Downers Grove North can't
slow Oswego East's roll
Wolves remain undefeated with 5-1 Plainfield Classic win
By Curt Herron
OSWEGO - Score early, get two quick goals shortly before halftime, limit the number of good chances for your opponent and get plenty of playing time from all of your players.
That's the formula that Oswego East effectively utilized in Saturday's Plainfield Classic opener against Downers Grove North to help it capture a 5-1 win on its own field.
Ben Burns earned his second Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honor in eight days after the senior collected two goals and an assist to help the Wolves jump out to a 3-0 halftime advantage and assisted on the final goal as his team captured their seventh-straight victory to open the season.
Seniors Matt Watson, Josh Frank and Will Mortenson also scored goals while seniors Carter Boberg and John Danison chipped in with assists.
Seniors Cael Cummings, Gilberto Mijarez and Danison and junior Drew Karg started along the backline with Javier Ruiz in goal as the Wolves built up a 5-0 lead before the Trojans concluded the scoring.
"I think this is our best start in school history, and we've played a lot of good programs," Wolves coach Steve Szymanski said. "We're kind of breaking our system up in segments. There was the preseason. Now we're in a tournament, and then we get the conference push toward the end. We want to be successful in each one."
The Trojans entered the match with a misleading 1-4-0 record after losing twice on penalties, once in overtime and once by a goal. But coach Mike Schmitt's squad fell behind early and were down by three scores at halftime against a team that has now allowed five goals on the season.
"We graduated a lot of talent. It's like a rebuilding year with players filling in spots, but we've been able to battle every time," Schmitt said. "It was kind of disappointing that we didn't show that fight today.
"We had some decent things that happened, but we just came out flat. It just wasn't our day, whether because it was a Saturday or we were playing on grass. Excuses aside, we just didn't have it today.
“But we had some bright spots. I thought Jack Ryan and Ryan Wilson played really well. And we moved Jose Perez into the midfield from the back, and I thought he had a really good game."
The Wolves scored on their first good opportunity in the sixth minute when Cummings sent in a long free kick from just beyond the midfield stripe. Burns eventually got to the loose ball and connected from close range.
After Downers Grove North’s Ryan was stopped on an attempt from the side by Ruiz, Trojans’ keeper Drew Matune halted a liner from ZeDaniel Parodis-Yu and then a bit later a shot from his brother, DuPablo Parodis-Yu. About half an hour into the match, Ruiz turned away a liner from James Harkness.
Oswego East, which meets Wheaton North on Monday, Lincoln-Way East on Thursday and would have two matches Saturday if it makes it to the tournament final, took a 2-0 lead in the 33rd minute when Kellen Klosterman started a sequence where he found Burns, who sent a pass through to Watson, who scored from close range.
Shortly after Burns was denied on a short effort, the Wolves went up 3-0 in the 35th minute when Danison sent a pass inside and Burns connected for his second goal.
"You can't ask for a better start to a season," Danison said. "My backline is incredible, and we have so many subs. I trust anybody who's back there.
"A lot of us play not only during the season together but also outside of the season and a lot of us are on similar travel teams, which helps a lot.
“We hang out at other peoples' houses. I love how close we are together, and that really makes a big difference. We have a close team with a lot of good chemistry. I would consider us as a family. We stick up for each other on and off the field."
Shortly before the break, Watson had another good opportunity but his attempt was deflected by defender Downers Grove North defender Bradley Szydlowski.
The Wolves grabbed a 4-0 advantage in the 48th minute when Boberg sent a corner kick in front and Frank was there to put in the short attempt.
"We've been playing tough teams and always fight to the end and play our best," Frank said. "This was a test for us, and I think that our chemistry was on another level today.
"We took advantage of our shooting opportunities, and we put five in the net.
"Most of us are on the same club team so we know how each other plays, so you have that connection with each other. I like our possession. We keep the ball, and we move the ball to create chances. Our backline is very solid and we don't give up a lot of goals either."
Not long after new Wolves keeper Erik Santillian made a stop on a try from Ryan Wilson, the hosts collected their fifth goal in the 49th minute. Burns sent a pass inside to Mortenson, who connected. The score was a big deal to the senior, who played with a cast on his left arm.
