Ross hat trick leads Neuqua Valley
over Batavia for UEC crown
Wildcats snap Batavia's 15-match unbeaten string
By Steve Nemeth
BATAVIA – Both Ryan Ross and Neuqua Valley found their offensive rhythms in a big way thanks to Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over Batavia in the Upstate Eight Conference’s championship game.
Coach Skip Begley was obviously hoping his Neuqua Valley crew could avoid heading into IHSA post-season play with a three-match losing streak, especially after the last two defeats – both shutout setbacks -- ended an eight-match win streak.
Not only did the Wildcats (13-7) – ranked No. 11 in a recent newspaper poll – upset No. 3-rated Batavia (16-2-3), but the conquest ended the Bulldogs’ 15-match unbeaten string (12-0-3).
Although Batavia clearly would not want to dwell on the defeat, the start of playoffs looming six days ahead meant both teams were already refocusing.
“If” – and come tournament time it’s always a big “if” – both programs can get past their respective first round foes, a rematch could shrink the significance of Wednesday’s outcome.
“We're looking at this as the last game of the regular season and we know we've got bigger aspirations,” Batavia coach Mark Gianfrancesco said. “Having had a quality season, playing well and kind of rolling through so many games, maybe it did seem easy, so now we've got that bitter pill to help us refocus.”
Neuqua Valley put the Bulldogs in the trailing position only 4:36 into the match. Reed Kurtenbach’s team-best sixth assist of the year enabled Ross to bury a 16-yarder from the left wing inside the far right post. It was the start of Ross becoming the runaway winner of a chicagolandsoccer.org Man of the Match accolade for the second time this season.
Physical plays at opposite ends had the respective fans in the stands both calling for penalty kicks but the margin stayed the same until 19:15 was left before halftime. That’s when Xavi Ortiz played a ball forward which allowed Ross to virtually mirror his initial goal, the second instead coming from the right wing and sailing inside the far left post.
Batavia went on the offensive and with 16:52 remaining, the Wildcats’ Max Plesh made a major defensive clear standing in front of the goal line. Within three minutes, Ian Larsen’s head flick led to a collision between the Bulldogs’ Luke Laurich and Neuqua Valley’s out-rushing goalie Brady Moody. Before Laurich could get to the loose ball for a chance at an empty net, the Wildcats cleared the ball again.
Batavia first half keeper Kevin Fiddelke stopped an Ortiz direct kick ahead of a final Bulldog attack which saw Davis DiBiase blast a shot off the field goal portion of the combined soccer-football goalpost.
“We’d never been down 2-0 and didn’t do enough to get out of that hole,” Batavia senior Kevin Collins said after the very first time this year the Bulldogs yielded three goals. “Lately, we’ve been a little lackadaisical at times, and they took advantage of that.”
Originally scheduled for Tuesday, the meeting of the Valley and River Division winners was postponed after torrential downpours led both coaches and the officiating crew to decide the field was unplayable. Although minus the previous day's rain and puddles of various depth, the muddy field made footing an adventure and frustrated players.
Batavia was convinced a long shot caromed off the lower crossbar portion of the soccer-football structure. A red card issued to Joe Jorgenson meant the Bulldogs had to play final 29:53 short handed.
Neuqua Valley capitalized with 23:45 to play when Ortiz earned his second assist of the night and fourth of the year with a well-placed forward pass which enabled Ross to chalk up his second hat trick of the season and increase his team-bests for goals and (18) and game-winners (six).
“A hat trick is nice, but I couldn't have done it without my teammates. The best part is going into the playoffs with a big win over a great team like Batavia,” Ross said. “Winning the UEC championship makes it all more special.”
Historically, it was the second time in his career that Ross got the better of the Bulldogs. As a sophomore, he set up an initial goal 12 minutes into the match and scored in the 19th minute of a 3-0 Wildcat win in 2012.
Batavia standout Larson tried igniting a comeback with a long blast that Moody made a one-handed tip save to give the Bulldogs a corner kick.
Then it was second-half Bulldog goalie John Faraone making a variety of saves, blocks or punches to keep Neuqua Valley from adding to its advantage. With 15 minutes to go, Faraone had consecutive stops that would’ve earned “Big save” exclamations from Blackhawks announcer Pat Foley.
“This was definitely a big game for us,” Kurtenbach added. “We wanted to go into this match strong and keep to our game plan from start to finish. This was more indicative of the way we play.”
Prior to road losses to Waubonsie Valley and No. 1-ranked Morton, the Wildcats string of success included going undefeated for three matches in the Gateway City Soccer Classic.
