Bartlett, DGN show fight in 1-1 draw
Each side hopes for breakthrough in playoffs
By Dave Owen
DOWNERS GROVE - The will to fight through adversity is what every coach looks for from his team, especially before entering the playoffs.
With that said, Downers Grove North’s Sam Scacco and Bartlett’s Brandon Palid offered pretty good examples of perseverance Thursday.
On the Trojans’ Senior Night and the regular season finale for both teams, Scacco continued his recovery from a grisly preseason knee injury with a new highlight – his first goal of 2018.
Then with just 7:34 left and Bartlett down 1-0, Palid used hustle to turn a unlikely scoring chance on a rolling send into the box into a putaway that produced the match’s eventual 1-1 draw.
The result left both sides tied together in another way: with matching 6-10-5 records; and with a mix of happiness with their play and disappointment with settling for a draw.
“It seems kind of the theme we’ve had this season,” Trojans coach Mike Schmitt said. “We play well, get a lead and then we give it away late in the game. Then we try to sneak it out at the end.”
Bartlett co-head coach Vince Revak had similar mixed emotions.
“Positive and negative, like any game that doesn’t end up a win,” Revak said. “The good news is, the boys are playing hard every game now. They realize it’s now or never. I know 1-1 is probably harsh on them and North’s score line, because we both had a ton of opportunities.
“They (the Trojans) have a talented team. They haven’t been getting results this year, kind of like us. It’s kind of a common theme for us.
“I talked to coach Schmitt and he said ‘I’m not surprised by that result,’” Revak added. “And neither was I, because last game we also gave up a PK on a hand ball. And he said all year they couldn’t hold a lead. It (the tie) was almost destiny at this point.”
Scacco’s big role in the regular season finale hardly seemed like destiny in August.
“In tryouts I dislocated my kneecap, so I missed a couple months,” Scacco said. “I’m just getting back into the swing of things, this is maybe four or five (games played).
“It’s been a rough ride this season. I was hoping senior year to have a big impact on the team, but I’ll do what I can to help and hopefully we can get it done in the playoffs.”
Just under six minutes into the second half, Braeden Gagliano’s end line cross found Scacco in front for a 6-yard high header that was blocked by a Bartlett defender’s hand.
“I saw the cross coming in and waited out,” Scacco said, “took a chance with the header, and I really didn’t see what happened.
“I heard the reaction and heard ‘Hand ball,’ and said ‘Alright, it’s my time to step up and take the penalty.’ It was an exciting moment.”
And exciting not just for him.
“It’s so crazy that he’s actually back,” Schmitt said. “I think Day 3 in preseason his kneecap was on the side of his knee. It was something I’d never seen before, and based on that I didn’t think he was going to be playing at all this season.
“He kept reassuring me after a couple weeks of PT (physical therapy), and sure enough he came back within just over a month. And he’s been playing well.
“He gets good minutes on the field, and it’s like he never got hurt,” Schmitt added. “If you didn’t see that brace, you’d never know something happened to him. It’s good to have him back and really good to have him recover quickly.
“He would have probably scored in the run of play had the hand ball not happened, and then he put it (the PK) away, which is good for his confidence and good for the team.”
That goal seemed as if it would stand up, as the Trojans kept up the pressure.
Quality chances followed with 23:05 left, Bartlett goalkeeper Jeremy Taylor’s diving deflection of a Ramsey Forst 28-yard shot stopped one, and with 21:50 to go a sustained push in and around the box ended with Sam Bull’s 20-yarder just over the net.
Meanwhile, the DGN defense continued to withstand every Bartlett bid.
After producing four Matt Tobin free kicks in the first 12 minutes of the half, the Hawks continued to apply heat on set pieces.
With 14:05 to go, Tobin’s 38-yard free kick barely eluded a rushing Austin Cichon at the end line. Then with eight minutes to play, an Omar Chavez cross to the crease was denied by a nice header block and long clear by defender Adam Kukielski.
But just 26 seconds later, a Bartlett send from midfield that seemed harmless ended with Palid’s third goal of the season.
Hustling in against a defender for the rolling send, Palid nicely fought the odds to get a touch on the ball near the crease and touch the ball inside the near post.
“I saw it (the ball) coming, and I didn’t have an angle, so I just tried to curl it around with my right foot,” Palid said. “And it went in.”
Great extra effort for Bartlett caused great pain for DGN.
