Leyden has added incentive
against OPRF in Challenge Cup
By Dave Owen
Mark Valintis’ successful seven-year run as Leyden’s head coach has produced two regional titles and nearly 90 wins.
One elusive goal in that span: beating Oak Park-River Forest, which the Eagles will again attempt to achieve at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the second round of the Leyden Cup at Oak Park Stadium.
The teams played to a 1-1 tie last year, before coach Paul Wright’s Huskies took the tournament title. As sweet as a Leyden win Thursday would be, Valintis has his sights on the bigger picture.
“It really has grown into a special tournament over the years,” Valintis said. “OPRF, Larkin, R-B (Riverside-Brookfield) and Leyden have all had some very good games year in and year out. Each team plays a different style that really tests each other in all aspects of their game.
“I don’t really look too much into win-loss records this tourney,” Valintis added. “It really serves us as a measuring stick on how we stack up against strong teams and what we need to focus on to get better. Certainly we would like to win it, but I hope that each team can walk away from it better prepared for conference.”
Wright has a similar perspective on the early season showcase.
“The Leyden Cup has three really unique (opponents) with different styles of play and allows us to evaluate ourselves against particular styles," Wright said. "And getting games on grass and turf gets us ready for the Pepsi Showdown (in September).”
The Eagles defeated Larkin 1-0 in the tournament’s first round, but the Huskies will look to rebound from a 3-1 loss to Riverside-Brookfield in their Cup opener Tuesday.
“We have one game under our belt, and are looking at the mistakes we made against R-B and trying to improve on them,” Wright said. “We’re a senior-heavy team with a very high work ethic.”
Defenders Mavin Gill and Kirk Svensson, midfielders Noah Fluharty and Harry Engeron and goalkeeper Sam Lisak are among the seniors who played extensive minutes last fall.
“Junior Will Dunne will be in the goal against Leyden,” Wright said. “Sophomore Matt Schiffner has looked nice on the outside. We’re still looking for that starting 11 to gel and work well.”
Leyden answers with its own experienced nucleus.
“Our goalkeeper Alfredo Recendez (eight-save shutout against Larkin) started all our games last year as a sophomore and looks to be solid in the back,” Valintis said. “We return three defenders. Captains Hector Herrera and Cesar Franco played almost every minute for us last year. And Christian Rubio was up on varsity (as a sophomore) but he broke his foot five games into the season.”
Despite Erik Rodriguez’s game-winning goal against Larkin, offense is a question mark.
“We did lose our all-state forward Albert Arabik to Magic Academy, and we have some inexperience up top,” Valintis said. “So it remains to be seen how we will score goals.”
David Senk anchors the midfield in his third varsity season, and senior Christian Sosnowski returns to the roster after playing club soccer last fall. Five varsity newcomers (including sophomores Angel Lopez and Damian Kosakowski) will be asked to contribute heavily.
Many big matches lay ahead for both squads, but Valintis’ last thoughts in previewing the Leyden Cup show that this game has an added significance.
“And maybe this will be the year we finally beat Paul," he said.
against OPRF in Challenge Cup
By Dave Owen
Mark Valintis’ successful seven-year run as Leyden’s head coach has produced two regional titles and nearly 90 wins.
One elusive goal in that span: beating Oak Park-River Forest, which the Eagles will again attempt to achieve at 6:30 p.m. Thursday in the second round of the Leyden Cup at Oak Park Stadium.
The teams played to a 1-1 tie last year, before coach Paul Wright’s Huskies took the tournament title. As sweet as a Leyden win Thursday would be, Valintis has his sights on the bigger picture.
“It really has grown into a special tournament over the years,” Valintis said. “OPRF, Larkin, R-B (Riverside-Brookfield) and Leyden have all had some very good games year in and year out. Each team plays a different style that really tests each other in all aspects of their game.
“I don’t really look too much into win-loss records this tourney,” Valintis added. “It really serves us as a measuring stick on how we stack up against strong teams and what we need to focus on to get better. Certainly we would like to win it, but I hope that each team can walk away from it better prepared for conference.”
Wright has a similar perspective on the early season showcase.
“The Leyden Cup has three really unique (opponents) with different styles of play and allows us to evaluate ourselves against particular styles," Wright said. "And getting games on grass and turf gets us ready for the Pepsi Showdown (in September).”
The Eagles defeated Larkin 1-0 in the tournament’s first round, but the Huskies will look to rebound from a 3-1 loss to Riverside-Brookfield in their Cup opener Tuesday.
“We have one game under our belt, and are looking at the mistakes we made against R-B and trying to improve on them,” Wright said. “We’re a senior-heavy team with a very high work ethic.”
Defenders Mavin Gill and Kirk Svensson, midfielders Noah Fluharty and Harry Engeron and goalkeeper Sam Lisak are among the seniors who played extensive minutes last fall.
“Junior Will Dunne will be in the goal against Leyden,” Wright said. “Sophomore Matt Schiffner has looked nice on the outside. We’re still looking for that starting 11 to gel and work well.”
Leyden answers with its own experienced nucleus.
“Our goalkeeper Alfredo Recendez (eight-save shutout against Larkin) started all our games last year as a sophomore and looks to be solid in the back,” Valintis said. “We return three defenders. Captains Hector Herrera and Cesar Franco played almost every minute for us last year. And Christian Rubio was up on varsity (as a sophomore) but he broke his foot five games into the season.”
Despite Erik Rodriguez’s game-winning goal against Larkin, offense is a question mark.
“We did lose our all-state forward Albert Arabik to Magic Academy, and we have some inexperience up top,” Valintis said. “So it remains to be seen how we will score goals.”
David Senk anchors the midfield in his third varsity season, and senior Christian Sosnowski returns to the roster after playing club soccer last fall. Five varsity newcomers (including sophomores Angel Lopez and Damian Kosakowski) will be asked to contribute heavily.
Many big matches lay ahead for both squads, but Valintis’ last thoughts in previewing the Leyden Cup show that this game has an added significance.
“And maybe this will be the year we finally beat Paul," he said.