“Against Hinsdale Central (a 2-1 road win Aug. 28), I broke my wrist and part of my arm,” Mortenson said. “It was really tough and I thought I'd be out for a couple of months.
"We have a really deep team this year. I think that we're gelling and playing really well together and working hard. The results are showing.
"I feel like those early goals really help us get a better grip on games. It seems like when we're in the drivers' seat, we play better.
"We pretty much have 20 starters on this team, so when anyone goes in, we don't really lose anything and get the same intensity and quality. We've been together since freshman year and are a really tight group. "
The Wolves completed a unique city-sweeping double Saturday. With the win against the Trojans, they completed topped both of Downers Grove’s public high schools: Oswego East beat the Mustangs 4-2 a week earlier. Earlier this week, they topped conference foes Joliet West and Central on successive days.
Downers Grove North concluded the scoring in the 57th minute when senior Jose Perez sent a free kick to junior Szydlowski, who connected to deny the Wolves their fourth shutout of the season.
Downers Grove North also has a busy week, hosting Proviso West on Tuesday for senior recognition night and playing Monday, Thursday and Saturday in the tournament.
Starting lineups
Downers Grove North
G Drew Matune
D Kyle Miller
D Jose Perez
D Owen Lesley
D Bradley Szydlowski
M Jackson Irby
M Riley Botha
M Ryan Wilson
M Ben Llewellyn
F Jack Ryan
F Nicholas O'Shea
Oswego East
G Javier Ruiz
D Cael Cummings
D Drew Karg
D John Danison
D Gilberto Mijarez
M Carter Boberg
M Josh Frank
M Grant Glorioso
M Kellen Klosterman
F Ben Burns
F DuPablo Parodis-Yu
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match:
Ben Burns, sr., F, Oswego East
Scoring summary
First half
OE: Burns (unassisted), 6th minute
OE: Watson (Burns), 33rd minute
OE: Burns (Danison), 35th minute
Second half
OE: Frank (Boberg), 48th minute
OE: Mortenson (Burns), 49th minute
DGN: Szydlowski (Perez), 57th minute
slow Oswego East's roll
Wolves remain undefeated with 5-1 Plainfield Classic win
By Curt Herron
OSWEGO - Score early, get two quick goals shortly before halftime, limit the number of good chances for your opponent and get plenty of playing time from all of your players.
That's the formula that Oswego East effectively utilized in Saturday's Plainfield Classic opener against Downers Grove North to help it capture a 5-1 win on its own field.
Ben Burns earned his second Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honor in eight days after the senior collected two goals and an assist to help the Wolves jump out to a 3-0 halftime advantage and assisted on the final goal as his team captured their seventh-straight victory to open the season.
Seniors Matt Watson, Josh Frank and Will Mortenson also scored goals while seniors Carter Boberg and John Danison chipped in with assists.
Seniors Cael Cummings, Gilberto Mijarez and Danison and junior Drew Karg started along the backline with Javier Ruiz in goal as the Wolves built up a 5-0 lead before the Trojans concluded the scoring.
"I think this is our best start in school history, and we've played a lot of good programs," Wolves coach Steve Szymanski said. "We're kind of breaking our system up in segments. There was the preseason. Now we're in a tournament, and then we get the conference push toward the end. We want to be successful in each one."
The Trojans entered the match with a misleading 1-4-0 record after losing twice on penalties, once in overtime and once by a goal. But coach Mike Schmitt's squad fell behind early and were down by three scores at halftime against a team that has now allowed five goals on the season.
"We graduated a lot of talent. It's like a rebuilding year with players filling in spots, but we've been able to battle every time," Schmitt said. "It was kind of disappointing that we didn't show that fight today.
"We had some decent things that happened, but we just came out flat. It just wasn't our day, whether because it was a Saturday or we were playing on grass. Excuses aside, we just didn't have it today.
“But we had some bright spots. I thought Jack Ryan and Ryan Wilson played really well. And we moved Jose Perez into the midfield from the back, and I thought he had a really good game."
The Wolves scored on their first good opportunity in the sixth minute when Cummings sent in a long free kick from just beyond the midfield stripe. Burns eventually got to the loose ball and connected from close range.