“Overall I thought we played great,” Trojans senior defender Nick Eshghy said. “Just that small mistake. The rest of the game we played well. Just small mistakes like that create big problems.”
“Today we tried to play our game, but it wasn’t on point to where we should be. Just small mistakes like that (on the goal) create big problems. But overall I thought we played great. Just that small mistake. The rest of the game we played well.”
Said Schmitt: “It was a pretty even game I felt, but it’s one of those things that we just can’t seem to manage a game in the final 10 minutes, and we give up a late goal.
“One lapse, one breakdown late and that’s it. It’s a little frustrating, but you try to look at the positive side. We have been playing well despite the results. We’ve put together some quality soccer, but we just have to figure out that final piece and get a couple extra goals in the event we do give up a late one.”
The final three minutes of the 1-1 tie featured dueling chances.
With 2:30 left, a Bartlett throw-in from 15 yards was cleared by DGN’s Will Thomas to Kukielski up the right wing. But Tobin nicely stepped in to win and clear the ball.
Then with 20 seconds to play, Trojans goalkeeper Gavin Crowson made the save on a 30-yard Rudy Reyes shot to cap the night.
“I was satisfied with how we played and how we worked on the ball and created plays,” Palid said. “And to finish it off like that was very good. I liked it a lot.”
The momentum carried over to Bartlett's Saturday regional quarterfinal 1-0 win at Willowbrook.
“This definitely boosts our confidence to keep pushing, don’t give up,” Palid said. “If we get scored on, keep going, we can catch up. Just keep going hard.
“The main thing to focus on is our offense. The last offensive third we have to maybe play smarter and finish our chances. Our defense is good, and our mids are good at getting on the ball and making runs.”
Downers Grove North opens regional play Tuesday, and can gain confidence in their ability to hold their own in virtually every match. Second-overtime losses to WSC Silver powers Lyons, Hinsdale Central and Oak Park and River Forest have been some of their stellar efforts that ended with deceiving losses.
“Going into playoffs I definitely feel we have the capability to go far,” Eshghy said. “We just need to play our game.
“We have a great conference, and going up against these tough teams has prepared us. We’re ready. We’re used to the usual being a very high level of soccer, so going into the playoffs hopefully we can carry that high level of soccer against the rest of our competition.”
Even with a Senior Night-adjusted lineup on Thursday, the Trojans came out strong.
After Bartlett’s Reyes had the first shot on goal of the half (a 25-yard one-hop drive), the Trojans closed the first 40 minutes with quality chances.
The best came in the 30th minute, when Forst broke free in the middle for a 15-yard low shot that was saved by Taylor.
“Luckily for us Jeremy Taylor stepped up big in net tonight,” Revak said.
“Rudy on the outside played really well, Brandon scored the goal and had a really good second half, and our middle of the field played really well.
“And I especially want to mention our back four. In the first half they (DGN) looked like they were ready to go, but we weren’t giving away any cheap goals that we tended to do at the beginning of the season. We’re definitely improving. And they absolutely put pressure on.
“I think the first half our defense really stifled any opportunities they had,” Revak added. “Those moments were really good, but we just have to extend it to be a whole match instead of just glimpses of creativity and hard play.”
Schmitt noted Downers North’s own excellent defensive performances, and more.
“Our backline has been pretty solid with Eshghy, (Ryan) Newstrom and Kukielski,” Schmitt said. “They’ve been really strong despite the late goals, and those are partly the midfield giving up the ball.
“Defensively they deal with everything that’s thrown at them, and you’ve seen that throughout the season time and time again.
“Trygve Hansen has also been a solid player all season,” Schmitt added. He gives us a little extra quality in the middle of the field. And Peter Bednar has been really strong this season at center mid. He didn’t see a lot of time last year, but he’s been very consistent this year, and been a big part of allowing us to play the way we have been.”
The Trojans’ special Senior Night starting lineup was virtually intact for the first 15 minutes of each half.
“I had a lot of confidence in the seniors on our squad,” Schmitt said. “Unfortunately we had 13 to fit into 10 (starting) spots and it’s hard to get everyone in, but I thought they played really well.
“I wanted to reward them with playing time tonight, and they played well. They got the lead in the second half, and unfortunately just didn’t hold onto it.”
But it was still a winning feeling for the seniors.
