Maine South uses
2nd half scores to top Deerfield
Hawks remain undefeated with 2-0 victory
By Mike Garofola
PARK RIDGE -- Maine South will go into the most important part of this shortened season on its front foot after an impressive 2-0 victory Thursday night over Deerfield at Wilson Field.
David Skorupa and John Cronnolly thrilled the home crowd with two eye-popping goals after the break while their mates turned in a solid, all-around effort to give manager Dan States a well-deserved result in the Central Suburban League cross-over match.
"Jackson Wambach, Stefan Iricanin, Skorupa and Cronnolly created some excellent combination play tonight," States said.
"Coming from different clubs and the long layoff has delayed the progression of this group a bit, but tonight they demonstrated they are clearly beginning to jell as a group. We certainly will need them to continue to evolve as we head into very challenging CSL South play."
With the win the Hawks, who have started the season with a North Division dance card, stand at 5-0-1 record. The wins include three clean-sheets.
"During a normal season, we would have summer camp, then almost immediately go into preseason training where all of us work on our conditioning and fitness, situational play (everything) to get us ready for the start of the fall season," began Wambach, who earned Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honors.
"This year we didn't have any of that other than a few workouts in February, then a week of training leading up to the start of this new season.
"I really believe right now we're used to the speed of play and each other, and the effort we had in the second half makes me feel like we're all coming together as we begin play in our division."
Wambach defined what an attacking midfielder should look like with an 80-minute performance which included quality distribution, play with purpose, technical excellence and a box-to-box effort that States appreciated.
"Jackson is a player who brings a tremendous work-rate and leadership to the middle of the field that infuses our team," said States.
"His high energy play disrupts opponents and creates rapid transition for us to generate our attack. As you saw tonight, his slashing attacking runs are very impressive."
Visiting Deerfield (2-3-2) put together a strong first half despite missing six from its roster, four of whom were starters. The Warriors’ first 11 had a number of first-time starters.
"Missing those players really took the edge away from our ability to possess, but I give our guys credit for fighting through the entire game against a very talented Maine South team," said Warriors manager Elliot Hurtig.
"We had two freshmen (Nathan Garcia and Ethan Helfand) step into a challenging situation and play with a lot of poise and confidence. We had to pull up a couple of sophomore and junior players to play in their first varsity game. So, all-in-all, I thought we met the challenge from Maine South."
The inexperience in the Warriors first eleven and on its shortened bench was eased in part to the presence of stalwart Nicholas Prus.
The Warriors tri-captain ran the show for his club by winning countless balls in the middle of the park, driving the attack with near perfect passing and supplying an impressive work-rate.
"As a two-time captain, I know the guys look to me to be a strong leader,” said Prus, who has played on the varsity for three seasons. “I know how important it is to lead by example, make the right decisions and to be at my best at all times.
"I was sitting a little deeper than usual in this game because of us having so much inexperience out there, but I thought we fought hard on both sides of the ball, created some chances, and had a lot of the play for the first 25-30 minutes. In the end, I was very proud of our team tonight."
Prus will put away his soccer kit when he enters college next fall at either Tulane or Case-Western. The Warriors star, who plans on pre-med course of studies, currently carries a 4.4 weighted GPA.
"Nick had another outstanding game,” Hurtig said. “Can never take him off, because he has incredible talent and vision, plus he works incredibly hard to put himself and our team in the best position to win a game."
The senior was in the middle of two good chances. The first came in the 4th minute when he sent a lovely ball over the top that required Maine South outside defender Aidan Hansen to parry the dangerous send out of the box.
Seven minutes later, Ryder Coleman, Peter Straus and Prus set Aidan Morrison for a close-in attempt that Hawks first half keeper Drew Burgis saved.
Hansen earned praise from Wambach after the game for his contribution to the Hawks first 11.
"Aidan got some minutes in our last game with Niles North before earning his first start with the varsity tonight; he was very good for us," said Wambach.
"He tackled everything on his side of the field, jumped into the attack several times and had just a great game for us."
Wambach felt the strong wind, and rain in the faces of the Hawks in the first half may have slowed the club down a bit in the first half hour. But as they slowly sorted out how Deerfield would attack as well as defend, the game began to come to them.
The last six minutes of the first period was a harbinger of what was to come after the intermission as the home side began to stretch the Warriors formation.
"We kind of took control towards the end of the half, and it carried right on through afterwards," said Skorupa, whose unstoppable guided missile found its way into the far-inside netting in the 46th minute.
"I was in a 1-v-1 situation and the defender gave me some time and room."
"Just a great finish from David." said Wambach.
After Skorupa's stunning strike, it was all one-way traffic for the home side.
