Glenbrook North sees
hard work pay off vs. Maine West
Spartans see unbeaten skein reach 3 games with comeback win
By Mike Garofola
DES PLAINES -- Hardly an unknown as a second-year player on Paul Vignocchi's club at Glenbrook North, senior Michael Abrams has done his part providing value off the bench until recently. Now he performs in a different role – as a starter.
Thursday evening in Des Plaines, Abrams, along with teammate Alex Link, proved to be key figures in the Spartans third-straight victory, a well-deserved 2-1 triumph over host Maine West.
Abrams had a hand in both goals, while Link, together with Jack Redland combined to give the Spartans (3-3-1) a water-tight central defender's partnership to help the cause.
"I work hard when we train so I can be ready coming off the bench: creating chances; making life uneasy for our opponents; and just doing what's best for the team," began Abrams.
"So, I was excited to be put into the starting lineup recently, and I definitely wanted to go out and show that I belong out there."
"Michael did an outstanding job tonight," said Vignocchi. “He held the ball up really well for us, and did a very good job of linking with our midfield.”
Glenbrook North is starting to put things together.
"We had a little bit of a slow start this season, so it's taken some time for us to sort things out and learn to play with other," said Abrams, who has his eye on college at either Arizona or Indiana next fall. He plans to major in business.
"We have 22 players on our roster, and it's a deep group, one that has plenty of skill, talent and is all willing to compete at an intense level."
Abrams might be onto something.
After going 0-2-1 in pool play at the Barrington Classic, the Spartans earned a welcome victory over Conant to end tournament play with a fifth place finish.
"I think we saw it start to come together for us in that Conant game,” said Link. “Tonight, Michael was fantastic with his off-the-ball runs. Sam (Lappin) was huge in the middle, and the runs from Miles (Wolder) and Wes (Fagin) allowed Jack and myself to get the ball to them to make ou4 attack very dangerous.
"We played pretty decent soccer in the first half, but it took us awhile to get used to playing on a grass field after being on turf up until then. Our second half tonight was very encouraging because of the play on both sides of the ball.”
Link played in nearly half of the Spartans games during the 2021 spring campaign. He suffered a season-ending injury when a slide tackle from behind ended with a broken fibula.
"I tried to play through it, but that only made the injury worse," said Link, whose interest in studying sports psychology will likely take him to Colorado, Indiana, Michigan or Michigan State next fall.
"Alex did such a nice job covering space and limiting dangerous opportunities, especially for their no. 10 (Alex Abad), who scored an amazing goal," said Vignocchi.
Both sides tested the opposing keeper during the opening 10 minutes. Fagin had two chances – the second, angled effort caused Maine West keeper Omar Rodea Espinosa some extra work in the sixth minute.
Moments later Jakub Murzyn, who split the game with Max Bachenheimer between the sticks for the Spartans, sent a well-aimed free kick from Giovanni Mendez over the bar.
"I thought we performed really well in the first half," said longtime Warriors manager Alan Matan, who could easily have used the excuse of a long list of players on the injury list, but refused to do so. “ Tonight we had our chances and spent a lot of time in their end, then got that great goal from Kevin (Abad) to send us into the half in front. We couldn't keep that kind of plan up after the half.”
Glenbrook North continued to threaten leading up to the Abad goal just before the half hour with the quartet of Abrams, Fagin, Lappin and Wolder keeping the attack lively and within range of Espinosa.
Lappin's one-timer on the turn drew a save from the Warriors keeper in the 18th minute and led to Aadit Vanjani’s effort, which went just over the bar from the spot.
Maine West’s ever-alert Peter Ryt took one off the line to keep the Spartans off the scoreboard after Abrams and Fagin conjured up a quality chance in the 20th minute.
When it appeared the visitors were ready to find the opener, up stepped the Warriors captain Abad who unloaded an unstoppable blast from the right side which planted firmly into the upper-left corner.
"No. 10 (Abad) gave his team a real momentum shift with his goal,” said Link. “But the thing I really liked about us -- we didn't hang our heads and came back strong in the second half."
Abad nearly doubled the advantage of the home side just before the intermission after he and Mendez worked a nice one-two combination.
"We had our chances in the first half, but that's soccer,” began Link. “No. 10 (Abad) finished his chance and gave his team a real momentum shift.”
Changes were in order for Glenbrook North.
"We talked about (it) at the half and what we needed to do coming out of the break,” Abrams said. “That's exactly what we did, plus Brady (Rassin) really fired us up with a big speech at the same time."
Rassins' recent injury has caused Vignocchi and his staff to make a few moves to fill in the holes of the Spartans’ backline.
"Jack (Redland) and I have known each other and played together for a long time,” Link said. “There's a lot of trust between us out there. Any new players put in alongside of us has been easy to handle for both of us."
Glenbrook North wasted little time getting back even after the break. Wolder latching onto an Abrams helper, initiated by Devin Spiggos, to finish with pinpoint accuracy in the 45th minute.
Things went from bad to worse for Maine West two minutes later when a nice ghost run by Ian Lee allowed the sophomore to steer in the eventual game-winner into the corner opposite Espinosa.