“In addition to the good competition with teams from nine or 10 states, that was a good team experience for us,” Begley said. “It helps in terms of team bonding. Aside from using all 22 kids tonight, the idea was to let them play.
“Sometimes you’re a better coach the less you interject. We have schemes and concepts, but you also need to let them figure it out, let them take the joystick and take control. The view on the field can be a lot different than from the bench,” Begley added. “This time of the year it can be a little like the Stanley Cup. If somebody gets hot scoring like Ryan, and you’ve got a good goalie -- and Moody’s been pretty good for us -- you allow them to lead you.”
The only thing missing for the Wildcats was a potential 10th shutout.
Batavia, which had whitewashed 12 foes during the year, avoided a shutout setback with 6:57 left to be played. Brandon Knapp, who had a goal earlier in the year, registered his initial assist via a stellar cross that fellow reserve Charlie Marston was able to finish from seven yards out. That was Marston’s first goal.
It was only the third game that the Bulldogs’ Larson didn’t chalk up either a goal or assist.
“Things simply didn’t seem to click for us tonight right from the start,” Larson admitted. “The field conditions were tough for both teams, we just didn’t come out strong enough mentally. They wanted it more and we didn’t pressure the ball near enough. All we can do now is refocus.”
Both teams are assigned to the Metea Valley Regional within the 19-team Class 3A Bolingbrook Sectional. On Oct. 21st, two-seed Batavia has a 4:30 p.m. semifinal against the winner of the Oct. 18 prelim pitting 18 seed Plainfield Central at 15 seed Plainfield East. The follow-up 6:30 p.m. semifinal has seven seed Neuqua Valley meeting host and nine seed Metea Valley.
Staring lineups
Neuqua Valley
G Brady Moody
D Jacob Graham
D Max Plesh
D Jack Schoonenberg
D Joel Algrem
M Reed Kurtenbach
M Xavi Ortiz
M Austin Flatt
F Mike Moser
F Ryan Ross
F Kas Baladi
Batavia
G Kevin Fiddelke
D Nick Konopacki
D Alec Hindel
D Joe Jorgenson
D Mason Parlatore
M Jacob Rakos
M Adam Heinz
M Kevin Collins
MBrandon Yunker
F Josh Vilchuck
F Ian Larson
Man of the Match: Ryan Ross, Neuqua Valley.
Referees: Victor Herrera, Carlos Herrera Jr., Jim Spangler
over Batavia for UEC crown
Wildcats snap Batavia's 15-match unbeaten string
By Steve Nemeth
BATAVIA – Both Ryan Ross and Neuqua Valley found their offensive rhythms in a big way thanks to Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over Batavia in the Upstate Eight Conference’s championship game.
Coach Skip Begley was obviously hoping his Neuqua Valley crew could avoid heading into IHSA post-season play with a three-match losing streak, especially after the last two defeats – both shutout setbacks -- ended an eight-match win streak.
Not only did the Wildcats (13-7) – ranked No. 11 in a recent newspaper poll – upset No. 3-rated Batavia (16-2-3), but the conquest ended the Bulldogs’ 15-match unbeaten string (12-0-3).
Although Batavia clearly would not want to dwell on the defeat, the start of playoffs looming six days ahead meant both teams were already refocusing.
“If” – and come tournament time it’s always a big “if” – both programs can get past their respective first round foes, a rematch could shrink the significance of Wednesday’s outcome.
“We're looking at this as the last game of the regular season and we know we've got bigger aspirations,” Batavia coach Mark Gianfrancesco said. “Having had a quality season, playing well and kind of rolling through so many games, maybe it did seem easy, so now we've got that bitter pill to help us refocus.”
Neuqua Valley put the Bulldogs in the trailing position only 4:36 into the match. Reed Kurtenbach’s team-best sixth assist of the year enabled Ross to bury a 16-yarder from the left wing inside the far right post. It was the start of Ross becoming the runaway winner of a chicagolandsoccer.org Man of the Match accolade for the second time this season.
Physical plays at opposite ends had the respective fans in the stands both calling for penalty kicks but the margin stayed the same until 19:15 was left before halftime. That’s when Xavi Ortiz played a ball forward which allowed Ross to virtually mirror his initial goal, the second instead coming from the right wing and sailing inside the far left post.
Batavia went on the offensive and with 16:52 remaining, the Wildcats’ Max Plesh made a major defensive clear standing in front of the goal line. Within three minutes, Ian Larsen’s head flick led to a collision between the Bulldogs’ Luke Laurich and Neuqua Valley’s out-rushing goalie Brady Moody. Before Laurich could get to the loose ball for a chance at an empty net, the Wildcats cleared the ball again.
