Season opener nothing
to shake a shillelagh at
Saint Viator travels to Buffalo Grove
for battle of northwest suburban powers
By Dave Owen
A matchup of perennially powerful programs in different classes makes for an interesting St. Patrick’s Day matchup at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in Buffalo Grove.
Both the host Bison and visiting Saint Viator come off sectional final appearances last season, and 2015 holds major optimism for both sides.
Buffalo Grove was 23-3-2 last year and placed fourth in Class 3A in 2013. A strong nucleus of players remain.
“This season we will lean on Sara Busse, Jessica Kovach, and Sarah O'Connor,” Bison coach Pat Dudle said. “All three of these seniors have been a big reason for our success the last three seasons.”
The visiting Class 2A Lions were eliminated by eventual champion Lake Forest in the sectional title match last spring, and figure to be back at an elite level.
“I’m excited for this season. I return eight players from last year, with a couple of new players,” St. Viator coach Mike Taylor said. “We will be growing as the season goes on and should be ready at the end.”
Taylor coached the Lions to third place in Class 2A in 2012. With its historically tough nonconference schedule of matches, like Tuesday, Saint Viator figures to be formidable again in May.
“Buffalo Grove is a great program and always has a good team,” Taylor said, “so I’m looking forward to a good game. If we have weaknesses they will definitely expose them, which will help us get better.”
Buffalo Grove defeated the Lions 5-1 in the season opener last year, and presents talent beyond Busse, Kovach and goalkeeper O’Connor.
“Although we have lost a lot to graduation, we have some returners that logged meaningful minutes on varsity last year,” Dudle said. “Maria Hamilton will give us senior leadership in the back line. Sophomore Danielle Allaire will add some toughness in our back four.
“Junior Sabrina Guercio adds pace and creativity in the midfield, and both Hannah Cole and Georgette Topalis are back on varsity for their sophomore campaign and will have opportunities to help our club.”
Saint Viator won 13 matches and a share of the ESCC title last spring. Maggie Leazer and defender Maureen McGrath were among the standout underclassmen on that squad.
to shake a shillelagh at
Saint Viator travels to Buffalo Grove
for battle of northwest suburban powers
By Dave Owen
A matchup of perennially powerful programs in different classes makes for an interesting St. Patrick’s Day matchup at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday in Buffalo Grove.
Both the host Bison and visiting Saint Viator come off sectional final appearances last season, and 2015 holds major optimism for both sides.
Buffalo Grove was 23-3-2 last year and placed fourth in Class 3A in 2013. A strong nucleus of players remain.
“This season we will lean on Sara Busse, Jessica Kovach, and Sarah O'Connor,” Bison coach Pat Dudle said. “All three of these seniors have been a big reason for our success the last three seasons.”
The visiting Class 2A Lions were eliminated by eventual champion Lake Forest in the sectional title match last spring, and figure to be back at an elite level.
“I’m excited for this season. I return eight players from last year, with a couple of new players,” St. Viator coach Mike Taylor said. “We will be growing as the season goes on and should be ready at the end.”
Taylor coached the Lions to third place in Class 2A in 2012. With its historically tough nonconference schedule of matches, like Tuesday, Saint Viator figures to be formidable again in May.
“Buffalo Grove is a great program and always has a good team,” Taylor said, “so I’m looking forward to a good game. If we have weaknesses they will definitely expose them, which will help us get better.”
Buffalo Grove defeated the Lions 5-1 in the season opener last year, and presents talent beyond Busse, Kovach and goalkeeper O’Connor.
“Although we have lost a lot to graduation, we have some returners that logged meaningful minutes on varsity last year,” Dudle said. “Maria Hamilton will give us senior leadership in the back line. Sophomore Danielle Allaire will add some toughness in our back four.
“Junior Sabrina Guercio adds pace and creativity in the midfield, and both Hannah Cole and Georgette Topalis are back on varsity for their sophomore campaign and will have opportunities to help our club.”
Saint Viator won 13 matches and a share of the ESCC title last spring. Maggie Leazer and defender Maureen McGrath were among the standout underclassmen on that squad.
