Plainfield South prepared for
tough battle against Naperville Central
By Steve Nemeth
Plainfield South coach Dave Brown is too wise to believe that scoring quickly or first will be the only factors that determine the winner of his team's 6:30 p.m. Thursday visit to Naperville Central.
That’s not to say he wouldn’t mind an encore to the start of the Cougars’ season-opening 4-1 road win at Lincoln-Way Central.
Plainfield South (1-0) scored nine minutes into the match en route and scored all their goals in the first half. A late Lincoln-Way Central goal prevented a shutout.
Things probably won't be that easy against Naperville Central.
“We know they’re perennial contenders not just to get to state, but to win it,” Brown said. “That’s where we want to be.”
In its opener, Naperville Central (0-0-1) tied perennial powerhouse Morton 1-1. The Redhawks scored six minutes in, but surrendered a goal with five minutes.
“Obviously we wanted a win, but for a first match we played pretty well,” said senior defender Nick Coon.
Graduation losses are a concern Naperville Central, which finished third in Class 3A last year after runner-up finishes in its two previous campaigns.
“There were a number of things we did well and against a team as strong as Morton, those positives can become our strength,” coach Troy Adams said. “Our defensive intensity, when on, is a big plus. Offensively we had good shots on goal and created enough chances. Our seniors took control, but allowed the younger ones to get the feel of play.
“Sean Flading showed he’s as good a 1-v-1 defender as there is, and Daniel Poole did well in what I consider a step-up role.”
Noah Canlas had no trouble getting on the same page with Jordi Heeneman againt Morton. He found the senior in stride for the early Redhawk strike.
Plainfield South began its way to the win over Lincoln-Way Central when Anthony Hernandez worked a give-and-go with Michael Decker. Then came scores off corner kicks thanks to finishes by Parker Gallt and Rey Uriostegui. Ben Graunke accounted for the fourth goal.
“We hadn’t scored on them in two years, so we said that we would score in the first 10 minutes as a team, and we did that,” Gallt said. “The chemistry on this team is as good as it’s ever been, and we’re tight since we’re always together.”
South defender Eric Fischer’s view after the match was concise: “This gives us something to try to keep up with for the rest of the season.”
Added Brown: “Our success Monday came from a total group effort, which I liked as coach. We do not have that one go-to player yet. I hope he shows up, but for now it has to be that collective group effort."
In last year’s season-opener for both teams, the Redhawks posted a 2-0 triumph. Third-year starter Heeneman will likely be a marked man after scoring both goals against the Cougars.
Naperville Central plans to build on its opening match.
“We’ll look to further develop our chemistry throughout the field.” Coon said.
tough battle against Naperville Central
By Steve Nemeth
Plainfield South coach Dave Brown is too wise to believe that scoring quickly or first will be the only factors that determine the winner of his team's 6:30 p.m. Thursday visit to Naperville Central.
That’s not to say he wouldn’t mind an encore to the start of the Cougars’ season-opening 4-1 road win at Lincoln-Way Central.
Plainfield South (1-0) scored nine minutes into the match en route and scored all their goals in the first half. A late Lincoln-Way Central goal prevented a shutout.
Things probably won't be that easy against Naperville Central.
“We know they’re perennial contenders not just to get to state, but to win it,” Brown said. “That’s where we want to be.”
In its opener, Naperville Central (0-0-1) tied perennial powerhouse Morton 1-1. The Redhawks scored six minutes in, but surrendered a goal with five minutes.
“Obviously we wanted a win, but for a first match we played pretty well,” said senior defender Nick Coon.
Graduation losses are a concern Naperville Central, which finished third in Class 3A last year after runner-up finishes in its two previous campaigns.
“There were a number of things we did well and against a team as strong as Morton, those positives can become our strength,” coach Troy Adams said. “Our defensive intensity, when on, is a big plus. Offensively we had good shots on goal and created enough chances. Our seniors took control, but allowed the younger ones to get the feel of play.
“Sean Flading showed he’s as good a 1-v-1 defender as there is, and Daniel Poole did well in what I consider a step-up role.”
Noah Canlas had no trouble getting on the same page with Jordi Heeneman againt Morton. He found the senior in stride for the early Redhawk strike.
Plainfield South began its way to the win over Lincoln-Way Central when Anthony Hernandez worked a give-and-go with Michael Decker. Then came scores off corner kicks thanks to finishes by Parker Gallt and Rey Uriostegui. Ben Graunke accounted for the fourth goal.
“We hadn’t scored on them in two years, so we said that we would score in the first 10 minutes as a team, and we did that,” Gallt said. “The chemistry on this team is as good as it’s ever been, and we’re tight since we’re always together.”
South defender Eric Fischer’s view after the match was concise: “This gives us something to try to keep up with for the rest of the season.”
Added Brown: “Our success Monday came from a total group effort, which I liked as coach. We do not have that one go-to player yet. I hope he shows up, but for now it has to be that collective group effort."
In last year’s season-opener for both teams, the Redhawks posted a 2-0 triumph. Third-year starter Heeneman will likely be a marked man after scoring both goals against the Cougars.
Naperville Central plans to build on its opening match.
“We’ll look to further develop our chemistry throughout the field.” Coon said.