Elk Grove, Rolling Meadows seek to reverse course in MSL East battle
By Ken Keenan
When Rolling Meadows entertains Elk Grove in Mid-Suburban League action at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, both clubs will be looking to halt losing streaks.
The Mustangs (5-4, 2-1), who opened the 2014 season with three-straight wins en route to a 5-2-0 start, were topped by Fremd 3-1 Tuesday. That outcome followed a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Crystal Lake South three days earlier.
Rolling Meadows' first two losses came to Top 10-ranked Lyons and New Trier in the New Trier tournament. Currently the Mustangs sit three points behind leader Buffalo Grove in the MSL standings.
After winning three games in a row, Elk Grove (3-4-1, 0-4-0) has dropped three straight which include Tuesday's 1-0 setback against Schaumburg and losses to Wheeling (3-1, Sept. 11) and Barrington (2-1, Sept. 9).
The hosts are a senior-laden bunch and will honor the Class of 2015 with Senior Night festivities. Chief contributors among the Mustangs seniors are forward/midfielder Sal D'Acquisto (team-high six goals), center back Enrique Avellaneda, attacking midfielder Kou Glaser, forward/midfielder David Zarate, defender A.J. Aluquin, and defensive midfielders Brett Gibson and Andy Rueger.
"A lot of these kids have played together a number of years, not just in high school but in park district and club, too," Meadows head coach Peter Mikulak said. "And some of these guys have played on varsity for three years -- and some as freshmen -- so I hope they enjoy the moment.
"With a senior-heavy team, you look for their leadership, and second, when we get in some situations, you look for them not to panic. But we're still searching to fine tune the way we play."
Mikulak referred to his crew's slow start in some matches, which left the Mustangs chasing the opposition in the second half.
"We haven't always played a full 80 minutes," he said. "Against Fremd, we created some scoring opportunities in the second half, but not so much in the first half. If the other team comes out fast, we have to try to do the same."
Aside from the seniors, sophomore goalkeeper Marc Quezada has been stellar, posting five shutouts so far this year. Juniors Jake Koutas, a forward, and defender Benny Masi were cited by Mikulak for strong play as well.
In contemplating the match with Elk Grove, Mikulak said that history indicates it will likely be a low-scoring, competitive affair.
"Every game in our conference, each team comes out with an opportunity to win, and then there's the emotional aspect of it," he said. "A strong start could be a key, depending on how Elk Grove plays."
Grenadiers head coach Rob Shepard said that playing against Meadows on Senior Night "will be no easy task. They are extremely talented, and well coached, and will test us in our execution.
"In terms of us winning, we have to be able to neutralize their speed and their free services into open space. We must challenge them all over the field to make them uncomfortable. Our back line will be tested with their speed, and we will all be tested with tending to our individual responsibilities.
"Also, in the final third, we must do a much better job of creating chances that we actually take, as opposed to the extra passes. Being opportunistic will be important. Our underclassmen will have to be ready to step up to the challenge of a senior-heavy team."
Shepard pointed to senior keeper Alberto Centeno, senior midfielder Ivan Corona, junior forward/midfielder Edgar Soto and senior defender Dan Hadler as Grenadiers who have stepped up in recent matches.
"The biggest thing we preach is guys understanding their roles and fulfilling their responsibilities, and all of these young men have been doing that," Shepard said.
By Ken Keenan
When Rolling Meadows entertains Elk Grove in Mid-Suburban League action at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, both clubs will be looking to halt losing streaks.
The Mustangs (5-4, 2-1), who opened the 2014 season with three-straight wins en route to a 5-2-0 start, were topped by Fremd 3-1 Tuesday. That outcome followed a 3-0 defeat at the hands of Crystal Lake South three days earlier.
Rolling Meadows' first two losses came to Top 10-ranked Lyons and New Trier in the New Trier tournament. Currently the Mustangs sit three points behind leader Buffalo Grove in the MSL standings.
After winning three games in a row, Elk Grove (3-4-1, 0-4-0) has dropped three straight which include Tuesday's 1-0 setback against Schaumburg and losses to Wheeling (3-1, Sept. 11) and Barrington (2-1, Sept. 9).
The hosts are a senior-laden bunch and will honor the Class of 2015 with Senior Night festivities. Chief contributors among the Mustangs seniors are forward/midfielder Sal D'Acquisto (team-high six goals), center back Enrique Avellaneda, attacking midfielder Kou Glaser, forward/midfielder David Zarate, defender A.J. Aluquin, and defensive midfielders Brett Gibson and Andy Rueger.
"A lot of these kids have played together a number of years, not just in high school but in park district and club, too," Meadows head coach Peter Mikulak said. "And some of these guys have played on varsity for three years -- and some as freshmen -- so I hope they enjoy the moment.
"With a senior-heavy team, you look for their leadership, and second, when we get in some situations, you look for them not to panic. But we're still searching to fine tune the way we play."
Mikulak referred to his crew's slow start in some matches, which left the Mustangs chasing the opposition in the second half.
"We haven't always played a full 80 minutes," he said. "Against Fremd, we created some scoring opportunities in the second half, but not so much in the first half. If the other team comes out fast, we have to try to do the same."
Aside from the seniors, sophomore goalkeeper Marc Quezada has been stellar, posting five shutouts so far this year. Juniors Jake Koutas, a forward, and defender Benny Masi were cited by Mikulak for strong play as well.
In contemplating the match with Elk Grove, Mikulak said that history indicates it will likely be a low-scoring, competitive affair.
"Every game in our conference, each team comes out with an opportunity to win, and then there's the emotional aspect of it," he said. "A strong start could be a key, depending on how Elk Grove plays."
Grenadiers head coach Rob Shepard said that playing against Meadows on Senior Night "will be no easy task. They are extremely talented, and well coached, and will test us in our execution.
"In terms of us winning, we have to be able to neutralize their speed and their free services into open space. We must challenge them all over the field to make them uncomfortable. Our back line will be tested with their speed, and we will all be tested with tending to our individual responsibilities.
"Also, in the final third, we must do a much better job of creating chances that we actually take, as opposed to the extra passes. Being opportunistic will be important. Our underclassmen will have to be ready to step up to the challenge of a senior-heavy team."
Shepard pointed to senior keeper Alberto Centeno, senior midfielder Ivan Corona, junior forward/midfielder Edgar Soto and senior defender Dan Hadler as Grenadiers who have stepped up in recent matches.
"The biggest thing we preach is guys understanding their roles and fulfilling their responsibilities, and all of these young men have been doing that," Shepard said.