York proves WSC mettle, tops DGN
Dukes remain in title chase with 4-1 win
By Dave Owen
ELMHURST – The recent roller coaster ride for York continued.
But the Dukes’ unpredictable play is producing one consistent result – excellence in West Suburban Conference Silver Division matches.
A huge win over Lyons on Sept. 25 was followed by a two-game winless streak in nonconference play. But York (10-4-1, 3-1-0 in the WSC Silver) was back at premium level Tuesday, scoring twice early and rolling on to a 4-1 win over visiting Downers Grove North (6-8-4, 1-2-0).
“We kind of went back to basics, what works for us,” York coach Lukasz Majewski said.
“With conference games, you get hyped up for those, the kids enjoy those.
“Obviously it’s important for us because we’re still in the thick of it. We kind of control our own destiny (for the title).”
But excellence in conference matches hasn’t consistently carried over to other days.
“The last week was kind of a rough, up-and-down week for us,” Majewski said. “Obviously the Addison Trail game turned out poorly for us at the end (a 2-1 loss on Thursday), holding a 1-0 lead and then giving up two goals in the second half.
“And Wheaton-Warrenville South (a 1-1 tie Saturday) wasn’t our best effort. We changed the lineup a lot, just shaking things up,” Majewski added. “Then a good day of practice yesterday, and we were just playing the game we know how to play (vs. Downers North), which is ball on the ground, the ball moves and let’s have the other team chase us instead of us chasing them.
“Just possess it, control it and let our technical ability do the work.”
That approach produced a 1-0 Dukes lead in the 15th minute after a Joe Meade finish off an Ethan Oder assist.
“We possessed the ball for a little bit. We went wide to Ethan Oder, and he put a great ball in (towards the box),” said Meade, who has eight goals this year. “I got in front of the defenders and flipped it over the goalie.”
Then it was time for York’s newest offensive weapon to make an impact.
Coming off a goal Saturday in his first varsity game, sophomore forward Ryan Woolfe struck again with a header off an Andrew Pygon cross. Midway through the first half, York led 2-0.
“It’s crazy,” Woolfe said of his memorable first two varsity games. “I didn’t think I was going to play much at all, and now I’m playing a lot a minutes and scoring two goals in two games in a row.
“Those balls out wide (were keys). All of our wingers in through the middle were cutting in, beating our defenders and heading the ball in like I did.”
Bringing up Woolfe after the Addison Trail loss has helped bring new energy to the Dukes.
“His second game in, two head ball goals,” Majewski said. “He’s had maybe even more production at this level than the sophomore level.
“He’s a big body (6-foot). He still has a lot to learn, but he’s definitely fitting in well. And if you keep on producing, we’ll always find a spot for you.”
Downers Grove North entered the night on an eight-game winless streak (0-5-3), although that stretch has included second overtime losses to strong Silver Division foes Oak Park and River Forest, and Hinsdale Central.
But Tuesday, it was the opening minutes of play that put the Trojans in trouble.
“They (York) are a good team, a hard-working team,” Trojans coach Mike Schmitt said. “And we tend to struggle against hard-working teams.
“When they come out with that intensity, we don’t match it. We’re kind of on our heels from the get go; and that’s kind of what happened today.
“Giving up a goal early-on doesn’t bode well for the rest of the game,” Schmitt added, “and if we can’t get into a rhythm and match intensity, it’s going to go exactly how it went tonight.
“I think we just have the mentality to show up for a game ready to play. Lacking that, we start slow, and we put ourselves at a disadvantage. And from a quality standpoint I think it wasn’t there tonight.”
Downers Grove North senior Will Thomas echoed the impact of getting out of the gate slowly.
“It’s our starting energy,” Thomas said. “We just have to come out a little harder.
But Thomas remains optimistic about the Trojans’ potential.
“Our skill is there,” he said. “But connecting our passes, first touch, all that just needs to improve. It’s all there, but it’s not connecting. We just need to work it out before playoffs.”
York’s defense did its part to keep the Trojans from getting on track in the first half -- capped by standout defender Edwardo DelCarmen’s sliding block of Ramsey Forst’s left side attack just before halftime.
“We were really organized and really communicative amongst each other, knowing each other’s man and communicating that,” York senior defender Jacob Kresnicka said.
