Injury, Glenbard South set pieces
combine to frustrate St. Francis in 2-0 loss
Enright throw-ins power Glenbard South (11-5)
By Dave Owen
GLEN ELLYN -- Bad timing and bad luck combined to work against St. Francis on Saturday at Glenbard South.
With standout goalkeeper Jonathan Burke sidelined by injury, the host Raiders rolling with a 9-2-0 record in their last 11 games, and a strange bounce from the soccer gods St. Francis fell 2-0.
Glenbard South (12-5) scored off nice set pieces in the first 10 minutes of each half for the victory over St. Francis (7-8-4).
“We let one go early so we were chasing the whole game,” Spartans’ coach Kevin Ward said. “So we kind of pulled out of what we like to do. Today wasn’t really indicative of a regular game we would have, but it is what it is.”
Freshman Ryan Scharf filled in ably for Burke, teaming with defender David Johnson to deflect an 8-yard shot by Ben MinCungLian wide of the net two minutes in.
“We were scared at the start of the game (without Burke),” Spartans’ junior Nick Roehl said, “but our backup came in, did what he could and kept us in it.”
But high-powered throw-ins by Glenbard South’s Chris Enright proved to be a major weapon to combat.
Scharf was able to swat the first long throw out of the crease, but Enright’s second try with 30:38 left in the first half paid off for the Raiders.
The throw deflected to the far post, where Mike Dimoula (just into the game as a substitute) lined a shot into the net for a 1-0 lead.
The game’s other goal was a virtual replay. Enright launched another strong throw-in into the crease with 32:13 left in the game, where Jon Gutierrez headed it into the net to make the score 2-0.
“It’s kind of a thing that I’ve taken on the last couple of years,” Enright said of his throw-in prowess. “You don’t have to be the biggest or strongest guy to get it there. It’s really just all in the way you do it.
“We set up some different things to get some finishes, because it’s just as deadly as a corner kick, and we have to capitalize on those more coming up in the playoffs.”
While the Raiders finished those great chances, the Spartans had no luck with a pair of equally big first-half threats.
The best came 21:35 before halftime, a transition chance initiated when Scharf punched a Raider corner kick cross well upfield.
The ultimate recipient in on right wing was Roehl, whose 10-yard shot from right of the net hit the left post and somehow bounced straight down and back across the crease without crossing the goal line.
“Karma wasn’t with us,” Ward said.
Joey Wood had two shots on goal in the first seven minutes of play, including a low 30-yard shot that Raider goalkeeper Keaton Tennhouse made a diving save on.
But it was his strong throw-in 4:40 before halftime that produced the best chance. The toss bounded across the crease to Matt Martin, whose 6-yard try for a tying goal was blocked by defender Lucas Sampson at the goal line.
“I thought we had that,” Wood said. “On those throw-ins I just try to get it in there. It seems like there’s always someone there, and we can’t get it in, but we played well. They’re a big school compared to us. I think we could have got a win, but it is what it is.”
Added Roehl: “We just didn’t put them away. We weren’t lucky today. We had a couple chances early, but then we got flustered. But we’re going to work on that for next game.”
That next game will be the start of a two-game series of sorts: the Spartans host Illinois Math and Science Academy in Tuesday’s regular season finale, then open regionals against the same foe.
“Our first one will be Senior Night, so that’ll be fun,” Wood said. “I’m looking forward to that game with friends I’ve been playing with for the last four years. Then three days later we come right back (against IMSA).”
Roehl thinks the double-header will put the Spartans in a good place,
“I think we’re going to build a lot of momentum with our two games against IMSA,” Roehl said, “and then we’re looking forward to Wheaton Academy (in the regional second round). Sometimes we get a little off and have off days, but if we play the way we can I think we’ll have a chance.”
While Saturday’s result wasn’t the late season lift the Spartans needed, the last 30 minutes provided some positives.
The Raiders had the majority of threats in their 2-0 win, but St. Francis produced a flurry of three chances in six minutes midway through the second half.
With 21:25 left, Wood intercepted a clearing attempt of his own throw-in and had his deflected shot denied on a diving save.
Two minutes later, Wood dribbled past two defenders to the end line before being denied. Then with 15:50 to go, a nice combination of passes from Ian Hart and Roehl sprung Brian Cochrane for an open 18-yard shot just over the net.
