St. Francis, Glenbard South
enter Saturday on a roll
Spartans have the hot keeper, while Raiders bank on versatility
By Dave Owen
Closing out a much-improved regular season, St. Francis faces its next challenge with a noon match Saturday at surging Glenbard South.
The Raiders (11-5) have won nine of their last 11 games, including a 4-1 win Thursday at Plainfield Central.
But the Spartans (7-7-4) roll in with their own momentum from a 4-0 win at Bishop McNamara.
“We've surpassed last year’s win total,” St. Francis coach Kevin Ward said. “We’ve been very competitive in almost every match this season, playing with some talented 3A squads, including a tie against Geneva on Oct. 4.”
That 0-0 draw was one of many strong games this fall by goalkeeper Jonathan Burke. The junior had 17 saves against Geneva. Then Burke teamed with Ryan Scharf on Thursday's shutout.
Joey Wood had two goals and an assist Thursday to lead St. Francis scorers, but the Spartans’ play has been a team effort.
“There has not been one individual standout player as we come down the stretch,” Ward said. “That’s been the reason for our improved play. If the group continues to pull together and play well together, we should end the year on a solid note.”
Glenbard South will present a challenge.
“I've been very happy with the way the team has played recently,” Raiders’ coach T.J. King said. “We had a difficult beginning to the season. As a new coach, it took some time to identify our strengths and weaknesses as a team and put together a plan.
“I give this group a lot of credit. I’ve asked certain guys to play different positions or roles than they’re used to for the betterment of the team, and they’ve all done it with little resistance.”
Center defender Jonny Gutierrez and center midfielders Conor Livingston and Chris Enright are what King calls the “backbone of our team,” but there have been other standouts.
“I believe our biggest strength is that we are a true team,” King said. “Our scoring has been pretty spread out, with different guys stepping up at different times. We share the ball really well.”
The Raiders (No. 3 seed) and Spartans (No. 4) share spots in next week’s Class 2A St. Francis regional, which becomes the focus of attention after Saturday’s Wheaton-Glen Ellyn neighborhood showdown.
“Traditionally St. Francis is a very strong team,” King said. “It’s a game I know our players have been looking forward to, and I anticipate it will be a great match.”
enter Saturday on a roll
Spartans have the hot keeper, while Raiders bank on versatility
By Dave Owen
Closing out a much-improved regular season, St. Francis faces its next challenge with a noon match Saturday at surging Glenbard South.
The Raiders (11-5) have won nine of their last 11 games, including a 4-1 win Thursday at Plainfield Central.
But the Spartans (7-7-4) roll in with their own momentum from a 4-0 win at Bishop McNamara.
“We've surpassed last year’s win total,” St. Francis coach Kevin Ward said. “We’ve been very competitive in almost every match this season, playing with some talented 3A squads, including a tie against Geneva on Oct. 4.”
That 0-0 draw was one of many strong games this fall by goalkeeper Jonathan Burke. The junior had 17 saves against Geneva. Then Burke teamed with Ryan Scharf on Thursday's shutout.
Joey Wood had two goals and an assist Thursday to lead St. Francis scorers, but the Spartans’ play has been a team effort.
“There has not been one individual standout player as we come down the stretch,” Ward said. “That’s been the reason for our improved play. If the group continues to pull together and play well together, we should end the year on a solid note.”
Glenbard South will present a challenge.
“I've been very happy with the way the team has played recently,” Raiders’ coach T.J. King said. “We had a difficult beginning to the season. As a new coach, it took some time to identify our strengths and weaknesses as a team and put together a plan.
“I give this group a lot of credit. I’ve asked certain guys to play different positions or roles than they’re used to for the betterment of the team, and they’ve all done it with little resistance.”
Center defender Jonny Gutierrez and center midfielders Conor Livingston and Chris Enright are what King calls the “backbone of our team,” but there have been other standouts.
“I believe our biggest strength is that we are a true team,” King said. “Our scoring has been pretty spread out, with different guys stepping up at different times. We share the ball really well.”
The Raiders (No. 3 seed) and Spartans (No. 4) share spots in next week’s Class 2A St. Francis regional, which becomes the focus of attention after Saturday’s Wheaton-Glen Ellyn neighborhood showdown.
“Traditionally St. Francis is a very strong team,” King said. “It’s a game I know our players have been looking forward to, and I anticipate it will be a great match.”