Schauer's fiery defensive play
a boon for Wheaton North
By Bob Narang
Wheaton North's Kyle Schauer is a humble kid. The senior defender downplayed his role in his team’s victory over city rival Wheaton Warrenville South on March 23.
Down to 10 players because of a red card on their goalie, the Falcons not only held off the visiting Tigers but pulled away for a thrilling 4-2 DuKane Conference win on March 23 in the first leg of the Wheaton Cup.
“It was a tie game at 1-1. The first thing is we’ve now got 10 guys, and they got 11; so we have to figure out how to stay in this game at this point,” Schauer said. “The win was a testament to the resiliency of the team; we were really able to step up. It was definitely, you look around, see that the guys might be a little defeated at that time. As a leader of my team, I had to provide an emotional stability but also a fire at that point, because we still had a chance to win it.”
Wheaton North coach Robert Stassen had an additional insight on Schauer’s unsung role in the emotional victory.
“When our goalkeeper gets a straight red card, our backup goalkeeper gets scored on in like 35 seconds,” Stassen said. “You can imagine the fear going into backline with 20 minutes to play. But Kyle singlehandedly became our backline and goalkeeper. He took over the defense and rallied everyone. Within three minutes, we were up 3-1. That all started with the energy in the back.
“Kyle doesn’t need any words, which is great. He looked over at the bench, gave a nod to a couple of people, and that was it. The whole team jumped on that energy.”
Schauer, a Wheaton College recruit, hopes the victory over the Tigers will serve as a springboard as his team starts play in its second batch of league matches. The team's paly each conference foe twice this season due to coronavirus pandemic scheduling.
“It was huge,” he said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been more excited after a win. It’s my senior year against the crosstown rival -- just the way we won and were able to pull out a win under terrible (weather) situations. Our big goal is to win conference. We know we have to step up.”
The defense plans to continue its solid play. The Falcons have posted two shutouts this season and allowed six goals.
Wheaton North will need to play top-notch soccer the rest of the way and get some help from its league-mates in the ultra-competitive DuKane Conference to reach its aim. The Falcons get a chance for revenge with league-leader St. Charles North at home on April 1; they lost to the North Stars 2-1 in the second game of the season March 11.
Schauer said he’s relishing being a captain on the Falcons (3-1-2 overall and in DKC play through March 25). He’s a natural on the backline, mainly due to a protective nature that dates back to his younger days.
“My dad likes to tell this story, when I played soccer when I was five or six years old,” he said. “While all the other kids were going for the goals, I would hang back to make sure the other team didn’t score. That’s kind of how I’m built. I don’t want to let the other team score.”
Wheaton North senior forward Jarrett Baumgartner, who scored a brace in the Wheaton Warrenville South win, said he’s played with Schauer for many years. He said the seniors have waited for this season for their entire lives.
“Kyle’s always been such a good defender,” Baumgartner said, “but I think that one of the things that makes him so good is how smart he’s on and off the ballfd combined with his speed. He’s always getting to balls and running down players and somehow comes out on the winning side.”
Naturally, Stassen is fond of Schauer’s ability to be a leader and veteran presence on the Falcons.
“Kyle’s a great leader on the team, on and off the field,” he said. “He’s played freshmen and junior varsity before getting on the varsity. He didn’t skip a beat. We had a fantastic backline in his freshman year. He didn’t get overwhelmed and soaked up everything those defenders taught him which helped him turn into the player who he is today.
“He’s such a coachable kid. He plays hard and with a smile on his face. He has so much fun. He has speed to track down players, and you can even see him smile through his mask.”
The Falcons common goal is to make the best out of their season. They want to provide great memories for the seniors, especially with the lack of a state tournament in the shortened spring season.
Wheaton North was especially motivated for a long playoff run after hosting a 2019 Class 3A regional and getting upset by Glenbard North in a semifinal. The loss cost Wheaton North its shot at eventual state champion West Chicago in the final.
