Second place at stake
in WSC Gold showdown
Downers Grove South-Leyden match
could become pre-playoff testing ground
By Dave Owen
Second place in the WSC Gold and great playoff preparation will be two rewards Tuesday at Leyden’s west campus in Northlake.
The host Eagles (8-4-3, 3-1 in the Gold) and Downers Grove South (9-1-4, 2-1) face off at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, entering the match with similar conference resumes (shutout losses to first-place Morton) but differing recent emotions.
Leyden enters on a three-game win streak, including a 3-2 victory over Fenton on Saturday that was powered by a Miguel Mireles hat trick.
The Mustangs had their school record-tying 12-game unbeaten streak snapped in a loss at Morton last Tuesday, then saw a 2-0 lead with under 20 minutes left Thursday dissolve into a 2-2 tie with crosstown rival Downers North.
Downers South also tied Fenton 1-1 seven days before the Bison faced Leyden.
“Leyden is always a dangerous team, especially at home,” Mustangs coach Jon Stapleton said. “They are usually very gifted in the attack with players who are very good on the ball.
“It’s going to be imperative that we defend the ball well and remain compact in good supporting positions when they have the ball. We haven’t been playing our best as of late so in order for us to be successful we will need to make sure we are prepared to play a full 80 minutes.”
The two teams have 2-1 wins on opposing fields the last two years, with Leyden winning last year in Downers Grove.
“I know DGS has had a great year, and I would expect a very good game,” Leyden coach Mark Valintis said. “I think both Jon and I look forward to this game as another good test to get us prepared for the playoffs.
“Jon is a first class guy. I have a great respect for him and how he runs his program to consistently be a top team year in and year out.”
Leyden’s level of play has been on the rise of late in an elevator ride season.
“We started hot going 4-1-1,” Valintis said, “then hit a rough patch, and now are on a three-game winning streak.
“During that rough patch we lost to Lane in OT, St. Viator in PKs, and Morton in OT while playing to a tie vs. St Charles North. All were very good teams that really challenged us in different ways, so I think our guys are starting to believe that we can be just as good.”
Leyden last loss was its 1-0 overtime setback to Morton Sept. 23.
“All year our strength has been our solid play in the back,” Valintis said. “Hector Herrera, Cesar Franco and goalkeeper Alfredo Recendez have really worked well together to solidify a strong but young back line.”
The Leyden offense is also clicking of late.
“Christian Sosnowski has been the catalyst in our attacks,” Valintis said, “and recently we have had several guys step up and create goals such as David Senk (six goals this season) Angel Lopez (five goals) and Miguel Mireles with a hat trick on Saturday.”
Leyden will try to test Downers South goalkeeper Sam Dumford and a Mustangs’ defense that has seven shutouts this fall. Eric Diaz and Nick Rohl are Downers South’s top scorers.
With matching, tough losses to Morton behind them, both teams look ahead to Tuesday’s test.
“Now that we’re out of the conference title race, I think we will both look to get guys back healthy, get in some quality minutes against a very strong opponent and continue to evaluate areas of concern,” Valintis said.
Downers South comes off a rare late-game letdown against Downers North in its last match.
“I know our players are excited about the opportunity to get back on track,” Stapleton said, “so hopefully playing a good Leyden team will allow us to play with the kind of focus and intensity we have played with most of the season.”
One eye is on regionals less than two weeks away – Downers South is the No. 4 seed at the Lyons Township sectional, and Leyden is the fifth seed at Niles North.
“(Tuesday) would also be a good time for both teams to face tough situations,” Valintis said, “where the coaches may tactically change formations and styles to get a feel for how their teams would handle the same situation in the playoffs.”
in WSC Gold showdown
Downers Grove South-Leyden match
could become pre-playoff testing ground
By Dave Owen
Second place in the WSC Gold and great playoff preparation will be two rewards Tuesday at Leyden’s west campus in Northlake.
The host Eagles (8-4-3, 3-1 in the Gold) and Downers Grove South (9-1-4, 2-1) face off at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, entering the match with similar conference resumes (shutout losses to first-place Morton) but differing recent emotions.
Leyden enters on a three-game win streak, including a 3-2 victory over Fenton on Saturday that was powered by a Miguel Mireles hat trick.
The Mustangs had their school record-tying 12-game unbeaten streak snapped in a loss at Morton last Tuesday, then saw a 2-0 lead with under 20 minutes left Thursday dissolve into a 2-2 tie with crosstown rival Downers North.
Downers South also tied Fenton 1-1 seven days before the Bison faced Leyden.
“Leyden is always a dangerous team, especially at home,” Mustangs coach Jon Stapleton said. “They are usually very gifted in the attack with players who are very good on the ball.
“It’s going to be imperative that we defend the ball well and remain compact in good supporting positions when they have the ball. We haven’t been playing our best as of late so in order for us to be successful we will need to make sure we are prepared to play a full 80 minutes.”
The two teams have 2-1 wins on opposing fields the last two years, with Leyden winning last year in Downers Grove.
“I know DGS has had a great year, and I would expect a very good game,” Leyden coach Mark Valintis said. “I think both Jon and I look forward to this game as another good test to get us prepared for the playoffs.
“Jon is a first class guy. I have a great respect for him and how he runs his program to consistently be a top team year in and year out.”
Leyden’s level of play has been on the rise of late in an elevator ride season.
“We started hot going 4-1-1,” Valintis said, “then hit a rough patch, and now are on a three-game winning streak.
“During that rough patch we lost to Lane in OT, St. Viator in PKs, and Morton in OT while playing to a tie vs. St Charles North. All were very good teams that really challenged us in different ways, so I think our guys are starting to believe that we can be just as good.”
Leyden last loss was its 1-0 overtime setback to Morton Sept. 23.
“All year our strength has been our solid play in the back,” Valintis said. “Hector Herrera, Cesar Franco and goalkeeper Alfredo Recendez have really worked well together to solidify a strong but young back line.”
The Leyden offense is also clicking of late.
“Christian Sosnowski has been the catalyst in our attacks,” Valintis said, “and recently we have had several guys step up and create goals such as David Senk (six goals this season) Angel Lopez (five goals) and Miguel Mireles with a hat trick on Saturday.”
Leyden will try to test Downers South goalkeeper Sam Dumford and a Mustangs’ defense that has seven shutouts this fall. Eric Diaz and Nick Rohl are Downers South’s top scorers.
With matching, tough losses to Morton behind them, both teams look ahead to Tuesday’s test.
“Now that we’re out of the conference title race, I think we will both look to get guys back healthy, get in some quality minutes against a very strong opponent and continue to evaluate areas of concern,” Valintis said.
Downers South comes off a rare late-game letdown against Downers North in its last match.
“I know our players are excited about the opportunity to get back on track,” Stapleton said, “so hopefully playing a good Leyden team will allow us to play with the kind of focus and intensity we have played with most of the season.”
One eye is on regionals less than two weeks away – Downers South is the No. 4 seed at the Lyons Township sectional, and Leyden is the fifth seed at Niles North.
“(Tuesday) would also be a good time for both teams to face tough situations,” Valintis said, “where the coaches may tactically change formations and styles to get a feel for how their teams would handle the same situation in the playoffs.”