10-man DG North holds off Prospect for win
Declan Kramer scores 1st and last goals in 4-1 win
By Mike Garofola
MOUNT PROSPECT -- There's a school of thought when you’re playing a man down which says that sometimes it helps to organize a formation far better than with 11 on the pitch.
Downers Grove North may have proven that point when it was forced to play with 10 for the final 35 minutes Saturday afternoon, It defended with all of its might and tactical fortitude to earn a deserved 4-1 victory over host Prospect.
Declan Kramer and Timothy Flavin caused plenty of attacking problems for the Knights (4-6-0) in the first quarter-hour, but it was Downers Grove North's backline and overall defensive posture which proved the difference in this nonconference triumph, which ran North's overall record to 5-2-2.
"The guys were excited and ready to go after having nine days off, but with that there was a case of nerves that went away after we got that first (goal),” North coach Mike Schmitt said.
“We followed with a second (goal) a few minutes later but we had to fight a little harder, after we lost Jack Richards with his second yellow.”
Richards might have been judged harshly when he was booked on a professional foul in the first half. He was sent off for good in the 45th minute following a strange sequence when it appeared that North’s Tyler Cree was hauled down by the Knights’ last man.
While the Trojans’ bench questioned the call, and both teams were setting up for the ensuing free kick, the center referee stopped the clock and likely booked the senior for dissent during what looked to be a mild disagreement.
"When those things happen, it usually takes awhile to get yourself composed and organized, and for us that stoppage of play (to check on the injured Will Thomas) allowed us to take a deep breathe, change our formation, and get everyone where they belonged," Schmitt said.
The Trojans lined up in a 4-4-1, with the lone striker becoming a modest chaser and high-pressure guy. The four in the middle sat back until the Knights possessed to 35 yards out and closer.
"Yes, staying organized after we went down a man was difficult for a few minutes,” said North junior Nick Eshgy, who was named Chicagoland Soccer’s Man of the Match.
“But we also knew our responsibility on defense was to be strong and solid all across the back, be clean when we clear the ball, and to try and keep everything in front of us while not allowing too many scoring opportunities.”
"We had to kind of pick and choose who we would defend and stay organized, just like our defense was asked to do," added Nicholas Charpa, who broke the hearts of the Knights with a magnificent, left-footed upper-90 blast that nestled into the back of the net in the 59th minute, giving the Trojans a 3-1 advantage.
"Even though we scored the first two goals of the game, I thought we had kind of a rocky start, and didn't really begin to play some good soccer until we finally figured out some things and adjusted the way we wanted to attack Prospect.”
The loss for Prospect coach Mike Andrews' men ended what they’d hoped would be a promising week. The difficult stretch ended on a down note.
"It's been tough around here this past week," began Andrews.
"We brought a couple of guys up with us today to give us some fresh legs, but even with that there were times were there was no doubt our legs were altogether heavy.
"With that said, I have a lot of respect for these guys. Even when we were chasing two goals on two separate occasions, I know they were still playing with a lot of pride, despite the disappointing week we just had."
The Knights had a pair of back-to-back days of play over the past six days, losing all four. The results included a heart-breaking 1-0 loss in overtime to Buffalo Grove on Friday at Prospect’s George Gattas Memorial Stadium.
"We came into this week with the plan of going 4-0, then 2-2 when we lost our first two to Wheeling and Barrington,” said Knights defender Tengis Tulga, who played a strong 80 minutes in back Saturday. “So today's defeat is very hard because we went winless in all four of our games.”
Some majestic finishing by the visitors’ Kramper and then Flynn gave North a two-goal advantage just 13 minutes into play.
Kramper was rewarded for being on his front foot from the opening whistle, forcing Knights keeper Frank Cullotta to save his first two attempts, before some careless defending allowed the senior to bag his first of the day at 8 minutes.
It was no fault of Cullotta when Flynn scored five minutes later, when the Knights failed to clear the area after Ramsey Forst and Will Thomas kept things alive to allow Flynn to add to the scoreline.
Cullota was forced to leave with an undisclosed injury in the 20th minute, and the senior was replaced by first team keeper, and captain, Kevin Shane.
Prospect's Javian Whyte, one of two brought up to the varsity for the game, swiftly turned scorer when the senior punished the Trojans for some haphazard play along the back. He scored his first varsity goal at 28 minutes.
"We got a little sloppy when we conceded their goal, but up until then, and after that heading into the break, I thought we created some quality chances, while having most of the run of play at the same time," said Schmitt.
Christopher Bull, who was between the sticks during the first 40 minutes for the Trojans, saved his club from the equalizer just moments after the Knights’ first goal, when a fearless challenge off his line took the ball off the shooting boot of the on-charging Whyte.
Prospect began the second period with plenty of energy and intensity and created consecutive corners, including one that ended with Tulga heading over the bar.
