Elk Grove looks to keep
rolling against Jacobs
By Derek Wolff
Home sweet home has been anything but for Jacobs this season.
With four games in Algonquin already under its belt and a 1-3-0 record to show for its efforts, the Golden Eagles will travel for the first time this season and meet Elk Grove in a 10 a.m. Saturday morning nonconference fixture.
The Grenadiers (2-1-1) will look to make it three wins in seven days after back-to-back victories in nonconference games Saturday and Tuesday. The hosts have had a good offense thus far, scoring six times, but have conceded four goals.
Keeping the ball out of its own net has been problematic for Jacobs. Thus far they have surrendered 10 goals over four games.
However, six of those 10 goals have come with less than 15 minutes remaining in games. Coach A.J. Cappello cited youth and inexperience at the back end but said that if the team can play a full 80-minute game to their capabilities the results will start to change.
“We played a good game against Prospect until the final 15 minutes of the game,” Cappello said of the 2-1 loss that opened the season Aug. 28. “If we hold on to that game maybe we play differently going into the weekend. As the season wears on we will clean up some of the tactical errors. This should lead to a better understanding on how to close out and win a game.”
It should be noted that Jacobs played its quartet of games in less than 48 hours. In its tournament, the Golden Eagles played at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 29 (a 2-0 loss to Streamwood), and at 9 a.m. (a win on penalty kicks versus Harvard) and 11 a.m. (4-1 loss to Kaneland) on Aug. 30.
With Elk Grove in the midst of a four-game home stand and Jacobs traveling for the first time this season, the tilt could be seen as a trap game.
Elk Grove Coach Rob Shepard said that every game could be interpreted that way and was hopeful that playing at home has enabled his side to fall into a routine.
“Jacobs is well coached, and hopefully we can absorb whatever pressure they throw at us as we continue to come together as a team,” Shepard said. “Hopefully we have our routines and approaches down by now so that we can be focused on playing at a high level.”
Both sides come into Saturday’s affair well rested. Jacobs hasn’t played since it was handed a stinging 4-1 loss at home by Kaneland last Saturday.
Elk Grove’s last match came against Von Stueben on Tuesday, a convincing 2-0 win for the hosts.
Elk Grove dominated last season’s matchup between the pair, winning 5-0 on the road, but Shepard said the turnover between then and now makes tomorrow a brand new ballgame.
“We lost 13 seniors from that team and four of the goals were scored by those who graduated,” he said. “There isn't a lot of similarity. That being said, my guys are hungry to prove they belong at the varsity level and earn quality minutes. I'm expecting a lot of energy out of the guys.”
rolling against Jacobs
By Derek Wolff
Home sweet home has been anything but for Jacobs this season.
With four games in Algonquin already under its belt and a 1-3-0 record to show for its efforts, the Golden Eagles will travel for the first time this season and meet Elk Grove in a 10 a.m. Saturday morning nonconference fixture.
The Grenadiers (2-1-1) will look to make it three wins in seven days after back-to-back victories in nonconference games Saturday and Tuesday. The hosts have had a good offense thus far, scoring six times, but have conceded four goals.
Keeping the ball out of its own net has been problematic for Jacobs. Thus far they have surrendered 10 goals over four games.
However, six of those 10 goals have come with less than 15 minutes remaining in games. Coach A.J. Cappello cited youth and inexperience at the back end but said that if the team can play a full 80-minute game to their capabilities the results will start to change.
“We played a good game against Prospect until the final 15 minutes of the game,” Cappello said of the 2-1 loss that opened the season Aug. 28. “If we hold on to that game maybe we play differently going into the weekend. As the season wears on we will clean up some of the tactical errors. This should lead to a better understanding on how to close out and win a game.”
It should be noted that Jacobs played its quartet of games in less than 48 hours. In its tournament, the Golden Eagles played at 4:30 p.m. Aug. 29 (a 2-0 loss to Streamwood), and at 9 a.m. (a win on penalty kicks versus Harvard) and 11 a.m. (4-1 loss to Kaneland) on Aug. 30.
With Elk Grove in the midst of a four-game home stand and Jacobs traveling for the first time this season, the tilt could be seen as a trap game.
Elk Grove Coach Rob Shepard said that every game could be interpreted that way and was hopeful that playing at home has enabled his side to fall into a routine.
“Jacobs is well coached, and hopefully we can absorb whatever pressure they throw at us as we continue to come together as a team,” Shepard said. “Hopefully we have our routines and approaches down by now so that we can be focused on playing at a high level.”
Both sides come into Saturday’s affair well rested. Jacobs hasn’t played since it was handed a stinging 4-1 loss at home by Kaneland last Saturday.
Elk Grove’s last match came against Von Stueben on Tuesday, a convincing 2-0 win for the hosts.
Elk Grove dominated last season’s matchup between the pair, winning 5-0 on the road, but Shepard said the turnover between then and now makes tomorrow a brand new ballgame.
“We lost 13 seniors from that team and four of the goals were scored by those who graduated,” he said. “There isn't a lot of similarity. That being said, my guys are hungry to prove they belong at the varsity level and earn quality minutes. I'm expecting a lot of energy out of the guys.”