Batavia first half keeper Kevin Fiddelke stopped an Ortiz direct kick ahead of a final Bulldog attack which saw Davis DiBiase blast a shot off the field goal portion of the combined soccer-football goalpost.
“We’d never been down 2-0 and didn’t do enough to get out of that hole,” Batavia senior Kevin Collins said after the very first time this year the Bulldogs yielded three goals. “Lately, we’ve been a little lackadaisical at times, and they took advantage of that.”
Originally scheduled for Tuesday, the meeting of the Valley and River Division winners was postponed after torrential downpours led both coaches and the officiating crew to decide the field was unplayable. Although minus the previous day's rain and puddles of various depth, the muddy field made footing an adventure and frustrated players.
Batavia was convinced a long shot caromed off the lower crossbar portion of the soccer-football structure. A red card issued to Joe Jorgenson meant the Bulldogs had to play final 29:53 short handed.
Neuqua Valley capitalized with 23:45 to play when Ortiz earned his second assist of the night and fourth of the year with a well-placed forward pass which enabled Ross to chalk up his second hat trick of the season and increase his team-bests for goals and (18) and game-winners (six).
“A hat trick is nice, but I couldn't have done it without my teammates. The best part is going into the playoffs with a big win over a great team like Batavia,” Ross said. “Winning the UEC championship makes it all more special.”
Historically, it was the second time in his career that Ross got the better of the Bulldogs. As a sophomore, he set up an initial goal 12 minutes into the match and scored in the 19th minute of a 3-0 Wildcat win in 2012.
Batavia standout Larson tried igniting a comeback with a long blast that Moody made a one-handed tip save to give the Bulldogs a corner kick.
Then it was second-half Bulldog goalie John Faraone making a variety of saves, blocks or punches to keep Neuqua Valley from adding to its advantage. With 15 minutes to go, Faraone had consecutive stops that would’ve earned “Big save” exclamations from Blackhawks announcer Pat Foley.
“This was definitely a big game for us,” Kurtenbach added. “We wanted to go into this match strong and keep to our game plan from start to finish. This was more indicative of the way we play.”
Prior to road losses to Waubonsie Valley and No. 1-ranked Morton, the Wildcats string of success included going undefeated for three matches in the Gateway City Soccer Classic.
“In addition to the good competition with teams from nine or 10 states, that was a good team experience for us,” Begley said. “It helps in terms of team bonding. Aside from using all 22 kids tonight, the idea was to let them play.
“Sometimes you’re a better coach the less you interject. We have schemes and concepts, but you also need to let them figure it out, let them take the joystick and take control. The view on the field can be a lot different than from the bench,” Begley added. “This time of the year it can be a little like the Stanley Cup. If somebody gets hot scoring like Ryan, and you’ve got a good goalie -- and Moody’s been pretty good for us -- you allow them to lead you.”
The only thing missing for the Wildcats was a potential 10th shutout.
Batavia, which had whitewashed 12 foes during the year, avoided a shutout setback with 6:57 left to be played. Brandon Knapp, who had a goal earlier in the year, registered his initial assist via a stellar cross that fellow reserve Charlie Marston was able to finish from seven yards out. That was Marston’s first goal.
It was only the third game that the Bulldogs’ Larson didn’t chalk up either a goal or assist.
“Things simply didn’t seem to click for us tonight right from the start,” Larson admitted. “The field conditions were tough for both teams, we just didn’t come out strong enough mentally. They wanted it more and we didn’t pressure the ball near enough. All we can do now is refocus.”
Both teams are assigned to the Metea Valley Regional within the 19-team Class 3A Bolingbrook Sectional. On Oct. 21st, two-seed Batavia has a 4:30 p.m. semifinal against the winner of the Oct. 18 prelim pitting 18 seed Plainfield Central at 15 seed Plainfield East. The follow-up 6:30 p.m. semifinal has seven seed Neuqua Valley meeting host and nine seed Metea Valley.
Staring lineups
Neuqua Valley
G Brady Moody
D Jacob Graham
D Max Plesh
D Jack Schoonenberg
D Joel Algrem
M Reed Kurtenbach
M Xavi Ortiz
M Austin Flatt
F Mike Moser
F Ryan Ross
F Kas Baladi
Batavia
G Kevin Fiddelke
D Nick Konopacki
D Alec Hindel
D Joe Jorgenson
D Mason Parlatore
M Jacob Rakos
M Adam Heinz
M Kevin Collins
MBrandon Yunker
F Josh Vilchuck
F Ian Larson
Man of the Match: Ryan Ross, Neuqua Valley.
Referees: Victor Herrera, Carlos Herrera Jr., Jim Spangler