Lane looks to keep on
winning path in Premier opener
By Patrick Z. McGavin
CHICAGO -- Public League soccer is about to get very hot.
The city does things its own way and produces a very particular culture—like not starting school until the day after Labor Day. The extended summer is over. The games also get more sectarian and intense.
Lane is a traditional city power. In the cycles of Chicago Public League soccer, the Indians are a constant. Other schools float in and out of prominence. Lane is solid, even dependable, a known quantity.
A year ago, the Indians lost their stride. Coming off a city title, the team suffered some significant graduation losses. Lane had one foundational player -- Owen Finn -- and some intriguing pieces. Everything did not always connect. Lane fell from its lofty heights, almost to the point of being relegated out of the top conference, the Premier.
Lane held on and won two games in the state tournament, a quarterfinal 8-0 win against Steinmetz and a 4-2 upset of New Trier. Last year was a transition.
Now the Indians have some new players, three seniors and a junior, to be precise, who are breaking in with the team. They are either playing high school for the first time after taking part in academy soccer, or recovering from injuries.
Lane (4-0-1) has won four-straight games since a season-opening scoreless draw with Taft. Two of those wins came over suburban programs -- Niles West and Highland Park -- always a measuring stick for a city team. Ricks wanted to experience some early success before the grind of the season took over. So far, so good.
Now the Indians take a delayed, though important next step with their first Premier game by traveling to Mather. Lane’s scheduled conference opener, set for last Friday with defending league champion Solorio, was postponed because of a bus issue.
Veteran coach Andrew Ricks is encouraged by his team’s undefeated start.
“We have very good depth,” Ricks said. ‘We have a good work ethic. Most important we have good components: we can defend, we have clever players, and we can score. I think we can hang with anybody.”
Alfredo Guzman is arguably the team’s best player, according to Ricks. Previously he played with the Chicago Fire Academy and is playing high school soccer for the first time. He brings a technical edge and sharp ability to the backline.
“That’s a big deal. Having a guy with that kind of experience is definitely very helpful,” Ricks said.
Junior forward Alex Mezyk, one of the many young players pushed into a prominent role a year ago, is the Indians’ leading scorer. Brandon Rivera, a junior midfielder and another of the newcomers, has been a revelation as a creator and playmaker. Marcin Kieta and Kevin Mienta are the other capable offensive talents.
Junior Fabian Venegas has been solid as the keeper.
“We had a very young team last year, and now they are a year older, so that is good as well,” Ricks said.
This iteration of the Rangers is a bit of an unknown. Mather was elevated from the 1st Division North to the Premier. The two programs have a colorful, even quixotic history. Five years ago, Mather became the first city school in nearly four decades to win a state championship when team infused with talent from a group of emigre transfers demolished the field in the Class 2A state championship.
That team beat Lane twice, including 1-0 in the city championship.
“I’m only going by history,” Ricks said. “They are always tough to play, especially on their field.”
Mather is known for its dirty tactics, not being to control the crowd, or if they have a lead, the balls suddenly disappear from the sidelines. I do not know much about them. I just know it’s going to be a hard game.
“I think our kids are going to be ready for them.”
winning path in Premier opener
By Patrick Z. McGavin
CHICAGO -- Public League soccer is about to get very hot.
The city does things its own way and produces a very particular culture—like not starting school until the day after Labor Day. The extended summer is over. The games also get more sectarian and intense.
Lane is a traditional city power. In the cycles of Chicago Public League soccer, the Indians are a constant. Other schools float in and out of prominence. Lane is solid, even dependable, a known quantity.
A year ago, the Indians lost their stride. Coming off a city title, the team suffered some significant graduation losses. Lane had one foundational player -- Owen Finn -- and some intriguing pieces. Everything did not always connect. Lane fell from its lofty heights, almost to the point of being relegated out of the top conference, the Premier.
Lane held on and won two games in the state tournament, a quarterfinal 8-0 win against Steinmetz and a 4-2 upset of New Trier. Last year was a transition.
Now the Indians have some new players, three seniors and a junior, to be precise, who are breaking in with the team. They are either playing high school for the first time after taking part in academy soccer, or recovering from injuries.
Lane (4-0-1) has won four-straight games since a season-opening scoreless draw with Taft. Two of those wins came over suburban programs -- Niles West and Highland Park -- always a measuring stick for a city team. Ricks wanted to experience some early success before the grind of the season took over. So far, so good.
Now the Indians take a delayed, though important next step with their first Premier game by traveling to Mather. Lane’s scheduled conference opener, set for last Friday with defending league champion Solorio, was postponed because of a bus issue.
Veteran coach Andrew Ricks is encouraged by his team’s undefeated start.
“We have very good depth,” Ricks said. ‘We have a good work ethic. Most important we have good components: we can defend, we have clever players, and we can score. I think we can hang with anybody.”
Alfredo Guzman is arguably the team’s best player, according to Ricks. Previously he played with the Chicago Fire Academy and is playing high school soccer for the first time. He brings a technical edge and sharp ability to the backline.
“That’s a big deal. Having a guy with that kind of experience is definitely very helpful,” Ricks said.
Junior forward Alex Mezyk, one of the many young players pushed into a prominent role a year ago, is the Indians’ leading scorer. Brandon Rivera, a junior midfielder and another of the newcomers, has been a revelation as a creator and playmaker. Marcin Kieta and Kevin Mienta are the other capable offensive talents.
Junior Fabian Venegas has been solid as the keeper.
“We had a very young team last year, and now they are a year older, so that is good as well,” Ricks said.
This iteration of the Rangers is a bit of an unknown. Mather was elevated from the 1st Division North to the Premier. The two programs have a colorful, even quixotic history. Five years ago, Mather became the first city school in nearly four decades to win a state championship when team infused with talent from a group of emigre transfers demolished the field in the Class 2A state championship.
That team beat Lane twice, including 1-0 in the city championship.
“I’m only going by history,” Ricks said. “They are always tough to play, especially on their field.”
Mather is known for its dirty tactics, not being to control the crowd, or if they have a lead, the balls suddenly disappear from the sidelines. I do not know much about them. I just know it’s going to be a hard game.
“I think our kids are going to be ready for them.”