Host Maine South looks to rebound
against Glenbrook South
By Mike Garofola
Glenbrook South and Maine South meet in a game which is vital for both clubs in the Central Suburban League South Division title race Thursday in Park Ridge.
The host Hawks (4-3-1, 0-1-0) come into this contest in a mixed run of form after a 2-0 loss to division-leading Evanston on Tuesday. That made Dan States club 1-3-0 in its last four games.
The Titans (5-1-3, 0-0-1) earned a hard fought 1-1 draw with rival New Trier in their CSL South opener to put Reggie Lara's club on its front foot in advance of this evening.
"We're looking forward to playing Maine South. We expect a physical, close game, which should be amplified by the fact that we knocked them out of the playoffs last season in kicks," said Lara.
"This is a big week," added Titans senior Michael Zenzola, a key figure in a backline which has been stingy so far this season.
"Back-to-back divisional games, it's a chance for us to help ourselves out if we want to finish on top of the South at the end."
Zenzola, who wears a captain's armband for Lara, credits his backline mates for only seven goals conceded in nine games, as well as keeper Christian Noordover.
"Christian has been real solid," Zenzola said. "He comes off his line with confidence, cuts down balls coming into the box and plays the position like a keeper-sweeper.
Lara also praised his keeper.
"Christian rarely makes mistakes, and he'll make that big save in big moments because he's courageous and brave when coming off his goal line," said Lara, who has deployed a trio of players between the sticks during the early part of the campaign.
The Titans advanced into their own tournament final September 7 to face state power St. Patrick. Although they fell 1-0 on that Saturday afternoon, both Lara and Zenzola believe it was the best effort of the season thus far from the club.
"We emphasize team defense and organization," said Lara. "We held strong defensively against one of the best attacking teams in the state while also creating dangerous chances on the other end."
"I was real proud of our effort against St. Patrick," Zenzola said. "We had opportunities we were unable to finish, but we played really well against a top 10 team (no. 6 in this week's Chicagoland Soccer Top 25) which showed we can compete with the best."
The defensive mantra Lara and his staff has stressed begins with his forwards putting their opponents under pressure, his men in the middle of the park winning 50-50 first and second balls, and lastly the backline playing with composure and organization.
The Titans have bagged (15) goals thus far. Team leaders Danny Sergiev and Zach Ochab have netted four each.
"Danny is a lefty, who is skillful, and hits a great shot, just like Jimmy (McMahon) did for us last year. Zach is incredible with the ball on his foot," said Zenzola, who hopes to attend a Big 10 school next fall to major in Engineering.
McMahon, the 2019 Glanbrook South graduate mentioned by his former mate, was the Titans brilliant striker who scored 19 goals and 10 helpers in 2018 before going on to star on the court for the GBS basketball team.
"We obviously miss having Jimmy up-top for us. He is so hard to replace," begans Zenzola.
"But Danny, Zach and Justin Leszynski, who used his height so well for up there, have stepped up to help make up for the loss of McMahon."
With any quality side, the key to its success lies in its midfield, and Lara thinks the Titans are in good hands with Johvany Guadarrama.
"Johvany has been one of our most consistent players from the very start of the season," Lara said
"He provides terrific energy, grit and skill, his work rate and work ethic are way up there, but he does it all as a quiet leader."
Guadarrama, Noordover, Ochab, Zenzola and Julian Issar are all captains for the 2019 Titans.
Before its loss to Evanston, Maine South defeated Deerfield 2-1 on goals from John Cronnolly (60') and Giuliano Corazzina (65').
That win came three days after a grueling stretch where the Hawks played four games in six days at the St. Charles Invitational including midweek back-to-back game days.
against Glenbrook South
By Mike Garofola
Glenbrook South and Maine South meet in a game which is vital for both clubs in the Central Suburban League South Division title race Thursday in Park Ridge.
The host Hawks (4-3-1, 0-1-0) come into this contest in a mixed run of form after a 2-0 loss to division-leading Evanston on Tuesday. That made Dan States club 1-3-0 in its last four games.
The Titans (5-1-3, 0-0-1) earned a hard fought 1-1 draw with rival New Trier in their CSL South opener to put Reggie Lara's club on its front foot in advance of this evening.
"We're looking forward to playing Maine South. We expect a physical, close game, which should be amplified by the fact that we knocked them out of the playoffs last season in kicks," said Lara.
"This is a big week," added Titans senior Michael Zenzola, a key figure in a backline which has been stingy so far this season.
"Back-to-back divisional games, it's a chance for us to help ourselves out if we want to finish on top of the South at the end."
Zenzola, who wears a captain's armband for Lara, credits his backline mates for only seven goals conceded in nine games, as well as keeper Christian Noordover.
"Christian has been real solid," Zenzola said. "He comes off his line with confidence, cuts down balls coming into the box and plays the position like a keeper-sweeper.
Lara also praised his keeper.
"Christian rarely makes mistakes, and he'll make that big save in big moments because he's courageous and brave when coming off his goal line," said Lara, who has deployed a trio of players between the sticks during the early part of the campaign.
The Titans advanced into their own tournament final September 7 to face state power St. Patrick. Although they fell 1-0 on that Saturday afternoon, both Lara and Zenzola believe it was the best effort of the season thus far from the club.
"We emphasize team defense and organization," said Lara. "We held strong defensively against one of the best attacking teams in the state while also creating dangerous chances on the other end."
"I was real proud of our effort against St. Patrick," Zenzola said. "We had opportunities we were unable to finish, but we played really well against a top 10 team (no. 6 in this week's Chicagoland Soccer Top 25) which showed we can compete with the best."
The defensive mantra Lara and his staff has stressed begins with his forwards putting their opponents under pressure, his men in the middle of the park winning 50-50 first and second balls, and lastly the backline playing with composure and organization.
The Titans have bagged (15) goals thus far. Team leaders Danny Sergiev and Zach Ochab have netted four each.
"Danny is a lefty, who is skillful, and hits a great shot, just like Jimmy (McMahon) did for us last year. Zach is incredible with the ball on his foot," said Zenzola, who hopes to attend a Big 10 school next fall to major in Engineering.
McMahon, the 2019 Glanbrook South graduate mentioned by his former mate, was the Titans brilliant striker who scored 19 goals and 10 helpers in 2018 before going on to star on the court for the GBS basketball team.
"We obviously miss having Jimmy up-top for us. He is so hard to replace," begans Zenzola.
"But Danny, Zach and Justin Leszynski, who used his height so well for up there, have stepped up to help make up for the loss of McMahon."
With any quality side, the key to its success lies in its midfield, and Lara thinks the Titans are in good hands with Johvany Guadarrama.
"Johvany has been one of our most consistent players from the very start of the season," Lara said
"He provides terrific energy, grit and skill, his work rate and work ethic are way up there, but he does it all as a quiet leader."
Guadarrama, Noordover, Ochab, Zenzola and Julian Issar are all captains for the 2019 Titans.
Before its loss to Evanston, Maine South defeated Deerfield 2-1 on goals from John Cronnolly (60') and Giuliano Corazzina (65').
That win came three days after a grueling stretch where the Hawks played four games in six days at the St. Charles Invitational including midweek back-to-back game days.