The Spartans’ defense and Scharf became stronger as the game went on. Scharf raced off his line to cover a loose ball on a Raiders’ attack with 14:30 left in the first half, and Keenan Corrigan and David Gianos had nice defensive end steals late in that half.
Glenbard South coach T.J. King recognized the good work put in by St. Francis.
“I don’t think we played a great game today,” Glenbard South coach T.J. King said. “We’re used to playing with a lot more possession of the ball, but St. Francis did a nice job of pressuring us and taking us out of our game a little bit.
“We capitalized on some set pieces, which we put a lot of time in working on yesterday. We had a lot more chances to finish, but credit to St. Francis for playing good defense and keeping us out of the net more.”
Scharf closed the day with two saves in the final four minutes, the first on a Dom Fazzari header off a corner kick. The Spartans’ offense also had a late chance when Hart was fouled in the corner with 6:25 left. Corrigan’s ensuing free kick cross from left of the goal was headed wide by Wood.
Being able to respond to adversity will be one focus going forward for St. Francis.
“It’s just keeping our heads in the game and never giving up,” Wood said, “because when we get down a goal we just have to keep going, keep playing our game and doing what we need to do and can’t let that get to us.”
Saturday’s win gave Glenbard South a 10-2 record in its last dozen games.
“The most important thing at this time of the season is getting the result,” King said, “and getting into that mind frame as you enter the playoffs of doing whatever it takes to win.”
Starting lineups
St. Francis
GK- Ryan Scharf
D- David Johnson
D- Colin Scharf
D- Matthew Martin
D- Brian Cochrane
M- Keenan Corrigan
M- Nick Roehl
M- Ethan Grosam
M- David Gianos
F- Joey Wood
F- Carney Herard
Glenbard South
GK- Keaton Tennhouse
D- Barry Livingston
D- Tomas Eisman
D- Lucas Sampson
D- Neil Livingston
M- Chris Enright
M- Joe Jennings
M- Connor Livingston
M- Jon Gutierrez
F- Ben MinCungLian
F- Matt Waters
Man of the Match: Chris Enright, MF, Glenbard South
combine to frustrate St. Francis in 2-0 loss
Enright throw-ins power Glenbard South (11-5)
By Dave Owen
GLEN ELLYN -- Bad timing and bad luck combined to work against St. Francis on Saturday at Glenbard South.
With standout goalkeeper Jonathan Burke sidelined by injury, the host Raiders rolling with a 9-2-0 record in their last 11 games, and a strange bounce from the soccer gods St. Francis fell 2-0.
Glenbard South (12-5) scored off nice set pieces in the first 10 minutes of each half for the victory over St. Francis (7-8-4).
“We let one go early so we were chasing the whole game,” Spartans’ coach Kevin Ward said. “So we kind of pulled out of what we like to do. Today wasn’t really indicative of a regular game we would have, but it is what it is.”
Freshman Ryan Scharf filled in ably for Burke, teaming with defender David Johnson to deflect an 8-yard shot by Ben MinCungLian wide of the net two minutes in.
“We were scared at the start of the game (without Burke),” Spartans’ junior Nick Roehl said, “but our backup came in, did what he could and kept us in it.”
But high-powered throw-ins by Glenbard South’s Chris Enright proved to be a major weapon to combat.
Scharf was able to swat the first long throw out of the crease, but Enright’s second try with 30:38 left in the first half paid off for the Raiders.
The throw deflected to the far post, where Mike Dimoula (just into the game as a substitute) lined a shot into the net for a 1-0 lead.
The game’s other goal was a virtual replay. Enright launched another strong throw-in into the crease with 32:13 left in the game, where Jon Gutierrez headed it into the net to make the score 2-0.
“It’s kind of a thing that I’ve taken on the last couple of years,” Enright said of his throw-in prowess. “You don’t have to be the biggest or strongest guy to get it there. It’s really just all in the way you do it.
“We set up some different things to get some finishes, because it’s just as deadly as a corner kick, and we have to capitalize on those more coming up in the playoffs.”
While the Raiders finished those great chances, the Spartans had no luck with a pair of equally big first-half threats.
The best came 21:35 before halftime, a transition chance initiated when Scharf punched a Raider corner kick cross well upfield.