After that, Whyte shed his mark and rattled the bar from 22 yards, but the follow- up shot off the spilled rebound by Alex Predescu was sprayed over and wide.
"Again, there's no give in this team and there never has been, but you could see even when we had that man advantage, there just wasn't a lot left in our legs to take advantage of that opportunity," said Andrews.
The Knights resorted to playing direct as the Trojans’ organized and crowded midfield left few passing lanes available. On a pair of early balls over the top, Patrick Limanowka earned his mates a corner on one, and the second saw Kevin Danner's sharp tackle end the Knights' junior’s chance of putting one on frame.
Charpa's breakthrough arrived when Prospect allowed Flavin and Braeden Gagliano time and space to find their teammate, and when the Trojans’ midfielder unloaded his 22-yarder, Shane had no chance to save it.
Limanowka headed two balls towards the frame, while a well struck corner from Nico Mho went clear through the box during the final five minutes of play.
Further damage occurred two minutes from time, when Gagliano was brought down in the box, allowing Krampers' second goal of the day to be recorded on a 78th minute spot-kick.
"Our attack at times was real intense and after we went down a man, our organization and defensive play was up to the challenge, so it was a good win for us today," Eshghy said.
Next up for North is a nonconference game at home against a very talented Class AA team in Fenton on Tuesday, while the Knights will receive some much-needed time off. Their only action of the week comes when they travel to MSL foe Conant on Friday.
Starting lineups
Downers Grove North (4-4-3 starting formation)
GK- Christopher Bull
D- Will Thomas
D- Ryan Newstrom
D- Nick Eshghy
D- Kevin Danner
M- Jack Richards
M- Declan Kramer
M- Braeden Gagiliano
F- Timothy Flavin
F- Tyler Cree
F- Ramsey Forst
Prospect (4-5-1 starting formation)
GK- Frank Cullota
D- Bryan Morrison
D- Tengis Tulga
D- Daniel LaCost
D- Edmund Conroy
M- Aaron Whiteman
M- Joey Baduch
M- Nico Mho
M- Chris Rubio
M- Sid Gaire
F- Patrick Limanowka
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Nick Eshghy, jr., D, Downers Grove North
Referee: Mike Valamis
Scoring summary
Downers Grove North
Kramper (U/A) 8', Flavin (Thomas, Forst) 13', Charpa (Flavin, Gagliano) 59', Kramper (PK) 78'
Prospect
Whyte (U/A) 28'
Declan Kramer scores 1st and last goals in 4-1 win
By Mike Garofola
MOUNT PROSPECT -- There's a school of thought when you’re playing a man down which says that sometimes it helps to organize a formation far better than with 11 on the pitch.
Downers Grove North may have proven that point when it was forced to play with 10 for the final 35 minutes Saturday afternoon, It defended with all of its might and tactical fortitude to earn a deserved 4-1 victory over host Prospect.
Declan Kramer and Timothy Flavin caused plenty of attacking problems for the Knights (4-6-0) in the first quarter-hour, but it was Downers Grove North's backline and overall defensive posture which proved the difference in this nonconference triumph, which ran North's overall record to 5-2-2.
"The guys were excited and ready to go after having nine days off, but with that there was a case of nerves that went away after we got that first (goal),” North coach Mike Schmitt said.
“We followed with a second (goal) a few minutes later but we had to fight a little harder, after we lost Jack Richards with his second yellow.”
Richards might have been judged harshly when he was booked on a professional foul in the first half. He was sent off for good in the 45th minute following a strange sequence when it appeared that North’s Tyler Cree was hauled down by the Knights’ last man.
While the Trojans’ bench questioned the call, and both teams were setting up for the ensuing free kick, the center referee stopped the clock and likely booked the senior for dissent during what looked to be a mild disagreement.
"When those things happen, it usually takes awhile to get yourself composed and organized, and for us that stoppage of play (to check on the injured Will Thomas) allowed us to take a deep breathe, change our formation, and get everyone where they belonged," Schmitt said.
The Trojans lined up in a 4-4-1, with the lone striker becoming a modest chaser and high-pressure guy. The four in the middle sat back until the Knights possessed to 35 yards out and closer.
"Yes, staying organized after we went down a man was difficult for a few minutes,” said North junior Nick Eshgy, who was named Chicagoland Soccer’s Man of the Match.
“But we also knew our responsibility on defense was to be strong and solid all across the back, be clean when we clear the ball, and to try and keep everything in front of us while not allowing too many scoring opportunities.”
"We had to kind of pick and choose who we would defend and stay organized, just like our defense was asked to do," added Nicholas Charpa, who broke the hearts of the Knights with a magnificent, left-footed upper-90 blast that nestled into the back of the net in the 59th minute, giving the Trojans a 3-1 advantage.
