North Shore Country Day has started to put things together.

After a 1-8-1 run through the first 10 games of the season, the pieces are starting to fall into place.

That bodes well as the Raiders stride into their final Independent School League and regular-season match against visiting Latin at 4:15 p.m. Tuesday at Skokie Playfields.

The defending 2023 Class A state champions are sitting on a 4-9-3 overall record, but the last six games have been encouraging to say the least.

The Raiders have lost only once in the span with three wins and two ties. They had a tentative Monday night nonconference matchup against Ida Crown wiped out because of the Chicago Prep Conference playoffs.

North Shore Country Day won its last two conference games against Parker and league-leading Northridge by identical 2-0 tallies. The only loss in the run came on the back half of games on consecutive days.

In their previous meeting, Latin and the Raiders tied 1-1 on Sept. 19 in Chicago.

The Raiders sit in fourth place with a mark of 3-5-1 in conference. That number looks better when you consider the team’s 0-4-0 start in league play.

Click here to see the Independent School League standings

“Great second half after a slow start,” said Raiders coach Mike Pilger.  “Tons of injuries to key returners, and (we’re a) young team.

“Took a while for us to get healthy, and the youngsters had to learn fast. Looking optimistically at the postseason as we’re playing our best at the right time.”

Latin is currently sits in second in the Independent School League race with a mark of 5-1-1 and 16 points. Northridge sits one point ahead, but his played two more games. Lake Forest Academy is third at 4-2-1.

Latin, who won the Class AA state crown in 2016, are led offensively by Bear Beghe and Diego Fernandez.

“We don’t have any (particular) individual that stands out,” said Latin coach Andrew Sanchez. “This year has been a true team effort on the field.”

Sanchez added that the Romans (9-4-2) have persevered despite their own personnel issues.

“Collectively,” said the coach, “we have several players battling injuries, and we’ve relied on our depth to stay in games. In general, the season has been going well, but the injuries have piled up to the point where we haven’t had a consistent starting lineup.”

Latin sports a balanced attack with a solid defense. In their nine wins this season, they hold a 17-3 goal advantage.

Sanchez expects Tuesday’s match it to be much the same as the earlier deadlock.

“North Shore Country Day is a strong, physical team,” said the coach. “We are always physically tested (by them), and we expect this game to be no different.

“Our season is nearing a close, and we hope to have a few players returning from injury for the postseason. We want to finish conference play on a strong note.”

The Romans end their conference season with two matches against Lake Forest Academy that will likely decide the conference champion.

Pilger also expects another nip-and-tuck affair for the home side.

He said that Henry Gallun, Razaan Ghazi, Anthony Merino and Ben Rodzynek have paced North Shore Country Day’s second half surge.

“Should be close like all our other league games,” he added, “like our 1-1 (finish) last time. Latin is very good.”