute. A run through the middle by Wolves’ senior forward Billy Keaty’s caused a collision of three Gators in the box. In amongst the tumble was junior Sam Price, who took it left and slotted it past Crystal Lake South goalie Brandon Gorka.
“Billy was able to make a run into the middle,” said Price. “He was fouled, but luckily I was able to pick it up and finish.”
Prairie Ridge coach Colin Brice witnessed why the early lead didn't hold up for his Wolves.
“A few defensive lapses,” said Brice. “Then we struggled in the offensive third. We created many chances but just were unable to finish them. We are starting to progress and create many chances for ourselves.”
Brice saw several standout performances for his team.
“Matt King gave us a lot of controlling possession in midfield," he said. "Striker Billy Keaty played a huge part in creating chances up front. Our two center-backs, Lucas Rietz and Grant Jensen played a strong defensive game.”
Crystal Lake South has a very busy weekend in store. On top of Homecoming week, the Gators have two very meaningful matches. They meet Conant on Saturday and then play a rare Sunday match with the PepsiCo Gatorade bracket title on the line against no. 14 Addison Trail.
“It’s a huge test to see our growth,” said Allen. “Conant is one of the top Mid-Suburban League teams along with Barrington and has been doing terrific. Addison Trail’s only loss I believe was to Morton, and Morton is Morton. We are going to be tested.
“It will be good to see how we can handle the physicality, the speed, the back-to-back setup.”
Canfield also conveyed his excitement to the upcoming matches.
“It’s absolutely fantastic,” said Canfield. “I underestimated us completely, but I have completely changed my decision. We are so much better than I thought we were.”
Coach Allen knows what the Gators need for a successful weekend.
“We always talk about 'Crystal Lake South United,'” he said. “This weekend, more than ever in this program’s history, we will need to all be a united front where everyone knows they are going to get significant minutes in both games. We need everyone to stay healthy for both games and fresh for both games.
“We’ll put our best foot forward and see what happens. We’re probably underdogs in both games, but we don’t mind that role. We’re going to play smart and see if we can get some results.”
Starting lineups
Prairie Ridge
GK: Adrian Kochmanski
D: Dan Siever
D: Lucas Reitz
D: Grant Jensen
D: Morgan Kay
MF: Ryan Barbour
MF: Will Cotsiopoulos
MF: Warren Ndawula
MF: Sean Fenton
MF: Erik Truitt
F: Billy Keaty
Crystal Lake South
GK: Brandon Gorka
D: Joey Montalbano
D: Marcin Sliwinski
D: Ryan Yazel
D: Adam Greenfield
MF: Brad Grabowski
MF: Ryan Coughlin
MF: Nikolas Getzinger
MF: Angel Merida
MF: Jack Wruck
F: Andrew Grabowski
Man of the Match: Brad Grabowski, MF, Crystal Lake South
Referees: Gary Jorain (center); Neil Kregel; Scott Gessert