"We kept the ball moving in their area," offered Abrams. “When the ball was finally crossed, it went off Miles and right to Ian, who put it in.”
The lightning quick strikes from Wolter and Lee took a toll on the home side, which was likely hoping the Abad goal might just be the spark it needed to put another on the scoreboard and force the Spartans to chase two goals.
However, that was not the case. A now haggard-looking Maine West defense was forced to deal with balls sent with pace and purpose behind its backline from Link and Redland.
"We did do a good job getting balls in behind them, and our link-up play allowed us to take advantage of a Maine West team that is dealing with a handful of injuries, especially in the second half," said Vignocchi.
As the hour neared Abrams put Lee into space, but his attempt to chip Espinosa was rescued by the woodwork, providing a break for the Warriors (1-5-1).
Glenbrook North continued to attack and breach the Warriors backline. The performance of Ryt and Kacper Woroszylo guaranteed the visitors would not find the back of the net one last time.
"In the second half (Glenbrook North) pressured us more, and we struggled in our possession. They were also able to send more attackers at us at the same time, and we were challenged to not let them penetrate in our end," said Matan, who brought three players from his jv team to bolster his shorthanded squad.
Glenbrook North likes the direction it is headed.
"We continue to clean things up with each game,” Abrams said. “Tonight, we picked up right from where we were in the Conant game last weekend.
"Our energy, and effort and positioning was very good. I know we'll continue to play that way from here on out.”
"We still have a lot of work to do, but I really feel like this team is coming together right before we begin conference play, which is a good sign," added Link.
The Spartans travel to Maine South on Tuesday to begin their Central Suburban League South Division schedule.
Starting lineups
Glenbrook North (4-3-2-1)
G Jakub Murzyn
D Dylan Mankoff
D Jack Redland
D Alex Link
D Tal Yedlin
M Sam Lappin
M Miles Wolder
M Ian Lee
M Devin Spiggos
F Wes Fagin
F Michael Abrams
Maine West (4-4-2)
G Omar Rodea Espinosa
D Giovanni Mendez
D Peter Ryt
D Kacper Woroszylo
D Christian Vivar
M Jose Alvardo
M Nicholas Chavez
M Lizandro Cazares
M Andy Gaitan
F Kevin Abad
F Benji Cerda
Chicagoland Men of the Match: Michael Abrams, sr., F, Glenbrook North; Miles Wolder, jr., MF, Glenbrook North
Scoring summary
First half
Maine West: Abad (U/A) 29
Second half
Glenbrook North: Wolder (Abrams), 45'
Glenbrook North: Lee (unassisted), 47’
hard work pay off vs. Maine West
Spartans see unbeaten skein reach 3 games with comeback win
By Mike Garofola
DES PLAINES -- Hardly an unknown as a second-year player on Paul Vignocchi's club at Glenbrook North, senior Michael Abrams has done his part providing value off the bench until recently. Now he performs in a different role – as a starter.
Thursday evening in Des Plaines, Abrams, along with teammate Alex Link, proved to be key figures in the Spartans third-straight victory, a well-deserved 2-1 triumph over host Maine West.
Abrams had a hand in both goals, while Link, together with Jack Redland combined to give the Spartans (3-3-1) a water-tight central defender's partnership to help the cause.
"I work hard when we train so I can be ready coming off the bench: creating chances; making life uneasy for our opponents; and just doing what's best for the team," began Abrams.
"So, I was excited to be put into the starting lineup recently, and I definitely wanted to go out and show that I belong out there."
"Michael did an outstanding job tonight," said Vignocchi. “He held the ball up really well for us, and did a very good job of linking with our midfield.”
Glenbrook North is starting to put things together.
"We had a little bit of a slow start this season, so it's taken some time for us to sort things out and learn to play with other," said Abrams, who has his eye on college at either Arizona or Indiana next fall. He plans to major in business.
"We have 22 players on our roster, and it's a deep group, one that has plenty of skill, talent and is all willing to compete at an intense level."
Abrams might be onto something.
After going 0-2-1 in pool play at the Barrington Classic, the Spartans earned a welcome victory over Conant to end tournament play with a fifth place finish.
"I think we saw it start to come together for us in that Conant game,” said Link. “Tonight, Michael was fantastic with his off-the-ball runs. Sam (Lappin) was huge in the middle, and the runs from Miles (Wolder) and Wes (Fagin) allowed Jack and myself to get the ball to them to make ou4 attack very dangerous.
"We played pretty decent soccer in the first half, but it took us awhile to get used to playing on a grass field after being on turf up until then. Our second half tonight was very encouraging because of the play on both sides of the ball.”
Link played in nearly half of the Spartans games during the 2021 spring campaign. He suffered a season-ending injury when a slide tackle from behind ended with a broken fibula.
"I tried to play through it, but that only made the injury worse," said Link, whose interest in studying sports psychology will likely take him to Colorado, Indiana, Michigan or Michigan State next fall.
"Alex did such a nice job covering space and limiting dangerous opportunities, especially for their no. 10 (Alex Abad), who scored an amazing goal," said Vignocchi.
