Saints facing major
challenge vs. Batavia
St. Charles East puts unbeaten record on the line
By Steve Nemeth
Batavia’s Tuesday visit to St. Charles East has a lot more at stake than just an early meeting of unbeatens in the Upstate Eight Conference’s River Division.
Yes, both teams are 2-0 in conference, but more notably it’s a showdown between two powerful Top 20 programs that have battled plenty of other top opposition.
St. Charles East enters the home date at 4:30 p.m. (revised start from preseason schedule) looking to improve on an 8-0 record that has included some notable victories. The Saints began the year with a 5-1 road win over a Neuqua Valley team originally listed among the state’s top 10.
More recently, top-ranked East posted a 4-2 win over a fifth-ranked New Trier squad in the Trevians’ Invitational. The Saints claimed that trophy with 2-1 overtime victory over No. 6 Lyons.
“It’s simply been good, old-fashioned hard work,” St. Charles East coach Paul Jennison insisted. “They push themselves to find a way to win. They’re very grounded in practice or matches, an incredible focus on knowing what they want to achieve.”
Batavia – rated No. 14 -- brings a 6-1-1 mark fresh off a second-place showing in the Morton Invitational. The Bulldogs began the year with 381 minutes and 49 seconds of shutout soccer until Naperville North finally ended that streak. The Huskies got a second goal three minutes prior to the final whistle to give Batavia its first loss.
Coach Mark Gianfrancesco’s squad rebounded with a 4-2 triumph over Romeoville to start the Morton Invitational and then posted a 3-1 come-from-behind conquest of defending Class 3A state champion Edwardsville.
Not only was that Edwardsville’s first defeat for 2014, but it also ended a 23-match unbeaten (22-0-1) string for the Tigers. Bulldogs standout Ian Larson scored in the 47th minute for the equalizer and then tallied the match winner in the 70th minute. Davis DiBiase added an insurance goal in the 71st minute.
That led to a title showdown against Rochester. The two sides battled to a 1-1 regulation deadlock before the Potters pulled out a 6-5 penalty kick shootout to decide the trophy for the eight-school event.
“It’s a conference match, so we’re looking for a strong performance to continue our successful start,” Gianfrancesco said. “We know (East) will be well organized and prepared for the match, especially in the areas of set plays and their attack. We need to continue to work on communicatiion to help organize ourselves to continue improving.”
Larson has been incredible on offense registering either a goal or an assist in Batavia’s first seven matches. He has had solid support from fellow seniors Kevin Collins and Nick Konopacki.
“St. Charles East is going to be the toughest team we have played all year,” Larson said. “They will be fast and move the ball quickly. Their counter attack is also something to watch out for.”
Another strength for the Bulldogs has been the back line of Nathan Carey, Daniel Zagoren, Joe Jorgenson, and Konopacki in front of the senior goalie duo of John Faraone and Kevin Fiddelke, who alternate halves.
The Saints have an equally tenacious defense anchored by seniors Ryan Stackhouse, Kyle McLean, Brandon Villanueva and Robert Wolak. Junior Evan DiLeonardi has kept the midfield solid with the help of senior Christian Memije, while Jennison awaits the return to action of Jordan Moore.
Offensively East has been led by Taylor Oritz, Zach Manibog and Tyler Robbins. While the Saints have been the top-rated program, Jennison and company have the memory of being in the same spot last year prior to a Lake Park 1-0 upset in a sectional final.
challenge vs. Batavia
St. Charles East puts unbeaten record on the line
By Steve Nemeth
Batavia’s Tuesday visit to St. Charles East has a lot more at stake than just an early meeting of unbeatens in the Upstate Eight Conference’s River Division.
Yes, both teams are 2-0 in conference, but more notably it’s a showdown between two powerful Top 20 programs that have battled plenty of other top opposition.
St. Charles East enters the home date at 4:30 p.m. (revised start from preseason schedule) looking to improve on an 8-0 record that has included some notable victories. The Saints began the year with a 5-1 road win over a Neuqua Valley team originally listed among the state’s top 10.
More recently, top-ranked East posted a 4-2 win over a fifth-ranked New Trier squad in the Trevians’ Invitational. The Saints claimed that trophy with 2-1 overtime victory over No. 6 Lyons.
“It’s simply been good, old-fashioned hard work,” St. Charles East coach Paul Jennison insisted. “They push themselves to find a way to win. They’re very grounded in practice or matches, an incredible focus on knowing what they want to achieve.”
Batavia – rated No. 14 -- brings a 6-1-1 mark fresh off a second-place showing in the Morton Invitational. The Bulldogs began the year with 381 minutes and 49 seconds of shutout soccer until Naperville North finally ended that streak. The Huskies got a second goal three minutes prior to the final whistle to give Batavia its first loss.
Coach Mark Gianfrancesco’s squad rebounded with a 4-2 triumph over Romeoville to start the Morton Invitational and then posted a 3-1 come-from-behind conquest of defending Class 3A state champion Edwardsville.
Not only was that Edwardsville’s first defeat for 2014, but it also ended a 23-match unbeaten (22-0-1) string for the Tigers. Bulldogs standout Ian Larson scored in the 47th minute for the equalizer and then tallied the match winner in the 70th minute. Davis DiBiase added an insurance goal in the 71st minute.
That led to a title showdown against Rochester. The two sides battled to a 1-1 regulation deadlock before the Potters pulled out a 6-5 penalty kick shootout to decide the trophy for the eight-school event.
“It’s a conference match, so we’re looking for a strong performance to continue our successful start,” Gianfrancesco said. “We know (East) will be well organized and prepared for the match, especially in the areas of set plays and their attack. We need to continue to work on communicatiion to help organize ourselves to continue improving.”
Larson has been incredible on offense registering either a goal or an assist in Batavia’s first seven matches. He has had solid support from fellow seniors Kevin Collins and Nick Konopacki.
“St. Charles East is going to be the toughest team we have played all year,” Larson said. “They will be fast and move the ball quickly. Their counter attack is also something to watch out for.”
Another strength for the Bulldogs has been the back line of Nathan Carey, Daniel Zagoren, Joe Jorgenson, and Konopacki in front of the senior goalie duo of John Faraone and Kevin Fiddelke, who alternate halves.
The Saints have an equally tenacious defense anchored by seniors Ryan Stackhouse, Kyle McLean, Brandon Villanueva and Robert Wolak. Junior Evan DiLeonardi has kept the midfield solid with the help of senior Christian Memije, while Jennison awaits the return to action of Jordan Moore.
Offensively East has been led by Taylor Oritz, Zach Manibog and Tyler Robbins. While the Saints have been the top-rated program, Jennison and company have the memory of being in the same spot last year prior to a Lake Park 1-0 upset in a sectional final.