“And we were just winning every head ball that came back to our half, and clearing the ball with a purpose, which is major. We maintained possession really well and were patient.”
Then in the second half, dueling shots from distance over the net by York’s Paolo Favuzzi (steal and 30-yard shot 20 seconds in) and Forst (20-yarder curling just wide of the upper right post with 36:10 to go) were followed by another stretch of York control.
The Dukes buzzed the net with 34:10 to go. Meade’s 25-yard free kick was headed by Parker Gawne to Jacob Kresnicka, whose 6-yard header try near the left post was denied on a diving save by Trojans goalkeeper Gavin Crowson.
Then with 29:08 to play, York used a great individual effort by Gawne to build a 3-0 lead.
Dribbling up the left wing from just inside midfield, Gawne raced past Trojan defenders in his path towards the net before lining a low 15-yarder inside the near post.
“It was nice to get Parker a goal,” Majewski said. “He had a couple good opportunities early, and sometimes he’s his own worst enemy, because it gets into his head.
“It was nice to see him do the things we’ve been asking him to do all year – take the ball, go straight at the defender, make him defend you. He’s such a dynamic player. He’s got speed, and he’s so tough and physical to be able to shoot through those gaps and carry the ball. And that’s what he did. One quick turn, he’s gone and put it in the back of the net.”
After York defender Jonathan Milano nicely cleared an attack into the box by Connor ‘R.C.’ Chapa four minutes later, the York offense was back in focus.
Off an Antonio Lepore corner kick with 23:40 left, Crawson made the save on a Woolfe 20-yarder. But one minute later, Woolfe was the passer as York numbers in the box produced a 4-0 lead.
Woolfe’s cross from left of the goal went past Meade to freshman Sam Musial, who left footed an 8-yarder inside the right post.
“Joe had a great dummy (fake shot), and Sam just tucked it away,” Woolfe said.
While the 4-0 deficit proved insurmountable, Downers Grove North continued to battle.
York goalkeeper Kyle Johnson made a great save to deny the first huge Trojans chance with 18:30 left. Nice passes by Thomas and Chapa sprung Eddie Ursulica in on goal. But on Ursulica’s 10-yard left side shot, Johnson made a nice one-handed deflection to his right.
“Defense is our bread and butter, and again Johnson in the back is a nice commodity to have,” Majewski said.
“When things do break down a little bit, it’s never a goal until we see it in the back of the net. A great one-hand save there, and he made another big one earlier.”
The visitors continued to push, with York reserve defenders Owen DeGrace and Jason Marcelo combining to clear an Allesandro Karrow attack with 17:35 to go.
Off a Trojans throw-in from 10 yards with 14:55 left, a DelCarmen header and Pygon clear denied that chance. Then Marcelo, DelCarmen and Sebastian Benavides combined to thwart an ensuing Chapa bid.
But Downers Grove North’s pressure produced results with 12 minutes to play. A cross to the box eluded the York defense and deflected to Chapa, who fielded the loose ball and drove home an 8-yard shot to make the score 4-1.
“If we can have that fight from the start (of games), hopefully we can have a good run the rest of the season and the playoffs,” DGN’s Thomas said. “But we just put ourselves in a hole early.”
Said Schmitt: “It’s been nine games since we’ve had a result (0-6-3), so heading into playoffs it’s not the best scenario. But we have four more (regular season) games to sort it out and get back on track.”
The Trojans followed their goal with two more quality chances. But Johnson met the challenge with saves on Trygve Hansen’s right-side 15-yarder with 7:20 to go, then a diving block and control of Hansen’s low 25-yard drive off a Blake Varsolona pass with 2:05 left.
York’s Meade had the last scoring bid of the impressive Dukes win, a block of a clearing attempt follewed by a left-side chip just wide of the back post with 50 seconds left.
“There were periods we held on to the ball for prolonged periods of time, and that was nice to see,” Majewski said. “Even making substitutions, everybody had a chance to play, and besides a little confusion in the back on that (Trojans) goal, that group came in and I thought were very good holding on to the ball.
“Defensive responsibilities and movement of the ball – that’s what we focus on.”
