Deerfield hopes to continue
solid league start against Vernon Hills
By Rusty Silber
In its recent matches, Deerfield has seemed to turn the corner -- playing better soccer and recording positive results. The Warriors are coming off a 2-1 victory over Central Suburban League North Division foe Maine West on Tuesday night. The win kept them in the conference race with a 1-0-1 record.
"Overall, we are starting to play with more confidence and trust each other on the field," Deerfield coach Elliott Hurtig said. "We also have each other's backs both on the field and off the field. And when you know your teammate has your back, well, it just makes playing that much more fun."
A big part of the Warriors' turnaround has come on set-pieces.
"Our team is executing dead-ball plays much better over the last 5-6 games," Hurtig said. "We're finishing more chances."
Deerfield (4-7-1 overall) will have its first league meeting against newcomer Vernon Hills (8-5-0, 2-1-0) at 7 p.m. Thursday in Deerfield.
The Cougars joined the league this season, one of several changes in the north suburban prep soccer landscape: a new Northern Lake County Conference was formed; Waukegan moved into the North Suburban Conference; and Niles North shifted to the South Division of the Central Suburban League.
"Vernon Hills always has a solid team," Hurtig said. "They are well coached, and they move the ball well in a possession style of play.
"They have a powerful forward (Chris White), who is a solid scorer. We need to find a way to defend him effectively. We need to continue to play well in our box and win tackles effectively."
Vernon Hills's league record is gleaned from a 3-2 loss and wins against the Maines, a 3-1 decision over West and a 1-0 tally over East on Tuesday night.
"The last 2 games we have played very well," Vernon Hills coach Mike McCaulou said. "We can still do a better job in the final third with finishing and runs off the ball, but overall we have played a great team game."
The Cougars are no strangers playing Class 3A schools on their schedule before competing in the Class 2A tournament at the end of the season.
"Our program has beat some really great teams over the last four seasons, McCaulou said "So, I think our players have come to understand that we an beat anybody when we play our best game.
"Out of our 19 games this year, we play 14 of them versus 3A schools. This is done on purpose to prepare our players for the big picture and to develop them in all aspects of the game and life."
Being the new team on the block in the CSL North has been a positive experience for the Cougars.
"Great for our players to get exposed to different programs and players," McCaulou said "It's also nice to showcase our program collectively. We do feel we have a solid program and are competitive with most teams regardless of the class."
As for the match-up with Deerfield, Vernon Hills would like to flip the script from some previous losses in nonconference meetings.
"They have had our number the last three years, so I imagine it will be a great game." McCaulou said. "I expect them to be organized and disciplined as they are well coached. I feel whoever scores first is at a huge advantage."
The Cougars hope it's them.
"When we score early our energy level is off the charts," McCaulou said. "We do a good job applying pressure, and if we get something out of that pressure it seems to bode well for us."
solid league start against Vernon Hills
By Rusty Silber
In its recent matches, Deerfield has seemed to turn the corner -- playing better soccer and recording positive results. The Warriors are coming off a 2-1 victory over Central Suburban League North Division foe Maine West on Tuesday night. The win kept them in the conference race with a 1-0-1 record.
"Overall, we are starting to play with more confidence and trust each other on the field," Deerfield coach Elliott Hurtig said. "We also have each other's backs both on the field and off the field. And when you know your teammate has your back, well, it just makes playing that much more fun."
A big part of the Warriors' turnaround has come on set-pieces.
"Our team is executing dead-ball plays much better over the last 5-6 games," Hurtig said. "We're finishing more chances."
Deerfield (4-7-1 overall) will have its first league meeting against newcomer Vernon Hills (8-5-0, 2-1-0) at 7 p.m. Thursday in Deerfield.
The Cougars joined the league this season, one of several changes in the north suburban prep soccer landscape: a new Northern Lake County Conference was formed; Waukegan moved into the North Suburban Conference; and Niles North shifted to the South Division of the Central Suburban League.
"Vernon Hills always has a solid team," Hurtig said. "They are well coached, and they move the ball well in a possession style of play.
"They have a powerful forward (Chris White), who is a solid scorer. We need to find a way to defend him effectively. We need to continue to play well in our box and win tackles effectively."
Vernon Hills's league record is gleaned from a 3-2 loss and wins against the Maines, a 3-1 decision over West and a 1-0 tally over East on Tuesday night.
"The last 2 games we have played very well," Vernon Hills coach Mike McCaulou said. "We can still do a better job in the final third with finishing and runs off the ball, but overall we have played a great team game."
The Cougars are no strangers playing Class 3A schools on their schedule before competing in the Class 2A tournament at the end of the season.
"Our program has beat some really great teams over the last four seasons, McCaulou said "So, I think our players have come to understand that we an beat anybody when we play our best game.
"Out of our 19 games this year, we play 14 of them versus 3A schools. This is done on purpose to prepare our players for the big picture and to develop them in all aspects of the game and life."
Being the new team on the block in the CSL North has been a positive experience for the Cougars.
"Great for our players to get exposed to different programs and players," McCaulou said "It's also nice to showcase our program collectively. We do feel we have a solid program and are competitive with most teams regardless of the class."
As for the match-up with Deerfield, Vernon Hills would like to flip the script from some previous losses in nonconference meetings.
"They have had our number the last three years, so I imagine it will be a great game." McCaulou said. "I expect them to be organized and disciplined as they are well coached. I feel whoever scores first is at a huge advantage."
The Cougars hope it's them.
"When we score early our energy level is off the charts," McCaulou said. "We do a good job applying pressure, and if we get something out of that pressure it seems to bode well for us."