Both sides tested the opposing keeper during the opening 10 minutes. Fagin had two chances – the second, angled effort caused Maine West keeper Omar Rodea Espinosa some extra work in the sixth minute.
Moments later Jakub Murzyn, who split the game with Max Bachenheimer between the sticks for the Spartans, sent a well-aimed free kick from Giovanni Mendez over the bar.
"I thought we performed really well in the first half," said longtime Warriors manager Alan Matan, who could easily have used the excuse of a long list of players on the injury list, but refused to do so. “ Tonight we had our chances and spent a lot of time in their end, then got that great goal from Kevin (Abad) to send us into the half in front. We couldn't keep that kind of plan up after the half.”
Glenbrook North continued to threaten leading up to the Abad goal just before the half hour with the quartet of Abrams, Fagin, Lappin and Wolder keeping the attack lively and within range of Espinosa.
Lappin's one-timer on the turn drew a save from the Warriors keeper in the 18th minute and led to Aadit Vanjani’s effort, which went just over the bar from the spot.
Maine West’s ever-alert Peter Ryt took one off the line to keep the Spartans off the scoreboard after Abrams and Fagin conjured up a quality chance in the 20th minute.
When it appeared the visitors were ready to find the opener, up stepped the Warriors captain Abad who unloaded an unstoppable blast from the right side which planted firmly into the upper-left corner.
"No. 10 (Abad) gave his team a real momentum shift with his goal,” said Link. “But the thing I really liked about us -- we didn't hang our heads and came back strong in the second half."
Abad nearly doubled the advantage of the home side just before the intermission after he and Mendez worked a nice one-two combination.
"We had our chances in the first half, but that's soccer,” began Link. “No. 10 (Abad) finished his chance and gave his team a real momentum shift.”
Changes were in order for Glenbrook North.
"We talked about (it) at the half and what we needed to do coming out of the break,” Abrams said. “That's exactly what we did, plus Brady (Rassin) really fired us up with a big speech at the same time."
Rassins' recent injury has caused Vignocchi and his staff to make a few moves to fill in the holes of the Spartans’ backline.
"Jack (Redland) and I have known each other and played together for a long time,” Link said. “There's a lot of trust between us out there. Any new players put in alongside of us has been easy to handle for both of us."
Glenbrook North wasted little time getting back even after the break. Wolder latching onto an Abrams helper, initiated by Devin Spiggos, to finish with pinpoint accuracy in the 45th minute.
Things went from bad to worse for Maine West two minutes later when a nice ghost run by Ian Lee allowed the sophomore to steer in the eventual game-winner into the corner opposite Espinosa.
"We kept the ball moving in their area," offered Abrams. “When the ball was finally crossed, it went off Miles and right to Ian, who put it in.”
The lightning quick strikes from Wolter and Lee took a toll on the home side, which was likely hoping the Abad goal might just be the spark it needed to put another on the scoreboard and force the Spartans to chase two goals.
However, that was not the case. A now haggard-looking Maine West defense was forced to deal with balls sent with pace and purpose behind its backline from Link and Redland.
"We did do a good job getting balls in behind them, and our link-up play allowed us to take advantage of a Maine West team that is dealing with a handful of injuries, especially in the second half," said Vignocchi.
As the hour neared Abrams put Lee into space, but his attempt to chip Espinosa was rescued by the woodwork, providing a break for the Warriors (1-5-1).
Glenbrook North continued to attack and breach the Warriors backline. The performance of Ryt and Kacper Woroszylo guaranteed the visitors would not find the back of the net one last time.
"In the second half (Glenbrook North) pressured us more, and we struggled in our possession. They were also able to send more attackers at us at the same time, and we were challenged to not let them penetrate in our end," said Matan, who brought three players from his jv team to bolster his shorthanded squad.
Glenbrook North likes the direction it is headed.
"We continue to clean things up with each game,” Abrams said. “Tonight, we picked up right from where we were in the Conant game last weekend.
"Our energy, and effort and positioning was very good. I know we'll continue to play that way from here on out.”
"We still have a lot of work to do, but I really feel like this team is coming together right before we begin conference play, which is a good sign," added Link.
The Spartans travel to Maine South on Tuesday to begin their Central Suburban League South Division schedule.
Starting lineups
Glenbrook North (4-3-2-1)
G Jakub Murzyn
D Dylan Mankoff
D Jack Redland
D Alex Link
D Tal Yedlin
M Sam Lappin
M Miles Wolder
M Ian Lee
M Devin Spiggos
F Wes Fagin
F Michael Abrams
Maine West (4-4-2)
G Omar Rodea Espinosa
D Giovanni Mendez
D Peter Ryt
D Kacper Woroszylo
D Christian Vivar
M Jose Alvardo
M Nicholas Chavez
M Lizandro Cazares
M Andy Gaitan
F Kevin Abad
F Benji Cerda
Chicagoland Men of the Match: Michael Abrams, sr., F, Glenbrook North; Miles Wolder, jr., MF, Glenbrook North
Scoring summary
First half
Maine West: Abad (U/A) 29
Second half
Glenbrook North: Wolder (Abrams), 45'
Glenbrook North: Lee (unassisted), 47’