And despite recent ups and downs, York continues to have laser-like focus when needed in its quest for a WSC Silver title.
“This is an important win for conference,” Meade said, “and we have another one (WSC Silver game) Thursday against OPRF. We’re hoping to win conference.
“We’re just playing hard and hoping the finishes will come,” Meade added. “One of the things we’ve struggled on is finishing this year. But we were finishing well today.”
And as for the Dukes’ unpredictability?
“Some games are wake up calls for us,” Kresnicka said, “like the Addison Trail game and Downers Grove South (a 4-1 loss on Sept. 22). We decided after each of those ‘It’s time to play our game,’ and worked from that. That’s really been going for us.”
Majewski was pleased with Tuesday’s win, but the Dukes remain a bit of an enigma.
“I told them Addison Trail is a six seed, Downers North is a six seed,” Majewski said. “How much difference does less than a week make?
“We’re capable of doing some fantastic things, and then we’re capable of playing mediocre ball. And mediocre ball gives everybody a shot.”
Meade hopes that any signs of mediocrity are in the past.
“Last week we had a rough week, but this is a good bounce back win,” he said. “Hopefully we can keep it going.”
Starting lineups
DGN
GK: Gavin Crowson
D: Ryan Newstrom
D: Brian Benton
D: Nick Eshghy
D: Adam Kukielski
M: Will Thomas
M: Peter Bednar
M: Sam Bull
M: Aidan Flores
F: Connor Chapa
F: Ramsey Forst
York
GK: Kyle Johnson
D: Jonathan Milani
D: Jacob Kresnicka
D: Josh Borzello
D: Edwardo DelCarmen
M: Jack Musial
M: Antonio Lepore
M: Parker Gawne
M: Paolo Favuzzi
F: Joe Meade
F: Ethan Oder
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Joe Meade, jr. F, York
Scoring summary
First half
Y – Joe Meade (Ethan Oder), 15th minute
Y – Ryan Woolfe (Andrew Pygon), 21st minute
Second half
Y – Parker Gawne (unassisted), 51st minute
Y – Sam Musial (Wolfe), 58th minute
DGN - Connor (R.C.) Chapa (unassisted), 68th minute
Dukes remain in title chase with 4-1 win
By Dave Owen
ELMHURST – The recent roller coaster ride for York continued.
But the Dukes’ unpredictable play is producing one consistent result – excellence in West Suburban Conference Silver Division matches.
A huge win over Lyons on Sept. 25 was followed by a two-game winless streak in nonconference play. But York (10-4-1, 3-1-0 in the WSC Silver) was back at premium level Tuesday, scoring twice early and rolling on to a 4-1 win over visiting Downers Grove North (6-8-4, 1-2-0).
“We kind of went back to basics, what works for us,” York coach Lukasz Majewski said.
“With conference games, you get hyped up for those, the kids enjoy those.
“Obviously it’s important for us because we’re still in the thick of it. We kind of control our own destiny (for the title).”
But excellence in conference matches hasn’t consistently carried over to other days.
“The last week was kind of a rough, up-and-down week for us,” Majewski said. “Obviously the Addison Trail game turned out poorly for us at the end (a 2-1 loss on Thursday), holding a 1-0 lead and then giving up two goals in the second half.
“And Wheaton-Warrenville South (a 1-1 tie Saturday) wasn’t our best effort. We changed the lineup a lot, just shaking things up,” Majewski added. “Then a good day of practice yesterday, and we were just playing the game we know how to play (vs. Downers North), which is ball on the ground, the ball moves and let’s have the other team chase us instead of us chasing them.
“Just possess it, control it and let our technical ability do the work.”
That approach produced a 1-0 Dukes lead in the 15th minute after a Joe Meade finish off an Ethan Oder assist.
“We possessed the ball for a little bit. We went wide to Ethan Oder, and he put a great ball in (towards the box),” said Meade, who has eight goals this year. “I got in front of the defenders and flipped it over the goalie.”
Then it was time for York’s newest offensive weapon to make an impact.
Coming off a goal Saturday in his first varsity game, sophomore forward Ryan Woolfe struck again with a header off an Andrew Pygon cross. Midway through the first half, York led 2-0.
