Bartlett, Batavia equally eager for opener
By Steve Nemeth
Practice may make perfect, but anticipation definitely makes adrenaline.
It's not surprising then that everyone associated with the season-opening Batavia at Bartlett contest – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday (Aug. 26) at Streamwood’s Millenium Field -- sounds so similar.
“We’re all excited to play, since we’ve been training hard and going up against ourselves gets old,” Batavia’s Ian Larson noted.
“You can work on formations, set pieces and other plays, however, doing all that against another team is how you really learn what works, and that’s why we’re very excited for this first game,” Bartlett’s Zane Kaiser added. “You establish a start point and can set the tone for the rest of the season. Ideally you start learning from game one and never stop improving.”
The coaches were on the same page.
“Game one is a chance to see our chemistry and ability to execute, but more important to us, is to show the improvement we’ve made,” Bartlett coach Ben Beary said about the Hawks, who want to make last year’s 5-13-3 mark ancient history. “Batavia is a quality side and we’re aware of the talent they have, but our initial focus is on us.”
Added Batavia coach Mark Gianfrancesco: “Getting to finally play gives a chance to better assess where people are as individuals and to see if we’re moving in the right direction as a team.”
The Bulldogs have three-of-their-four All-UEC honorees back in Larson, Nick Konopacki, and Kevin Collins. The team core this year includes Adam Heinz, Joe Jorgenson, Brandon Yunker, and Nathan Carey, along with keeper John Faraone, who split net duties in 2013.
As an Upstate Eight Conference crossover match, both sides know the outcome won’t affect even their league standing. Last year the Hawks finished 2-4 in the Valley Division while Batavia posted a 5-1 mark to finish second in the River Division. The Bulldogs were 16-4-2 overall.
Everyone agrees last year’s 4-1 Bulldog win over Bartlett has no bearing on the opener.
“Every team is different from year to year; kids step up, there’s development you didn’t account for, plus newcomers. It’s a fresh start,” Gianfrancesco added. “I know we won, but I can’t even recall the final score.”
Larson echoed his coach. “I think we’re a totally different team,” he said. “We’ve got a new group of guys, and we’ve all been getting to know each other. This match is a chance to see how we’ve done in terms of developing chemistry.”
From Bartlett’s perspective, Kaiser isn’t concerned if any opponent views the Hawks based on the past.
“Perhaps our (old) record might make someone feel more comfortable, but we’re a much more experienced and well-rounded team,” Kaiser said. “The competition we’re seeing just for playing time tells we’re going to have some talented players coming off the bench.”
Both of Bartlett’s All-UEC selections – A.J. Santori and Andrew Gott – head up the Hawks’ nucleus which includes Kaiser, Igor Zwada, and Marcus Singleton with a boost from newcomer Saul Espinosa.
By Steve Nemeth
Practice may make perfect, but anticipation definitely makes adrenaline.
It's not surprising then that everyone associated with the season-opening Batavia at Bartlett contest – 6:30 p.m. Tuesday (Aug. 26) at Streamwood’s Millenium Field -- sounds so similar.
“We’re all excited to play, since we’ve been training hard and going up against ourselves gets old,” Batavia’s Ian Larson noted.
“You can work on formations, set pieces and other plays, however, doing all that against another team is how you really learn what works, and that’s why we’re very excited for this first game,” Bartlett’s Zane Kaiser added. “You establish a start point and can set the tone for the rest of the season. Ideally you start learning from game one and never stop improving.”
The coaches were on the same page.
“Game one is a chance to see our chemistry and ability to execute, but more important to us, is to show the improvement we’ve made,” Bartlett coach Ben Beary said about the Hawks, who want to make last year’s 5-13-3 mark ancient history. “Batavia is a quality side and we’re aware of the talent they have, but our initial focus is on us.”
Added Batavia coach Mark Gianfrancesco: “Getting to finally play gives a chance to better assess where people are as individuals and to see if we’re moving in the right direction as a team.”
The Bulldogs have three-of-their-four All-UEC honorees back in Larson, Nick Konopacki, and Kevin Collins. The team core this year includes Adam Heinz, Joe Jorgenson, Brandon Yunker, and Nathan Carey, along with keeper John Faraone, who split net duties in 2013.
As an Upstate Eight Conference crossover match, both sides know the outcome won’t affect even their league standing. Last year the Hawks finished 2-4 in the Valley Division while Batavia posted a 5-1 mark to finish second in the River Division. The Bulldogs were 16-4-2 overall.
Everyone agrees last year’s 4-1 Bulldog win over Bartlett has no bearing on the opener.
“Every team is different from year to year; kids step up, there’s development you didn’t account for, plus newcomers. It’s a fresh start,” Gianfrancesco added. “I know we won, but I can’t even recall the final score.”
Larson echoed his coach. “I think we’re a totally different team,” he said. “We’ve got a new group of guys, and we’ve all been getting to know each other. This match is a chance to see how we’ve done in terms of developing chemistry.”
From Bartlett’s perspective, Kaiser isn’t concerned if any opponent views the Hawks based on the past.
“Perhaps our (old) record might make someone feel more comfortable, but we’re a much more experienced and well-rounded team,” Kaiser said. “The competition we’re seeing just for playing time tells we’re going to have some talented players coming off the bench.”
Both of Bartlett’s All-UEC selections – A.J. Santori and Andrew Gott – head up the Hawks’ nucleus which includes Kaiser, Igor Zwada, and Marcus Singleton with a boost from newcomer Saul Espinosa.