Downers Grove South
+ Morton = solid gold soccer
Tuesday tilt has huge conference ramifications
By Dave Owen
Downers Grove South and Morton have a long history of top quality head-to-head showdowns.
With both squads rolling through 2014 with near-perfect records, Tuesday’s 7 p.m. match at Morton West in Berwyn could be extra special.
Morton (14-1-2) began its weekend on a down note when a loss to West Chicago on Friday ended a 15-game unbeaten streak. But a win on penalty kicks over Lyons Township in Sunday’s Pepsi Showdown title match sent Morton’s emotions and momentum right back through the roof.
That win was just a prelude to the next test: Tuesday’s showdown will almost certainly determine the West Suburban Conference Gold Division championship.
Downers Grove South enters with a 9-0-3 record and a shutdown defense that has allowed just five goals in 12 matches this fall. But the Mustangs know Tuesday will be a huge test.
“Morton always presents a great challenge for us,” Downers Grove South coach Jon Stapleton said. “They have very creative players on the ball and exceptional quickness in the midfield and attack.”
Recent history backs up the test Morton has provided.
Downers South defeated Morton on penalty kicks in 2009, but Morton is 5-0-1 in the six matchups since then. Besides a 1-1 tie, four others have been decided by one goal (including three in overtime or on PKs). Morton won 1-0 in the last meeting on Oct. 1, 2013. In Morton's 2011 state title season, they needed overtime to edge Downers Grove South 1-0.
History aside, Downers South hopes to grab control of the 2014 WSC Gold title race Tuesday by relying on its specialty: defense.
“We’re going to have to be sound defensively -– remain disciplined, compact and we'll have to track their runs effectively,” Stapleton said. “They are a team that doesn’t beat themselves, so when opportunities present themselves in the attack we have to be able to capitalize.”
Eric Diaz leads Downers Grove South with nine goals, and scored off a Nick Rohl assist in Saturday’s 1-1 tie against Fenton.
Defender Matt Buczko suffered an apparent broken finger Saturday, and both he and midfielder Peter Fish are questionable for the Morton match.
Defender Ryan Strelau remains out with a shoulder injury, but goalkeeper Sam Dumford and the Mustangs’ defense has excelled through every test: Saturday’s goal was the only one allowed in the last four games, and no opponent has scored more than once on Downers South all year.
Now comes 2014’s biggest game yet for both sides.
“Both programs have great respect for one another, so it’s usually a hard-fought and well-played game,” Stapleton said. “We’re looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to see how we measure up.”
+ Morton = solid gold soccer
Tuesday tilt has huge conference ramifications
By Dave Owen
Downers Grove South and Morton have a long history of top quality head-to-head showdowns.
With both squads rolling through 2014 with near-perfect records, Tuesday’s 7 p.m. match at Morton West in Berwyn could be extra special.
Morton (14-1-2) began its weekend on a down note when a loss to West Chicago on Friday ended a 15-game unbeaten streak. But a win on penalty kicks over Lyons Township in Sunday’s Pepsi Showdown title match sent Morton’s emotions and momentum right back through the roof.
That win was just a prelude to the next test: Tuesday’s showdown will almost certainly determine the West Suburban Conference Gold Division championship.
Downers Grove South enters with a 9-0-3 record and a shutdown defense that has allowed just five goals in 12 matches this fall. But the Mustangs know Tuesday will be a huge test.
“Morton always presents a great challenge for us,” Downers Grove South coach Jon Stapleton said. “They have very creative players on the ball and exceptional quickness in the midfield and attack.”
Recent history backs up the test Morton has provided.
Downers South defeated Morton on penalty kicks in 2009, but Morton is 5-0-1 in the six matchups since then. Besides a 1-1 tie, four others have been decided by one goal (including three in overtime or on PKs). Morton won 1-0 in the last meeting on Oct. 1, 2013. In Morton's 2011 state title season, they needed overtime to edge Downers Grove South 1-0.
History aside, Downers South hopes to grab control of the 2014 WSC Gold title race Tuesday by relying on its specialty: defense.
“We’re going to have to be sound defensively -– remain disciplined, compact and we'll have to track their runs effectively,” Stapleton said. “They are a team that doesn’t beat themselves, so when opportunities present themselves in the attack we have to be able to capitalize.”
Eric Diaz leads Downers Grove South with nine goals, and scored off a Nick Rohl assist in Saturday’s 1-1 tie against Fenton.
Defender Matt Buczko suffered an apparent broken finger Saturday, and both he and midfielder Peter Fish are questionable for the Morton match.
Defender Ryan Strelau remains out with a shoulder injury, but goalkeeper Sam Dumford and the Mustangs’ defense has excelled through every test: Saturday’s goal was the only one allowed in the last four games, and no opponent has scored more than once on Downers South all year.
Now comes 2014’s biggest game yet for both sides.
“Both programs have great respect for one another, so it’s usually a hard-fought and well-played game,” Stapleton said. “We’re looking forward to the challenge and the opportunity to see how we measure up.”