The ultimate recipient in on right wing was Roehl, whose 10-yard shot from right of the net hit the left post and somehow bounced straight down and back across the crease without crossing the goal line.
“Karma wasn’t with us,” Ward said.
Joey Wood had two shots on goal in the first seven minutes of play, including a low 30-yard shot that Raider goalkeeper Keaton Tennhouse made a diving save on.
But it was his strong throw-in 4:40 before halftime that produced the best chance. The toss bounded across the crease to Matt Martin, whose 6-yard try for a tying goal was blocked by defender Lucas Sampson at the goal line.
“I thought we had that,” Wood said. “On those throw-ins I just try to get it in there. It seems like there’s always someone there, and we can’t get it in, but we played well. They’re a big school compared to us. I think we could have got a win, but it is what it is.”
Added Roehl: “We just didn’t put them away. We weren’t lucky today. We had a couple chances early, but then we got flustered. But we’re going to work on that for next game.”
That next game will be the start of a two-game series of sorts: the Spartans host Illinois Math and Science Academy in Tuesday’s regular season finale, then open regionals against the same foe.
“Our first one will be Senior Night, so that’ll be fun,” Wood said. “I’m looking forward to that game with friends I’ve been playing with for the last four years. Then three days later we come right back (against IMSA).”
Roehl thinks the double-header will put the Spartans in a good place,
“I think we’re going to build a lot of momentum with our two games against IMSA,” Roehl said, “and then we’re looking forward to Wheaton Academy (in the regional second round). Sometimes we get a little off and have off days, but if we play the way we can I think we’ll have a chance.”
While Saturday’s result wasn’t the late season lift the Spartans needed, the last 30 minutes provided some positives.
The Raiders had the majority of threats in their 2-0 win, but St. Francis produced a flurry of three chances in six minutes midway through the second half.
With 21:25 left, Wood intercepted a clearing attempt of his own throw-in and had his deflected shot denied on a diving save.
Two minutes later, Wood dribbled past two defenders to the end line before being denied. Then with 15:50 to go, a nice combination of passes from Ian Hart and Roehl sprung Brian Cochrane for an open 18-yard shot just over the net.
The Spartans’ defense and Scharf became stronger as the game went on. Scharf raced off his line to cover a loose ball on a Raiders’ attack with 14:30 left in the first half, and Keenan Corrigan and David Gianos had nice defensive end steals late in that half.
Glenbard South coach T.J. King recognized the good work put in by St. Francis.
“I don’t think we played a great game today,” Glenbard South coach T.J. King said. “We’re used to playing with a lot more possession of the ball, but St. Francis did a nice job of pressuring us and taking us out of our game a little bit.
“We capitalized on some set pieces, which we put a lot of time in working on yesterday. We had a lot more chances to finish, but credit to St. Francis for playing good defense and keeping us out of the net more.”
Scharf closed the day with two saves in the final four minutes, the first on a Dom Fazzari header off a corner kick. The Spartans’ offense also had a late chance when Hart was fouled in the corner with 6:25 left. Corrigan’s ensuing free kick cross from left of the goal was headed wide by Wood.
Being able to respond to adversity will be one focus going forward for St. Francis.
“It’s just keeping our heads in the game and never giving up,” Wood said, “because when we get down a goal we just have to keep going, keep playing our game and doing what we need to do and can’t let that get to us.”
Saturday’s win gave Glenbard South a 10-2 record in its last dozen games.
“The most important thing at this time of the season is getting the result,” King said, “and getting into that mind frame as you enter the playoffs of doing whatever it takes to win.”
Starting lineups
St. Francis
GK- Ryan Scharf
D- David Johnson
D- Colin Scharf
D- Matthew Martin
D- Brian Cochrane
M- Keenan Corrigan
M- Nick Roehl
M- Ethan Grosam
M- David Gianos
F- Joey Wood
F- Carney Herard
Glenbard South
GK- Keaton Tennhouse
D- Barry Livingston
D- Tomas Eisman
D- Lucas Sampson
D- Neil Livingston
M- Chris Enright
M- Joe Jennings
M- Connor Livingston
M- Jon Gutierrez
F- Ben MinCungLian
F- Matt Waters
Man of the Match: Chris Enright, MF, Glenbard South