Deerfield keeper Josh Berman was called into action on a handful of quality chances from the Hawks. He pushed+ a wicked effort from Andrew Mashni over the bar with the tips of his gloves.
Berman saved the third of three corners from Cronnolly at his near post five minutes later, but the talented senior had no chance when the Hawks doubled their advantage at 68 minutes.
Another long punt from keeper Tommy Prokos traveled well into the Warriors end thanks to a strong wind at his back. The ball was redirected with an inch-perfect header by Iricanin onto the foot of Cronnolly, who then used a marvelous touch to finish to the left of Berman.
"Berman kept us in the game with some huge saves in the second half, but we had trouble the entire half dealing with those long balls from their keeper," Hurtig said. “It happened twice, which led to both goals.”
"We wanted to come out early and put them under, but it took us a little while to break (Deerfield) down and find our form," said Wambach. “They were playing four in the back, plus they sat no. 18 (Prus) in front of them, and we struggled with that some.
"After the break it was so much different. We were playing fast, winning balls, getting everyone involved, and we just kept the pressure on by keeping the ball in their end the entire time.
"It was a good win for the guys. Now the real work begins with a busy week against three of our CSL South rivals."
The Hawks will face Niles West on Tuesday, Evanston on Thursday and finish up with Glenbrook South next Saturday.
Deerfield meets North Division foes Niles North on Tuesday, Maine West on Thursday and Vernon Hills on Saturday.
Starting lineups
Deerfield (4-3-3)
G- Josh Berman
D- Noah Weil
D- Ben Seed
D- Ko Vandeneijkhoff
D- James Weiner
M- Ryder Coleman
M- Nicholas Prus
M- Justin Blumenthal
F- Adam Shore
F- Peter Straus
F- Aidan Morrison
Maine South (4-3-3)
G- Drew Burgis
D- Jimmy Gurgone
D- Ryne Downing
D- Matt Skorupa
D- Aidan Hansen
M- Andrew Mashni
M- Stefan Iricanin
M- Jackson Wambach
F- John Cronnolly
F- Pawel Bochnia
F- David Skorupa
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Jackson Wambach, sr., MF, Maine South
Referee: John Martelin
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Maine South: D. Skorupa (U/A) 46'
Maine South: Cronnolly (Iricanin, Prokos) 68'
2nd half scores to top Deerfield
Hawks remain undefeated with 2-0 victory
By Mike Garofola
PARK RIDGE -- Maine South will go into the most important part of this shortened season on its front foot after an impressive 2-0 victory Thursday night over Deerfield at Wilson Field.
David Skorupa and John Cronnolly thrilled the home crowd with two eye-popping goals after the break while their mates turned in a solid, all-around effort to give manager Dan States a well-deserved result in the Central Suburban League cross-over match.
"Jackson Wambach, Stefan Iricanin, Skorupa and Cronnolly created some excellent combination play tonight," States said.
"Coming from different clubs and the long layoff has delayed the progression of this group a bit, but tonight they demonstrated they are clearly beginning to jell as a group. We certainly will need them to continue to evolve as we head into very challenging CSL South play."
With the win the Hawks, who have started the season with a North Division dance card, stand at 5-0-1 record. The wins include three clean-sheets.
"During a normal season, we would have summer camp, then almost immediately go into preseason training where all of us work on our conditioning and fitness, situational play (everything) to get us ready for the start of the fall season," began Wambach, who earned Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honors.
"This year we didn't have any of that other than a few workouts in February, then a week of training leading up to the start of this new season.
"I really believe right now we're used to the speed of play and each other, and the effort we had in the second half makes me feel like we're all coming together as we begin play in our division."
Wambach defined what an attacking midfielder should look like with an 80-minute performance which included quality distribution, play with purpose, technical excellence and a box-to-box effort that States appreciated.
"Jackson is a player who brings a tremendous work-rate and leadership to the middle of the field that infuses our team," said States.
"His high energy play disrupts opponents and creates rapid transition for us to generate our attack. As you saw tonight, his slashing attacking runs are very impressive."
Visiting Deerfield (2-3-2) put together a strong first half despite missing six from its roster, four of whom were starters. The Warriors’ first 11 had a number of first-time starters.
"Missing those players really took the edge away from our ability to possess, but I give our guys credit for fighting through the entire game against a very talented Maine South team," said Warriors manager Elliot Hurtig.
"We had two freshmen (Nathan Garcia and Ethan Helfand) step into a challenging situation and play with a lot of poise and confidence. We had to pull up a couple of sophomore and junior players to play in their first varsity game. So, all-in-all, I thought we met the challenge from Maine South."