“It’s crazy,” Woolfe said of his memorable first two varsity games. “I didn’t think I was going to play much at all, and now I’m playing a lot a minutes and scoring two goals in two games in a row.
“Those balls out wide (were keys). All of our wingers in through the middle were cutting in, beating our defenders and heading the ball in like I did.”
Bringing up Woolfe after the Addison Trail loss has helped bring new energy to the Dukes.
“His second game in, two head ball goals,” Majewski said. “He’s had maybe even more production at this level than the sophomore level.
“He’s a big body (6-foot). He still has a lot to learn, but he’s definitely fitting in well. And if you keep on producing, we’ll always find a spot for you.”
Downers Grove North entered the night on an eight-game winless streak (0-5-3), although that stretch has included second overtime losses to strong Silver Division foes Oak Park and River Forest, and Hinsdale Central.
But Tuesday, it was the opening minutes of play that put the Trojans in trouble.
“They (York) are a good team, a hard-working team,” Trojans coach Mike Schmitt said. “And we tend to struggle against hard-working teams.
“When they come out with that intensity, we don’t match it. We’re kind of on our heels from the get go; and that’s kind of what happened today.
“Giving up a goal early-on doesn’t bode well for the rest of the game,” Schmitt added, “and if we can’t get into a rhythm and match intensity, it’s going to go exactly how it went tonight.
“I think we just have the mentality to show up for a game ready to play. Lacking that, we start slow, and we put ourselves at a disadvantage. And from a quality standpoint I think it wasn’t there tonight.”
Downers Grove North senior Will Thomas echoed the impact of getting out of the gate slowly.
“It’s our starting energy,” Thomas said. “We just have to come out a little harder.
But Thomas remains optimistic about the Trojans’ potential.
“Our skill is there,” he said. “But connecting our passes, first touch, all that just needs to improve. It’s all there, but it’s not connecting. We just need to work it out before playoffs.”
York’s defense did its part to keep the Trojans from getting on track in the first half -- capped by standout defender Edwardo DelCarmen’s sliding block of Ramsey Forst’s left side attack just before halftime.
“We were really organized and really communicative amongst each other, knowing each other’s man and communicating that,” York senior defender Jacob Kresnicka said.
“And we were just winning every head ball that came back to our half, and clearing the ball with a purpose, which is major. We maintained possession really well and were patient.”
Then in the second half, dueling shots from distance over the net by York’s Paolo Favuzzi (steal and 30-yard shot 20 seconds in) and Forst (20-yarder curling just wide of the upper right post with 36:10 to go) were followed by another stretch of York control.
The Dukes buzzed the net with 34:10 to go. Meade’s 25-yard free kick was headed by Parker Gawne to Jacob Kresnicka, whose 6-yard header try near the left post was denied on a diving save by Trojans goalkeeper Gavin Crowson.
Then with 29:08 to play, York used a great individual effort by Gawne to build a 3-0 lead.
Dribbling up the left wing from just inside midfield, Gawne raced past Trojan defenders in his path towards the net before lining a low 15-yarder inside the near post.
“It was nice to get Parker a goal,” Majewski said. “He had a couple good opportunities early, and sometimes he’s his own worst enemy, because it gets into his head.
“It was nice to see him do the things we’ve been asking him to do all year – take the ball, go straight at the defender, make him defend you. He’s such a dynamic player. He’s got speed, and he’s so tough and physical to be able to shoot through those gaps and carry the ball. And that’s what he did. One quick turn, he’s gone and put it in the back of the net.”
After York defender Jonathan Milano nicely cleared an attack into the box by Connor ‘R.C.’ Chapa four minutes later, the York offense was back in focus.
Off an Antonio Lepore corner kick with 23:40 left, Crawson made the save on a Woolfe 20-yarder. But one minute later, Woolfe was the passer as York numbers in the box produced a 4-0 lead.
Woolfe’s cross from left of the goal went past Meade to freshman Sam Musial, who left footed an 8-yarder inside the right post.
“Joe had a great dummy (fake shot), and Sam just tucked it away,” Woolfe said.
While the 4-0 deficit proved insurmountable, Downers Grove North continued to battle.
