Host Elk Grove seeks to keep win
streak alive against hungry Barrington team
Grenadiers seek 4th-consecutive win, Broncos want to end losing streak
By Ken Keenan
After dropping the final two matches of its Barrington Classic, the Broncos will look to right the ship when they visit Elk Grove for a MSL crossover match at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Warren edged Barrington 1-0 in the tourney's third-place match on Saturday, a day after Lake Zurich prevailed by a 3-2 count. The Broncos (3-3-0 overall) opened Classic play with a 2-0 decision over Crystal Lake South on Sept. 2, and followed up the next day with a 3-2 victory over St. Charles North.
"It's frustrating to lose the last two," said Barrington head coach Scott Steib, whose 2013 club finished 19-4-4 after losing to Wheeling in a supersectional final. "I think we were right there with those two teams in the final round. The most disappointing thing, I think, was a desire thing (vs. Lake Zurich). We had some chances against Warren, but we didn't finish."
Barrington took on Warren minus a trio of top players -- senior midfielder Giles Phillips, and senior defenders Tyler Anderson and Shawn Owen -- each of whom sat out with minor injuries. All three were selected to the Barrington Classic all-tournament team, along with senior forward Austin Grzebieniak, who leads the Broncos in scoring with three goals and two assists.
"We were more concerned with them getting healthy for a conference match, so we took an opportunity to play some other guys," Steib said. "Those four are kids who have been around the block with us, and in substantial roles. Austin has been fantastic in terms of consistency as an attacking midfielder; Tyler is just a great athlete whose attributes play well in space; Giles is a big boy (6-foot-1, 180 pounds), and plays like it; and Shawn is our most aggressive kid.
"We're creating chances -- it's just a matter of finishing. As a coach, you're happy to have chances, so it should come around. And I think you'll see us respond in terms of energy (vs. Elk Grove) quite well -- the two losses will make us more focused."
The Grenadiers, on the other hand, will entertain the Broncos on the strength of a three-game winning streak. Elk Grove (3-1-1 overall) blanked Jacobs 1-0 on Saturday, four days after shutting out Von Steuben 2-0. The victorious stretch began with a 3-2 win over Totino-Grace (Minn.) on Aug. 30.
"The biggest key for the guys is that they have become much more disciplined in the system," EG head coach Rob Shepard said. "Combining that approach with just a faster pace of play has really helped. We're still seeking to play a full 80 minutes, but those two adjustments have helped us immensely the past three games."
Senior goalkeeper Alberto Centeno earned each of the two shutouts, lowering his goals-against average to 0.67, and junior midfielder Oscar Suarez scored the lone goal in the win over Jacobs. Meanwhile, senior defender Edgar Soto's two goals and an assist leads the Grens' scoring chart, followed by a pair of goals from junior forward/midfielder Dan Hadler.
Elk Grove knows it will be no easy task to continue the hot streak when Barrington comes to town, especially with the Broncos in the midst of a two-match skid.
"They are coached by perhaps the best (staff) in the area, and will make all of the necessary adjustments to be ready for their MSL opener," Shepard said. "They had two tough losses against quality opponents, so they certainly aren't very far away from sustained success. In order to beat Barrington, we will have to be disciplined in coordinating our defense, and be ready to handle their adjustments.
"I'd love to see us continue to be dangerous in the attacking third of the field. I am also looking for our center backs to step up and truly command the line -- and the team -- as we look to maintain our team shape."
streak alive against hungry Barrington team
Grenadiers seek 4th-consecutive win, Broncos want to end losing streak
By Ken Keenan
After dropping the final two matches of its Barrington Classic, the Broncos will look to right the ship when they visit Elk Grove for a MSL crossover match at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday.
Warren edged Barrington 1-0 in the tourney's third-place match on Saturday, a day after Lake Zurich prevailed by a 3-2 count. The Broncos (3-3-0 overall) opened Classic play with a 2-0 decision over Crystal Lake South on Sept. 2, and followed up the next day with a 3-2 victory over St. Charles North.
"It's frustrating to lose the last two," said Barrington head coach Scott Steib, whose 2013 club finished 19-4-4 after losing to Wheeling in a supersectional final. "I think we were right there with those two teams in the final round. The most disappointing thing, I think, was a desire thing (vs. Lake Zurich). We had some chances against Warren, but we didn't finish."
Barrington took on Warren minus a trio of top players -- senior midfielder Giles Phillips, and senior defenders Tyler Anderson and Shawn Owen -- each of whom sat out with minor injuries. All three were selected to the Barrington Classic all-tournament team, along with senior forward Austin Grzebieniak, who leads the Broncos in scoring with three goals and two assists.
"We were more concerned with them getting healthy for a conference match, so we took an opportunity to play some other guys," Steib said. "Those four are kids who have been around the block with us, and in substantial roles. Austin has been fantastic in terms of consistency as an attacking midfielder; Tyler is just a great athlete whose attributes play well in space; Giles is a big boy (6-foot-1, 180 pounds), and plays like it; and Shawn is our most aggressive kid.
"We're creating chances -- it's just a matter of finishing. As a coach, you're happy to have chances, so it should come around. And I think you'll see us respond in terms of energy (vs. Elk Grove) quite well -- the two losses will make us more focused."
The Grenadiers, on the other hand, will entertain the Broncos on the strength of a three-game winning streak. Elk Grove (3-1-1 overall) blanked Jacobs 1-0 on Saturday, four days after shutting out Von Steuben 2-0. The victorious stretch began with a 3-2 win over Totino-Grace (Minn.) on Aug. 30.
"The biggest key for the guys is that they have become much more disciplined in the system," EG head coach Rob Shepard said. "Combining that approach with just a faster pace of play has really helped. We're still seeking to play a full 80 minutes, but those two adjustments have helped us immensely the past three games."
Senior goalkeeper Alberto Centeno earned each of the two shutouts, lowering his goals-against average to 0.67, and junior midfielder Oscar Suarez scored the lone goal in the win over Jacobs. Meanwhile, senior defender Edgar Soto's two goals and an assist leads the Grens' scoring chart, followed by a pair of goals from junior forward/midfielder Dan Hadler.
Elk Grove knows it will be no easy task to continue the hot streak when Barrington comes to town, especially with the Broncos in the midst of a two-match skid.
"They are coached by perhaps the best (staff) in the area, and will make all of the necessary adjustments to be ready for their MSL opener," Shepard said. "They had two tough losses against quality opponents, so they certainly aren't very far away from sustained success. In order to beat Barrington, we will have to be disciplined in coordinating our defense, and be ready to handle their adjustments.
"I'd love to see us continue to be dangerous in the attacking third of the field. I am also looking for our center backs to step up and truly command the line -- and the team -- as we look to maintain our team shape."