"This team is special, because we've all played together for so long," Baumartner said. "With no playoffs this year, the only goal we have is to win the conference, but it would be an added bonus if we beat Wheaton Warrenville South again."
a boon for Wheaton North
By Bob Narang
Wheaton North's Kyle Schauer is a humble kid. The senior defender downplayed his role in his team’s victory over city rival Wheaton Warrenville South on March 23.
Down to 10 players because of a red card on their goalie, the Falcons not only held off the visiting Tigers but pulled away for a thrilling 4-2 DuKane Conference win on March 23 in the first leg of the Wheaton Cup.
“It was a tie game at 1-1. The first thing is we’ve now got 10 guys, and they got 11; so we have to figure out how to stay in this game at this point,” Schauer said. “The win was a testament to the resiliency of the team; we were really able to step up. It was definitely, you look around, see that the guys might be a little defeated at that time. As a leader of my team, I had to provide an emotional stability but also a fire at that point, because we still had a chance to win it.”
Wheaton North coach Robert Stassen had an additional insight on Schauer’s unsung role in the emotional victory.
“When our goalkeeper gets a straight red card, our backup goalkeeper gets scored on in like 35 seconds,” Stassen said. “You can imagine the fear going into backline with 20 minutes to play. But Kyle singlehandedly became our backline and goalkeeper. He took over the defense and rallied everyone. Within three minutes, we were up 3-1. That all started with the energy in the back.
“Kyle doesn’t need any words, which is great. He looked over at the bench, gave a nod to a couple of people, and that was it. The whole team jumped on that energy.”
Schauer, a Wheaton College recruit, hopes the victory over the Tigers will serve as a springboard as his team starts play in its second batch of league matches. The team's paly each conference foe twice this season due to coronavirus pandemic scheduling.
“It was huge,” he said. “I don’t know if I’ve ever been more excited after a win. It’s my senior year against the crosstown rival -- just the way we won and were able to pull out a win under terrible (weather) situations. Our big goal is to win conference. We know we have to step up.”
The defense plans to continue its solid play. The Falcons have posted two shutouts this season and allowed six goals.
Wheaton North will need to play top-notch soccer the rest of the way and get some help from its league-mates in the ultra-competitive DuKane Conference to reach its aim. The Falcons get a chance for revenge with league-leader St. Charles North at home on April 1; they lost to the North Stars 2-1 in the second game of the season March 11.
Schauer said he’s relishing being a captain on the Falcons (3-1-2 overall and in DKC play through March 25). He’s a natural on the backline, mainly due to a protective nature that dates back to his younger days.
“My dad likes to tell this story, when I played soccer when I was five or six years old,” he said. “While all the other kids were going for the goals, I would hang back to make sure the other team didn’t score. That’s kind of how I’m built. I don’t want to let the other team score.”
Wheaton North senior forward Jarrett Baumgartner, who scored a brace in the Wheaton Warrenville South win, said he’s played with Schauer for many years. He said the seniors have waited for this season for their entire lives.
“Kyle’s always been such a good defender,” Baumgartner said, “but I think that one of the things that makes him so good is how smart he’s on and off the ballfd combined with his speed. He’s always getting to balls and running down players and somehow comes out on the winning side.”
Naturally, Stassen is fond of Schauer’s ability to be a leader and veteran presence on the Falcons.
“Kyle’s a great leader on the team, on and off the field,” he said. “He’s played freshmen and junior varsity before getting on the varsity. He didn’t skip a beat. We had a fantastic backline in his freshman year. He didn’t get overwhelmed and soaked up everything those defenders taught him which helped him turn into the player who he is today.
“He’s such a coachable kid. He plays hard and with a smile on his face. He has so much fun. He has speed to track down players, and you can even see him smile through his mask.”
The Falcons common goal is to make the best out of their season. They want to provide great memories for the seniors, especially with the lack of a state tournament in the shortened spring season.
Wheaton North was especially motivated for a long playoff run after hosting a 2019 Class 3A regional and getting upset by Glenbard North in a semifinal. The loss cost Wheaton North its shot at eventual state champion West Chicago in the final.
"This team is special, because we've all played together for so long," Baumartner said. "With no playoffs this year, the only goal we have is to win the conference, but it would be an added bonus if we beat Wheaton Warrenville South again."