“It’s a great program,” Eshghy said. “I’ve been with coach (assistant Mike) Corvo and coach Schmitt for three years, and I’ve enjoyed every day I get to come out. Senior Night is always a bittersweet moment, coming out and playing your last game at home. But it’s great energy coming out with the team.”
Now it’s on to the next chapter of the season for both sides.
“They (Bartlett) are peaking at the right time,” Schmitt said, “and we’re starting to figure it out. We just have to make sure we come out Tuesday and take care of business.
“We’ve played with literally everyone in the state, but just can’t seem to get that edge on them.”
Trojans players see that edge well within their reach.
“The key to playoffs is, play our game,” Eshghy said. “Don’t try to change up against other teams because they may play a different style. And to come out with energy every game, obviously do our best to perform well.
“And finish our plays defensively to keep the ball out of the back of the net, and finish attacking wise.”
Said Scacco: “Defensively we’re great. We just have to put away more of our chances. In the playoffs you have to take advantage – you only get a couple good chances a game and you have to put them away.”
Scacco hopes his successful big chance Thursday is a preview of more to come.
“I’ve had this knee injury for awhile, and it’s still bugging me a little bit,” Scacco said. “But I’m just glad to be out here playing, scoring goals and having a good time.
“It’s kind of sad this being our last home game, but hopefully we’ll make a run in the playoffs. The first goal of the season, it’s nice to break through. And hopefully I’ll get some more in the playoffs.”
Starting lineups
Bartlett
GK Jeremy Taylor
D Matt Tobin
D Austin Cichon
D Zander Zamora
D Ethan Sproule
M Nico Gomez
M Amine Medmoun
M Hernan Garcia
M Omar Chavez
F Rudy Reyes
F Brandon Palid
Downers Grove North
GK Gavin Crowson
D Ryan Newstrom
D Nick Eshghy
D Adam Kukielski
D Blake Varsolona
M Akhil Kodumuri
M Sam Scacco
M Connor Chapa
M Jacob O’Shea
F Braeden Gagliano
F Rojae Brooks
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Sam Scacco, sr. M, Downers North
Brandon Palid, jr. F, Bartlett
Scoring summary
First half
DGN – Sam Scacco (PK), 46th minute
Second half
B – Brandon Palid (unassisted), 73rd minute
Each side hopes for breakthrough in playoffs
By Dave Owen
DOWNERS GROVE - The will to fight through adversity is what every coach looks for from his team, especially before entering the playoffs.
With that said, Downers Grove North’s Sam Scacco and Bartlett’s Brandon Palid offered pretty good examples of perseverance Thursday.
On the Trojans’ Senior Night and the regular season finale for both teams, Scacco continued his recovery from a grisly preseason knee injury with a new highlight – his first goal of 2018.
Then with just 7:34 left and Bartlett down 1-0, Palid used hustle to turn a unlikely scoring chance on a rolling send into the box into a putaway that produced the match’s eventual 1-1 draw.
The result left both sides tied together in another way: with matching 6-10-5 records; and with a mix of happiness with their play and disappointment with settling for a draw.
“It seems kind of the theme we’ve had this season,” Trojans coach Mike Schmitt said. “We play well, get a lead and then we give it away late in the game. Then we try to sneak it out at the end.”
Bartlett co-head coach Vince Revak had similar mixed emotions.
“Positive and negative, like any game that doesn’t end up a win,” Revak said. “The good news is, the boys are playing hard every game now. They realize it’s now or never. I know 1-1 is probably harsh on them and North’s score line, because we both had a ton of opportunities.
“They (the Trojans) have a talented team. They haven’t been getting results this year, kind of like us. It’s kind of a common theme for us.
“I talked to coach Schmitt and he said ‘I’m not surprised by that result,’” Revak added. “And neither was I, because last game we also gave up a PK on a hand ball. And he said all year they couldn’t hold a lead. It (the tie) was almost destiny at this point.”
Scacco’s big role in the regular season finale hardly seemed like destiny in August.
“In tryouts I dislocated my kneecap, so I missed a couple months,” Scacco said. “I’m just getting back into the swing of things, this is maybe four or five (games played).
“It’s been a rough ride this season. I was hoping senior year to have a big impact on the team, but I’ll do what I can to help and hopefully we can get it done in the playoffs.”
Just under six minutes into the second half, Braeden Gagliano’s end line cross found Scacco in front for a 6-yard high header that was blocked by a Bartlett defender’s hand.
