Deerfield stands in way of perfect
league mark for Glenbrook North
By Patrick Z. McGavin
A soccer season that seemingly just started is now a blur -- games, events and stories have flown by. This is the time of the campaign that coaches look to refine the subtleties: a small tick in the attack and/or a glitch in the back.
The end is approaching, but it is much too early to coast. Glenbrook North has already constructed a dream season. The Spartans (15-1-1), ranked second in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, have won nine-straight games and look to close out a perfect run in the Central Suburban League North Division on Tuesday at Deerfield before taking on the South Division winner for the conference title Wednesday.
The Warriors (5-9-2, 2-0-2) stand in their path. Deerfield has had an up-and-down season. The team has been competitive since the first game of the year, but has struggled to score of late, going 0-2-1 in its last three, including a lightning-shortened 1-0 loss against Stevenson on Saturday.
By contrast, Glenbrook North has been firing on all cylinders. The Spartans cruised to a victory in the Gateway Classic in St. Louis, defeating programs from Missouri, Kentucky and Indiana by a combined 12-1. Sahil Modi scored four goals in the 5-1 victory over Reitz Memorial (Evansville, Ind.) in the championship game.
Coach Paul Vignocchi was most impressed by the complete effort, paying particular attention to the superb work put in by the Spartans’ role players. Keeper Gabe Zorilla injured his back last week against Vernon Hills, and Daniel Spencer performed admirably in his absence.
“Our role players stepped up and did an excellent job and our starters played very well together,” he said. “It was a complete team effort for every game.”
Glenbrook North earned the top-seed at the Class 3A Maine East Sectional. The Spartans have proven virtually impenetrable during the nine-game winning streak in posting six shutouts.
“In my opinion Seth Grossman is the best defender in the state,” Vignocchi said. “He is doing an excellent job of organizing the back and taking on more responsibility.”
Deerfield’s record is deceiving. The Warriors are 5-3-2 in their last 10 matches. The team features several strong midfielders in Matthew Grady, junior Wes Miller and Louis Solovy. Forward Collin Hinds and Solovy are throw-in specialists, each capable of the flip throw. Junior forward Cory Johnson is also a dangerous player.
“Often we move the ball well, even control the midfield, and it just a matter of the guys combining the possession and being more consistent with it,” Deerfield coach Elliott Hurtig said. “Too often we are not finding feet. We are delivering balls that are going out of bounds, and we are struggling to string together the last pass. Once we do that, we are going to start putting them in the back of the net.”
Deerfield is a proud program and plays tough and smart soccer. Sophomore Ryan Grady has emerged as a highly skilled and impressive keeper.
The Glenbrook North game begins an exceptionally busy stretch for the Warriors, the start of four games in six days. Repetition, consistency and staying sharp assumes greater importance at this time.
“We had a great match with Deerfield over the summer, and I expect an organized, hard-working team from the back to the front,” Vignocchi said. “They have some players that can make a difference. If we allow them space and time, they can be very effective.”
league mark for Glenbrook North
By Patrick Z. McGavin
A soccer season that seemingly just started is now a blur -- games, events and stories have flown by. This is the time of the campaign that coaches look to refine the subtleties: a small tick in the attack and/or a glitch in the back.
The end is approaching, but it is much too early to coast. Glenbrook North has already constructed a dream season. The Spartans (15-1-1), ranked second in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, have won nine-straight games and look to close out a perfect run in the Central Suburban League North Division on Tuesday at Deerfield before taking on the South Division winner for the conference title Wednesday.
The Warriors (5-9-2, 2-0-2) stand in their path. Deerfield has had an up-and-down season. The team has been competitive since the first game of the year, but has struggled to score of late, going 0-2-1 in its last three, including a lightning-shortened 1-0 loss against Stevenson on Saturday.
By contrast, Glenbrook North has been firing on all cylinders. The Spartans cruised to a victory in the Gateway Classic in St. Louis, defeating programs from Missouri, Kentucky and Indiana by a combined 12-1. Sahil Modi scored four goals in the 5-1 victory over Reitz Memorial (Evansville, Ind.) in the championship game.
Coach Paul Vignocchi was most impressed by the complete effort, paying particular attention to the superb work put in by the Spartans’ role players. Keeper Gabe Zorilla injured his back last week against Vernon Hills, and Daniel Spencer performed admirably in his absence.
“Our role players stepped up and did an excellent job and our starters played very well together,” he said. “It was a complete team effort for every game.”
Glenbrook North earned the top-seed at the Class 3A Maine East Sectional. The Spartans have proven virtually impenetrable during the nine-game winning streak in posting six shutouts.
“In my opinion Seth Grossman is the best defender in the state,” Vignocchi said. “He is doing an excellent job of organizing the back and taking on more responsibility.”
Deerfield’s record is deceiving. The Warriors are 5-3-2 in their last 10 matches. The team features several strong midfielders in Matthew Grady, junior Wes Miller and Louis Solovy. Forward Collin Hinds and Solovy are throw-in specialists, each capable of the flip throw. Junior forward Cory Johnson is also a dangerous player.
“Often we move the ball well, even control the midfield, and it just a matter of the guys combining the possession and being more consistent with it,” Deerfield coach Elliott Hurtig said. “Too often we are not finding feet. We are delivering balls that are going out of bounds, and we are struggling to string together the last pass. Once we do that, we are going to start putting them in the back of the net.”
Deerfield is a proud program and plays tough and smart soccer. Sophomore Ryan Grady has emerged as a highly skilled and impressive keeper.
The Glenbrook North game begins an exceptionally busy stretch for the Warriors, the start of four games in six days. Repetition, consistency and staying sharp assumes greater importance at this time.
“We had a great match with Deerfield over the summer, and I expect an organized, hard-working team from the back to the front,” Vignocchi said. “They have some players that can make a difference. If we allow them space and time, they can be very effective.”