York goalkeeper Kyle Johnson made a great save to deny the first huge Trojans chance with 18:30 left. Nice passes by Thomas and Chapa sprung Eddie Ursulica in on goal. But on Ursulica’s 10-yard left side shot, Johnson made a nice one-handed deflection to his right.
“Defense is our bread and butter, and again Johnson in the back is a nice commodity to have,” Majewski said.
“When things do break down a little bit, it’s never a goal until we see it in the back of the net. A great one-hand save there, and he made another big one earlier.”
The visitors continued to push, with York reserve defenders Owen DeGrace and Jason Marcelo combining to clear an Allesandro Karrow attack with 17:35 to go.
Off a Trojans throw-in from 10 yards with 14:55 left, a DelCarmen header and Pygon clear denied that chance. Then Marcelo, DelCarmen and Sebastian Benavides combined to thwart an ensuing Chapa bid.
But Downers Grove North’s pressure produced results with 12 minutes to play. A cross to the box eluded the York defense and deflected to Chapa, who fielded the loose ball and drove home an 8-yard shot to make the score 4-1.
“If we can have that fight from the start (of games), hopefully we can have a good run the rest of the season and the playoffs,” DGN’s Thomas said. “But we just put ourselves in a hole early.”
Said Schmitt: “It’s been nine games since we’ve had a result (0-6-3), so heading into playoffs it’s not the best scenario. But we have four more (regular season) games to sort it out and get back on track.”
The Trojans followed their goal with two more quality chances. But Johnson met the challenge with saves on Trygve Hansen’s right-side 15-yarder with 7:20 to go, then a diving block and control of Hansen’s low 25-yard drive off a Blake Varsolona pass with 2:05 left.
York’s Meade had the last scoring bid of the impressive Dukes win, a block of a clearing attempt follewed by a left-side chip just wide of the back post with 50 seconds left.
“There were periods we held on to the ball for prolonged periods of time, and that was nice to see,” Majewski said. “Even making substitutions, everybody had a chance to play, and besides a little confusion in the back on that (Trojans) goal, that group came in and I thought were very good holding on to the ball.
“Defensive responsibilities and movement of the ball – that’s what we focus on.”
And despite recent ups and downs, York continues to have laser-like focus when needed in its quest for a WSC Silver title.
“This is an important win for conference,” Meade said, “and we have another one (WSC Silver game) Thursday against OPRF. We’re hoping to win conference.
“We’re just playing hard and hoping the finishes will come,” Meade added. “One of the things we’ve struggled on is finishing this year. But we were finishing well today.”
And as for the Dukes’ unpredictability?
“Some games are wake up calls for us,” Kresnicka said, “like the Addison Trail game and Downers Grove South (a 4-1 loss on Sept. 22). We decided after each of those ‘It’s time to play our game,’ and worked from that. That’s really been going for us.”
Majewski was pleased with Tuesday’s win, but the Dukes remain a bit of an enigma.
“I told them Addison Trail is a six seed, Downers North is a six seed,” Majewski said. “How much difference does less than a week make?
“We’re capable of doing some fantastic things, and then we’re capable of playing mediocre ball. And mediocre ball gives everybody a shot.”
Meade hopes that any signs of mediocrity are in the past.
“Last week we had a rough week, but this is a good bounce back win,” he said. “Hopefully we can keep it going.”
Starting lineups
DGN
GK: Gavin Crowson
D: Ryan Newstrom
D: Brian Benton
D: Nick Eshghy
D: Adam Kukielski
M: Will Thomas
M: Peter Bednar
M: Sam Bull
M: Aidan Flores
F: Connor Chapa
F: Ramsey Forst
York
GK: Kyle Johnson
D: Jonathan Milani
D: Jacob Kresnicka
D: Josh Borzello
D: Edwardo DelCarmen
M: Jack Musial
M: Antonio Lepore
M: Parker Gawne
M: Paolo Favuzzi
F: Joe Meade
F: Ethan Oder
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Joe Meade, jr. F, York
Scoring summary
First half
Y – Joe Meade (Ethan Oder), 15th minute
Y – Ryan Woolfe (Andrew Pygon), 21st minute
Second half
Y – Parker Gawne (unassisted), 51st minute
Y – Sam Musial (Wolfe), 58th minute
DGN - Connor (R.C.) Chapa (unassisted), 68th minute