“I saw the cross coming in and waited out,” Scacco said, “took a chance with the header, and I really didn’t see what happened.
“I heard the reaction and heard ‘Hand ball,’ and said ‘Alright, it’s my time to step up and take the penalty.’ It was an exciting moment.”
And exciting not just for him.
“It’s so crazy that he’s actually back,” Schmitt said. “I think Day 3 in preseason his kneecap was on the side of his knee. It was something I’d never seen before, and based on that I didn’t think he was going to be playing at all this season.
“He kept reassuring me after a couple weeks of PT (physical therapy), and sure enough he came back within just over a month. And he’s been playing well.
“He gets good minutes on the field, and it’s like he never got hurt,” Schmitt added. “If you didn’t see that brace, you’d never know something happened to him. It’s good to have him back and really good to have him recover quickly.
“He would have probably scored in the run of play had the hand ball not happened, and then he put it (the PK) away, which is good for his confidence and good for the team.”
That goal seemed as if it would stand up, as the Trojans kept up the pressure.
Quality chances followed with 23:05 left, Bartlett goalkeeper Jeremy Taylor’s diving deflection of a Ramsey Forst 28-yard shot stopped one, and with 21:50 to go a sustained push in and around the box ended with Sam Bull’s 20-yarder just over the net.
Meanwhile, the DGN defense continued to withstand every Bartlett bid.
After producing four Matt Tobin free kicks in the first 12 minutes of the half, the Hawks continued to apply heat on set pieces.
With 14:05 to go, Tobin’s 38-yard free kick barely eluded a rushing Austin Cichon at the end line. Then with eight minutes to play, an Omar Chavez cross to the crease was denied by a nice header block and long clear by defender Adam Kukielski.
But just 26 seconds later, a Bartlett send from midfield that seemed harmless ended with Palid’s third goal of the season.
Hustling in against a defender for the rolling send, Palid nicely fought the odds to get a touch on the ball near the crease and touch the ball inside the near post.
“I saw it (the ball) coming, and I didn’t have an angle, so I just tried to curl it around with my right foot,” Palid said. “And it went in.”
Great extra effort for Bartlett caused great pain for DGN.
“Overall I thought we played great,” Trojans senior defender Nick Eshghy said. “Just that small mistake. The rest of the game we played well. Just small mistakes like that create big problems.”
“Today we tried to play our game, but it wasn’t on point to where we should be. Just small mistakes like that (on the goal) create big problems. But overall I thought we played great. Just that small mistake. The rest of the game we played well.”
Said Schmitt: “It was a pretty even game I felt, but it’s one of those things that we just can’t seem to manage a game in the final 10 minutes, and we give up a late goal.
“One lapse, one breakdown late and that’s it. It’s a little frustrating, but you try to look at the positive side. We have been playing well despite the results. We’ve put together some quality soccer, but we just have to figure out that final piece and get a couple extra goals in the event we do give up a late one.”
The final three minutes of the 1-1 tie featured dueling chances.
With 2:30 left, a Bartlett throw-in from 15 yards was cleared by DGN’s Will Thomas to Kukielski up the right wing. But Tobin nicely stepped in to win and clear the ball.
Then with 20 seconds to play, Trojans goalkeeper Gavin Crowson made the save on a 30-yard Rudy Reyes shot to cap the night.
“I was satisfied with how we played and how we worked on the ball and created plays,” Palid said. “And to finish it off like that was very good. I liked it a lot.”
The momentum carried over to Bartlett's Saturday regional quarterfinal 1-0 win at Willowbrook.
“This definitely boosts our confidence to keep pushing, don’t give up,” Palid said. “If we get scored on, keep going, we can catch up. Just keep going hard.
“The main thing to focus on is our offense. The last offensive third we have to maybe play smarter and finish our chances. Our defense is good, and our mids are good at getting on the ball and making runs.”
Downers Grove North opens regional play Tuesday, and can gain confidence in their ability to hold their own in virtually every match. Second-overtime losses to WSC Silver powers Lyons, Hinsdale Central and Oak Park and River Forest have been some of their stellar efforts that ended with deceiving losses.
“Going into playoffs I definitely feel we have the capability to go far,” Eshghy said. “We just need to play our game.
“We have a great conference, and going up against these tough teams has prepared us. We’re ready. We’re used to the usual being a very high level of soccer, so going into the playoffs hopefully we can carry that high level of soccer against the rest of our competition.”