The inexperience in the Warriors first eleven and on its shortened bench was eased in part to the presence of stalwart Nicholas Prus.
The Warriors tri-captain ran the show for his club by winning countless balls in the middle of the park, driving the attack with near perfect passing and supplying an impressive work-rate.
"As a two-time captain, I know the guys look to me to be a strong leader,” said Prus, who has played on the varsity for three seasons. “I know how important it is to lead by example, make the right decisions and to be at my best at all times.
"I was sitting a little deeper than usual in this game because of us having so much inexperience out there, but I thought we fought hard on both sides of the ball, created some chances, and had a lot of the play for the first 25-30 minutes. In the end, I was very proud of our team tonight."
Prus will put away his soccer kit when he enters college next fall at either Tulane or Case-Western. The Warriors star, who plans on pre-med course of studies, currently carries a 4.4 weighted GPA.
"Nick had another outstanding game,” Hurtig said. “Can never take him off, because he has incredible talent and vision, plus he works incredibly hard to put himself and our team in the best position to win a game."
The senior was in the middle of two good chances. The first came in the 4th minute when he sent a lovely ball over the top that required Maine South outside defender Aidan Hansen to parry the dangerous send out of the box.
Seven minutes later, Ryder Coleman, Peter Straus and Prus set Aidan Morrison for a close-in attempt that Hawks first half keeper Drew Burgis saved.
Hansen earned praise from Wambach after the game for his contribution to the Hawks first 11.
"Aidan got some minutes in our last game with Niles North before earning his first start with the varsity tonight; he was very good for us," said Wambach.
"He tackled everything on his side of the field, jumped into the attack several times and had just a great game for us."
Wambach felt the strong wind, and rain in the faces of the Hawks in the first half may have slowed the club down a bit in the first half hour. But as they slowly sorted out how Deerfield would attack as well as defend, the game began to come to them.
The last six minutes of the first period was a harbinger of what was to come after the intermission as the home side began to stretch the Warriors formation.
"We kind of took control towards the end of the half, and it carried right on through afterwards," said Skorupa, whose unstoppable guided missile found its way into the far-inside netting in the 46th minute.
"I was in a 1-v-1 situation and the defender gave me some time and room."
"Just a great finish from David." said Wambach.
After Skorupa's stunning strike, it was all one-way traffic for the home side.
Deerfield keeper Josh Berman was called into action on a handful of quality chances from the Hawks. He pushed+ a wicked effort from Andrew Mashni over the bar with the tips of his gloves.
Berman saved the third of three corners from Cronnolly at his near post five minutes later, but the talented senior had no chance when the Hawks doubled their advantage at 68 minutes.
Another long punt from keeper Tommy Prokos traveled well into the Warriors end thanks to a strong wind at his back. The ball was redirected with an inch-perfect header by Iricanin onto the foot of Cronnolly, who then used a marvelous touch to finish to the left of Berman.
"Berman kept us in the game with some huge saves in the second half, but we had trouble the entire half dealing with those long balls from their keeper," Hurtig said. “It happened twice, which led to both goals.”
"We wanted to come out early and put them under, but it took us a little while to break (Deerfield) down and find our form," said Wambach. “They were playing four in the back, plus they sat no. 18 (Prus) in front of them, and we struggled with that some.
"After the break it was so much different. We were playing fast, winning balls, getting everyone involved, and we just kept the pressure on by keeping the ball in their end the entire time.
"It was a good win for the guys. Now the real work begins with a busy week against three of our CSL South rivals."
The Hawks will face Niles West on Tuesday, Evanston on Thursday and finish up with Glenbrook South next Saturday.
Deerfield meets North Division foes Niles North on Tuesday, Maine West on Thursday and Vernon Hills on Saturday.
Starting lineups
Deerfield (4-3-3)
G- Josh Berman
D- Noah Weil
D- Ben Seed
D- Ko Vandeneijkhoff
D- James Weiner
M- Ryder Coleman
M- Nicholas Prus
M- Justin Blumenthal
F- Adam Shore
F- Peter Straus
F- Aidan Morrison
Maine South (4-3-3)
G- Drew Burgis
D- Jimmy Gurgone
D- Ryne Downing
D- Matt Skorupa
D- Aidan Hansen
M- Andrew Mashni
M- Stefan Iricanin
M- Jackson Wambach
F- John Cronnolly
F- Pawel Bochnia
F- David Skorupa
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Jackson Wambach, sr., MF, Maine South
Referee: John Martelin
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Maine South: D. Skorupa (U/A) 46'
Maine South: Cronnolly (Iricanin, Prokos) 68'