"Even though we scored the first two goals of the game, I thought we had kind of a rocky start, and didn't really begin to play some good soccer until we finally figured out some things and adjusted the way we wanted to attack Prospect.”
The loss for Prospect coach Mike Andrews' men ended what they’d hoped would be a promising week. The difficult stretch ended on a down note.
"It's been tough around here this past week," began Andrews.
"We brought a couple of guys up with us today to give us some fresh legs, but even with that there were times were there was no doubt our legs were altogether heavy.
"With that said, I have a lot of respect for these guys. Even when we were chasing two goals on two separate occasions, I know they were still playing with a lot of pride, despite the disappointing week we just had."
The Knights had a pair of back-to-back days of play over the past six days, losing all four. The results included a heart-breaking 1-0 loss in overtime to Buffalo Grove on Friday at Prospect’s George Gattas Memorial Stadium.
"We came into this week with the plan of going 4-0, then 2-2 when we lost our first two to Wheeling and Barrington,” said Knights defender Tengis Tulga, who played a strong 80 minutes in back Saturday. “So today's defeat is very hard because we went winless in all four of our games.”
Some majestic finishing by the visitors’ Kramper and then Flynn gave North a two-goal advantage just 13 minutes into play.
Kramper was rewarded for being on his front foot from the opening whistle, forcing Knights keeper Frank Cullotta to save his first two attempts, before some careless defending allowed the senior to bag his first of the day at 8 minutes.
It was no fault of Cullotta when Flynn scored five minutes later, when the Knights failed to clear the area after Ramsey Forst and Will Thomas kept things alive to allow Flynn to add to the scoreline.
Cullota was forced to leave with an undisclosed injury in the 20th minute, and the senior was replaced by first team keeper, and captain, Kevin Shane.
Prospect's Javian Whyte, one of two brought up to the varsity for the game, swiftly turned scorer when the senior punished the Trojans for some haphazard play along the back. He scored his first varsity goal at 28 minutes.
"We got a little sloppy when we conceded their goal, but up until then, and after that heading into the break, I thought we created some quality chances, while having most of the run of play at the same time," said Schmitt.
Christopher Bull, who was between the sticks during the first 40 minutes for the Trojans, saved his club from the equalizer just moments after the Knights’ first goal, when a fearless challenge off his line took the ball off the shooting boot of the on-charging Whyte.
Prospect began the second period with plenty of energy and intensity and created consecutive corners, including one that ended with Tulga heading over the bar.
After that, Whyte shed his mark and rattled the bar from 22 yards, but the follow- up shot off the spilled rebound by Alex Predescu was sprayed over and wide.
"Again, there's no give in this team and there never has been, but you could see even when we had that man advantage, there just wasn't a lot left in our legs to take advantage of that opportunity," said Andrews.
The Knights resorted to playing direct as the Trojans’ organized and crowded midfield left few passing lanes available. On a pair of early balls over the top, Patrick Limanowka earned his mates a corner on one, and the second saw Kevin Danner's sharp tackle end the Knights' junior’s chance of putting one on frame.
Charpa's breakthrough arrived when Prospect allowed Flavin and Braeden Gagliano time and space to find their teammate, and when the Trojans’ midfielder unloaded his 22-yarder, Shane had no chance to save it.
Limanowka headed two balls towards the frame, while a well struck corner from Nico Mho went clear through the box during the final five minutes of play.
Further damage occurred two minutes from time, when Gagliano was brought down in the box, allowing Krampers' second goal of the day to be recorded on a 78th minute spot-kick.
"Our attack at times was real intense and after we went down a man, our organization and defensive play was up to the challenge, so it was a good win for us today," Eshghy said.
Next up for North is a nonconference game at home against a very talented Class AA team in Fenton on Tuesday, while the Knights will receive some much-needed time off. Their only action of the week comes when they travel to MSL foe Conant on Friday.
Starting lineups
Downers Grove North (4-4-3 starting formation)
GK- Christopher Bull
D- Will Thomas
D- Ryan Newstrom
D- Nick Eshghy
D- Kevin Danner
M- Jack Richards
M- Declan Kramer
M- Braeden Gagiliano
F- Timothy Flavin
F- Tyler Cree
F- Ramsey Forst
Prospect (4-5-1 starting formation)
GK- Frank Cullota
D- Bryan Morrison
D- Tengis Tulga
D- Daniel LaCost
D- Edmund Conroy
M- Aaron Whiteman
M- Joey Baduch
M- Nico Mho
M- Chris Rubio
M- Sid Gaire
F- Patrick Limanowka
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Nick Eshghy, jr., D, Downers Grove North
Referee: Mike Valamis
Scoring summary
Downers Grove North
Kramper (U/A) 8', Flavin (Thomas, Forst) 13', Charpa (Flavin, Gagliano) 59', Kramper (PK) 78'
Prospect
Whyte (U/A) 28'