Wheaton N., Neuqua V. focus
on the task at hand
By Steve Nemeth
Quite frankly, Wheaton North and Neuqua Valley are two programs that prefer to let their on-field play do the talking.
Yes it’s a DuPage Valley Conference showdown involving 2015 champion Wheaton North and one of the league’s three newcomers in Neuqua Valley, so there isn’t a lot of history. Tonight's game at 6:30 in Wheaton is on the moment at hand.
Wheaton North (8-6-2) had gone four matches (3-0-1) without a loss until last Friday’s tangle with Wheaton Academy that decided the champion of the inaugural Wheaton Invitational. Unfortunately for the Falcons, the host Warriors slipped by with a 1-0 victory to end their string of success.
Neuqua Valley coach Joe Moreau has had his own share of frustration. His Wildcats had not only endured a five-match losing streak, but failed to score in the first four of those outings.
Whatever force field Neuqua Valley (5-7-1) faced finally cracked in the final three minutes of a 2-1 loss to Oswego. Then came a 1-0 triumph in the team's Naperville Invitational consolation finale against a strong Conant team.
“It was definitely nice to get the win against Conant,” Moreau said with clear relief. “We have been creating chances, but just not finishing. It was nice to be able to finish,” Moreau added as if needing to emphasize the success.
“Wheaton North has been strong the last few years. Tim does a nice job having his girls prepared to play every game. We think every game is important, so we won’t look at this game any differently than any other.”
With Chicagoland Soccer's new no. 1-ranked team, Naperville North, appearing virtually unbeatable atop the DVC standings, runner-up status may be what the rest of the league plays for for regardless of the number of conference games they have left on the schedule. Respect and momentum are among the reasons for the Wildcats to improve their 2-3-1 league record with the first of three-straight DuPage Valley Conference games.
“As a new member of the DVC, one of the biggest challenges is competing against teams that we have not faced in conference games in the past such as Wheaton North,” veteran Haley Singer said. “It’s important for us to find a win against them, because it will boost our confidence levels for the games to come.
“The win over Conant shows our team that we are capable of winning tough games throughout the rest of the season. Although we are satisfied to win, we also would like to put a few more in the back of the net.”
In 2015, Neuqua Valley ironically also lost both group play games in the Naperville Invitational, but then went to finish second in the Class 3A state tournament. For a team that could make noise again in the state meet, the Wildcats could be viewed by some as underdogs.
“I do believe some of our opponents may think we are not the team we were last year when they look at our record,” Singer said. “I’m okay with any opponent underestimating our capabilities, because they have only looked at our record. I know we have fought hard in every game, and we know the level of soccer we are going to bring in the games to come, and that’s all that we focus on.”
That's a philosophy the coach shares with his junior forward.
“We are not very concerned what our opponents think of us, we just want to be prepared to give anyone a battle,” Moreau said. “We simply try to prepare by playing as tough a schedule as we can.”
Neuqua Valley does face a very capable and largely unheralded goalie in Zoe Welsh. The Wheaton North sophomore was the victim of a defensive letdown in the Wheaton Invitational finale. A phenomenal leaping tip save and cannon-shot stop from 8 yards had the crowd buzzing and Wheaton Academy’s coach David Underwood convinced the Warriors could have had at least two more goals if not for Walsh.
Falcons coach Tim McEvilly also had a plethora of compliments for the all-around play of freshman Ana Warfield, who took on more of a playmaker role with Maggie Hupp having to sit out Friday evening due to a red card in the prior tournament game.
on the task at hand
By Steve Nemeth
Quite frankly, Wheaton North and Neuqua Valley are two programs that prefer to let their on-field play do the talking.
Yes it’s a DuPage Valley Conference showdown involving 2015 champion Wheaton North and one of the league’s three newcomers in Neuqua Valley, so there isn’t a lot of history. Tonight's game at 6:30 in Wheaton is on the moment at hand.
Wheaton North (8-6-2) had gone four matches (3-0-1) without a loss until last Friday’s tangle with Wheaton Academy that decided the champion of the inaugural Wheaton Invitational. Unfortunately for the Falcons, the host Warriors slipped by with a 1-0 victory to end their string of success.
Neuqua Valley coach Joe Moreau has had his own share of frustration. His Wildcats had not only endured a five-match losing streak, but failed to score in the first four of those outings.
Whatever force field Neuqua Valley (5-7-1) faced finally cracked in the final three minutes of a 2-1 loss to Oswego. Then came a 1-0 triumph in the team's Naperville Invitational consolation finale against a strong Conant team.
“It was definitely nice to get the win against Conant,” Moreau said with clear relief. “We have been creating chances, but just not finishing. It was nice to be able to finish,” Moreau added as if needing to emphasize the success.
“Wheaton North has been strong the last few years. Tim does a nice job having his girls prepared to play every game. We think every game is important, so we won’t look at this game any differently than any other.”
With Chicagoland Soccer's new no. 1-ranked team, Naperville North, appearing virtually unbeatable atop the DVC standings, runner-up status may be what the rest of the league plays for for regardless of the number of conference games they have left on the schedule. Respect and momentum are among the reasons for the Wildcats to improve their 2-3-1 league record with the first of three-straight DuPage Valley Conference games.
“As a new member of the DVC, one of the biggest challenges is competing against teams that we have not faced in conference games in the past such as Wheaton North,” veteran Haley Singer said. “It’s important for us to find a win against them, because it will boost our confidence levels for the games to come.
“The win over Conant shows our team that we are capable of winning tough games throughout the rest of the season. Although we are satisfied to win, we also would like to put a few more in the back of the net.”
In 2015, Neuqua Valley ironically also lost both group play games in the Naperville Invitational, but then went to finish second in the Class 3A state tournament. For a team that could make noise again in the state meet, the Wildcats could be viewed by some as underdogs.
“I do believe some of our opponents may think we are not the team we were last year when they look at our record,” Singer said. “I’m okay with any opponent underestimating our capabilities, because they have only looked at our record. I know we have fought hard in every game, and we know the level of soccer we are going to bring in the games to come, and that’s all that we focus on.”
That's a philosophy the coach shares with his junior forward.
“We are not very concerned what our opponents think of us, we just want to be prepared to give anyone a battle,” Moreau said. “We simply try to prepare by playing as tough a schedule as we can.”
Neuqua Valley does face a very capable and largely unheralded goalie in Zoe Welsh. The Wheaton North sophomore was the victim of a defensive letdown in the Wheaton Invitational finale. A phenomenal leaping tip save and cannon-shot stop from 8 yards had the crowd buzzing and Wheaton Academy’s coach David Underwood convinced the Warriors could have had at least two more goals if not for Walsh.
Falcons coach Tim McEvilly also had a plethora of compliments for the all-around play of freshman Ana Warfield, who took on more of a playmaker role with Maggie Hupp having to sit out Friday evening due to a red card in the prior tournament game.