Even with a Senior Night-adjusted lineup on Thursday, the Trojans came out strong.
After Bartlett’s Reyes had the first shot on goal of the half (a 25-yard one-hop drive), the Trojans closed the first 40 minutes with quality chances.
The best came in the 30th minute, when Forst broke free in the middle for a 15-yard low shot that was saved by Taylor.
“Luckily for us Jeremy Taylor stepped up big in net tonight,” Revak said.
“Rudy on the outside played really well, Brandon scored the goal and had a really good second half, and our middle of the field played really well.
“And I especially want to mention our back four. In the first half they (DGN) looked like they were ready to go, but we weren’t giving away any cheap goals that we tended to do at the beginning of the season. We’re definitely improving. And they absolutely put pressure on.
“I think the first half our defense really stifled any opportunities they had,” Revak added. “Those moments were really good, but we just have to extend it to be a whole match instead of just glimpses of creativity and hard play.”
Schmitt noted Downers North’s own excellent defensive performances, and more.
“Our backline has been pretty solid with Eshghy, (Ryan) Newstrom and Kukielski,” Schmitt said. “They’ve been really strong despite the late goals, and those are partly the midfield giving up the ball.
“Defensively they deal with everything that’s thrown at them, and you’ve seen that throughout the season time and time again.
“Trygve Hansen has also been a solid player all season,” Schmitt added. He gives us a little extra quality in the middle of the field. And Peter Bednar has been really strong this season at center mid. He didn’t see a lot of time last year, but he’s been very consistent this year, and been a big part of allowing us to play the way we have been.”
The Trojans’ special Senior Night starting lineup was virtually intact for the first 15 minutes of each half.
“I had a lot of confidence in the seniors on our squad,” Schmitt said. “Unfortunately we had 13 to fit into 10 (starting) spots and it’s hard to get everyone in, but I thought they played really well.
“I wanted to reward them with playing time tonight, and they played well. They got the lead in the second half, and unfortunately just didn’t hold onto it.”
But it was still a winning feeling for the seniors.
“It’s a great program,” Eshghy said. “I’ve been with coach (assistant Mike) Corvo and coach Schmitt for three years, and I’ve enjoyed every day I get to come out. Senior Night is always a bittersweet moment, coming out and playing your last game at home. But it’s great energy coming out with the team.”
Now it’s on to the next chapter of the season for both sides.
“They (Bartlett) are peaking at the right time,” Schmitt said, “and we’re starting to figure it out. We just have to make sure we come out Tuesday and take care of business.
“We’ve played with literally everyone in the state, but just can’t seem to get that edge on them.”
Trojans players see that edge well within their reach.
“The key to playoffs is, play our game,” Eshghy said. “Don’t try to change up against other teams because they may play a different style. And to come out with energy every game, obviously do our best to perform well.
“And finish our plays defensively to keep the ball out of the back of the net, and finish attacking wise.”
Said Scacco: “Defensively we’re great. We just have to put away more of our chances. In the playoffs you have to take advantage – you only get a couple good chances a game and you have to put them away.”
Scacco hopes his successful big chance Thursday is a preview of more to come.
“I’ve had this knee injury for awhile, and it’s still bugging me a little bit,” Scacco said. “But I’m just glad to be out here playing, scoring goals and having a good time.
“It’s kind of sad this being our last home game, but hopefully we’ll make a run in the playoffs. The first goal of the season, it’s nice to break through. And hopefully I’ll get some more in the playoffs.”
Starting lineups
Bartlett
GK Jeremy Taylor
D Matt Tobin
D Austin Cichon
D Zander Zamora
D Ethan Sproule
M Nico Gomez
M Amine Medmoun
M Hernan Garcia
M Omar Chavez
F Rudy Reyes
F Brandon Palid
Downers Grove North
GK Gavin Crowson
D Ryan Newstrom
D Nick Eshghy
D Adam Kukielski
D Blake Varsolona
M Akhil Kodumuri
M Sam Scacco
M Connor Chapa
M Jacob O’Shea
F Braeden Gagliano
F Rojae Brooks
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Sam Scacco, sr. M, Downers North
Brandon Palid, jr. F, Bartlett
Scoring summary
First half
DGN – Sam Scacco (PK), 46th minute
Second half
B – Brandon Palid (unassisted), 73rd minute