After Downers Grove North’s Ryan was stopped on an attempt from the side by Ruiz, Trojans’ keeper Drew Matune halted a liner from ZeDaniel Parodis-Yu and then a bit later a shot from his brother, DuPablo Parodis-Yu. About half an hour into the match, Ruiz turned away a liner from James Harkness.
Oswego East, which meets Wheaton North on Monday, Lincoln-Way East on Thursday and would have two matches Saturday if it makes it to the tournament final, took a 2-0 lead in the 33rd minute when Kellen Klosterman started a sequence where he found Burns, who sent a pass through to Watson, who scored from close range.
Shortly after Burns was denied on a short effort, the Wolves went up 3-0 in the 35th minute when Danison sent a pass inside and Burns connected for his second goal.
"You can't ask for a better start to a season," Danison said. "My backline is incredible, and we have so many subs. I trust anybody who's back there.
"A lot of us play not only during the season together but also outside of the season and a lot of us are on similar travel teams, which helps a lot.
“We hang out at other peoples' houses. I love how close we are together, and that really makes a big difference. We have a close team with a lot of good chemistry. I would consider us as a family. We stick up for each other on and off the field."
Shortly before the break, Watson had another good opportunity but his attempt was deflected by defender Downers Grove North defender Bradley Szydlowski.
The Wolves grabbed a 4-0 advantage in the 48th minute when Boberg sent a corner kick in front and Frank was there to put in the short attempt.
"We've been playing tough teams and always fight to the end and play our best," Frank said. "This was a test for us, and I think that our chemistry was on another level today.
"We took advantage of our shooting opportunities, and we put five in the net.
"Most of us are on the same club team so we know how each other plays, so you have that connection with each other. I like our possession. We keep the ball, and we move the ball to create chances. Our backline is very solid and we don't give up a lot of goals either."
Not long after new Wolves keeper Erik Santillian made a stop on a try from Ryan Wilson, the hosts collected their fifth goal in the 49th minute. Burns sent a pass inside to Mortenson, who connected. The score was a big deal to the senior, who played with a cast on his left arm.
“Against Hinsdale Central (a 2-1 road win Aug. 28), I broke my wrist and part of my arm,” Mortenson said. “It was really tough and I thought I'd be out for a couple of months.
"We have a really deep team this year. I think that we're gelling and playing really well together and working hard. The results are showing.
"I feel like those early goals really help us get a better grip on games. It seems like when we're in the drivers' seat, we play better.
"We pretty much have 20 starters on this team, so when anyone goes in, we don't really lose anything and get the same intensity and quality. We've been together since freshman year and are a really tight group. "
The Wolves completed a unique city-sweeping double Saturday. With the win against the Trojans, they completed topped both of Downers Grove’s public high schools: Oswego East beat the Mustangs 4-2 a week earlier. Earlier this week, they topped conference foes Joliet West and Central on successive days.
Downers Grove North concluded the scoring in the 57th minute when senior Jose Perez sent a free kick to junior Szydlowski, who connected to deny the Wolves their fourth shutout of the season.
Downers Grove North also has a busy week, hosting Proviso West on Tuesday for senior recognition night and playing Monday, Thursday and Saturday in the tournament.
Starting lineups
Downers Grove North
G Drew Matune
D Kyle Miller
D Jose Perez
D Owen Lesley
D Bradley Szydlowski
M Jackson Irby
M Riley Botha
M Ryan Wilson
M Ben Llewellyn
F Jack Ryan
F Nicholas O'Shea
Oswego East
G Javier Ruiz
D Cael Cummings
D Drew Karg
D John Danison
D Gilberto Mijarez
M Carter Boberg
M Josh Frank
M Grant Glorioso
M Kellen Klosterman
F Ben Burns
F DuPablo Parodis-Yu
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match:
Ben Burns, sr., F, Oswego East
Scoring summary
First half
OE: Burns (unassisted), 6th minute
OE: Watson (Burns), 33rd minute
OE: Burns (Danison), 35th minute
Second half
OE: Frank (Boberg), 48th minute
OE: Mortenson (Burns), 49th minute
DGN: Szydlowski (Perez), 57th minute