Is Lane out its funk? CPL playoffs will tell
By Patrick Z. McGavin
CHICAGO — The coach has many roles but one of the most important is being a realist. Andrew Ricks has been coaching the Lane boys for 12 years. The run has been marked by a consistency of excellence.
He has transcended the limitations and structural disadvantages of city soccer and built the rare program capable of playing with many of the top suburban and private school programs.
This year has been marked by struggle and anguish: blown leads, poor defensive clearances and missed assignments. Except for a 4-0 blowout loss against no. 11 St. Charles North, Lane has been competitive. The coach has to answer to the team's play and be honest about its performance. "This is a bit of a strange team," Ricks said. "Coaches have talked about it, that we have talent and we have tried to play a possession game.
"Most teams would say we're not a [three] win team, but we are. We haven't been good enough to tie games when we've been down a goal or hold onto a lead."
As the Indians prepare for their biggest game of the year Thursday, Lane is savoring its modest two-game winning streak and looking to put behind the frustrating memories of a season that has zigged more than it zagged.
In the culture of city soccer, the Chicago Public League tournament is the peak achievement. Lane has been the standard bearer. The Indians have appeared in an unprecedented four-consecutive title games. After three-consecutive runner-up finishes, Lane broke through with a 1-0 victory over Kelly last year.
On Thursday, Lane travels to the Southwest Side to face Kennedy. The winner advances to Saturday's quarterfinal round. Lane has great incentive because the semifinals and championship, set for Monday and Wednesday next week, are going to be played on the Indians' home field. It has not been easy getting a read, especially emotionally, on this year's group. Still, Lane has players who have played in multiple city title games.
That has to count for something.
"I think so in the sense that if you've been there one, the second time that might make it a little bit easier," Ricks said. "But it's also about how do you handle it? Are you hungrier for it or are you complacent because you won it last year? Sometimes I see inconsistency where we look hungry, but the finishing isn't there. What worries me then is the complacency. Right now it's a mixed bag."
He paused for a minute. "The winners get it done every single time no matter how. Also I want the experienced players because it also means we've won in the past."
Lane is coming off its strongest offensive performance as the Indians scored a season-high five goals — all in the first 28 minutes — of its 5-1 victory victory over Amundsen Monday night.
Star senior forward Owen Finn, who scored the game-winner in last year's city title game, continued his strong play with two goals and two assists. He scored both goals in the first six minutes and assisted forward Jose Terrazas twice.
For the first time in five years, Lane is not the consensus favorite. "The pressure is off of us, but we still have the pressure of winning the city title like we have in the past," Finn said. "We've been very successful, so it's good to try and keep that up."
Finn has scored seven goals and dished out eight assists. Senior forward Damian Pikul — the other player with extensive experience — has five goals. The team has 15 sophomores and juniors. One of those sophomores, keeper Simon Jillson, has shown tremendous progress in the last two weeks. He was dynamite in a 1-0 regular-season win over Taft and against Amundsen in the first half.
The backline still has a propensity for mistakes, Ricks said. Senior Cesar Garza has solidified the defense. Other offensive players other than Finn and Pikul have emerged. Lanky midfielder George Ivanov also scored a goal against Amundsen. He assisted Pikul's game-winner against Taft the previous game.
It has taken time, but Lane is showing signs at the right time.
"The younger players definitely look up to us, Owen and me, since we're the top scorers," Pikul said. "I'm pushing them in practice so that they can be ready when we're gone. We're trying to get our other players more into varsity level. They can definitely play, but they just need more experience at the varsity level."
By Patrick Z. McGavin
CHICAGO — The coach has many roles but one of the most important is being a realist. Andrew Ricks has been coaching the Lane boys for 12 years. The run has been marked by a consistency of excellence.
He has transcended the limitations and structural disadvantages of city soccer and built the rare program capable of playing with many of the top suburban and private school programs.
This year has been marked by struggle and anguish: blown leads, poor defensive clearances and missed assignments. Except for a 4-0 blowout loss against no. 11 St. Charles North, Lane has been competitive. The coach has to answer to the team's play and be honest about its performance. "This is a bit of a strange team," Ricks said. "Coaches have talked about it, that we have talent and we have tried to play a possession game.
"Most teams would say we're not a [three] win team, but we are. We haven't been good enough to tie games when we've been down a goal or hold onto a lead."
As the Indians prepare for their biggest game of the year Thursday, Lane is savoring its modest two-game winning streak and looking to put behind the frustrating memories of a season that has zigged more than it zagged.
In the culture of city soccer, the Chicago Public League tournament is the peak achievement. Lane has been the standard bearer. The Indians have appeared in an unprecedented four-consecutive title games. After three-consecutive runner-up finishes, Lane broke through with a 1-0 victory over Kelly last year.
On Thursday, Lane travels to the Southwest Side to face Kennedy. The winner advances to Saturday's quarterfinal round. Lane has great incentive because the semifinals and championship, set for Monday and Wednesday next week, are going to be played on the Indians' home field. It has not been easy getting a read, especially emotionally, on this year's group. Still, Lane has players who have played in multiple city title games.
That has to count for something.
"I think so in the sense that if you've been there one, the second time that might make it a little bit easier," Ricks said. "But it's also about how do you handle it? Are you hungrier for it or are you complacent because you won it last year? Sometimes I see inconsistency where we look hungry, but the finishing isn't there. What worries me then is the complacency. Right now it's a mixed bag."
He paused for a minute. "The winners get it done every single time no matter how. Also I want the experienced players because it also means we've won in the past."
Lane is coming off its strongest offensive performance as the Indians scored a season-high five goals — all in the first 28 minutes — of its 5-1 victory victory over Amundsen Monday night.
Star senior forward Owen Finn, who scored the game-winner in last year's city title game, continued his strong play with two goals and two assists. He scored both goals in the first six minutes and assisted forward Jose Terrazas twice.
For the first time in five years, Lane is not the consensus favorite. "The pressure is off of us, but we still have the pressure of winning the city title like we have in the past," Finn said. "We've been very successful, so it's good to try and keep that up."
Finn has scored seven goals and dished out eight assists. Senior forward Damian Pikul — the other player with extensive experience — has five goals. The team has 15 sophomores and juniors. One of those sophomores, keeper Simon Jillson, has shown tremendous progress in the last two weeks. He was dynamite in a 1-0 regular-season win over Taft and against Amundsen in the first half.
The backline still has a propensity for mistakes, Ricks said. Senior Cesar Garza has solidified the defense. Other offensive players other than Finn and Pikul have emerged. Lanky midfielder George Ivanov also scored a goal against Amundsen. He assisted Pikul's game-winner against Taft the previous game.
It has taken time, but Lane is showing signs at the right time.
"The younger players definitely look up to us, Owen and me, since we're the top scorers," Pikul said. "I'm pushing them in practice so that they can be ready when we're gone. We're trying to get our other players more into varsity level. They can definitely play, but they just need more experience at the varsity level."