Scoreboard idle in DGS, Glenbard E. clash
Host Mustangs and Rams tie 0-0 in nonconference friendly
By Dave Owen
DOWNERS GROVE – An eventful week for Downers Grove South ended with a bit of a whimper Saturday.
In a seven-day stretch that began with an impressive 4-1 win over York and included a 1-1 tie with crosstown rival Downers Grove North, the Mustangs (4-6-3) closed the week with a less-eventful 0-0 draw with visiting Glenbard East (4-3-4).
“It didn’t click as much today as it did during the North game,” Mustangs senior defender Michael Beube said. “We were really fired up for that, and this was just sort of a reset, more laid back. We really need to come out stronger and harder than we did.”
Outside of a shot in the sixth minute by Glenbard East’s Thomas Satelo that grazed the crossbar and went over the net, the first 40 minutes were especially quiet on both sides.
“We weren’t particularly sharp,” Downers Grove South coach Jon Stapleton said. “I expected that in the third game (in five days) this week, and coming off North Thursday night.
“It didn’t surprise me, especially in the first half. We had moments, but it seemed the energy wasn’t quite the same.”
Glenbard East coach Josh Adler echoed those feelings and pulled no punches.
“Not a very good day of soccer for either side,” Adler said. “I’m sure Jon said the same thing. This is one to kind of forget about for both sides.
“It’s one of those games where a lot of it was played 30 to 30 today and nobody was being very dangerous from 18 to 12 yards from goal,” Adler added. “But this is one of those days you keep re-evaluating, and try to find those guys who are going to add a dimension to your team a little bit at this point of the year. Who has that sense of urgency to help your group move forward?”
Any offensive urgency Saturday was hushed by strong defensive play on both sides.
After Glenbard East’s early chance, Downers Grove South’s defense responded to every threat over the remainder of the day.
First half defensive highlights for Downers Grove South included Enrique Gonzalez’s header clear of a Rams free kick, and Alex Wielgosz’s nice end line defense to force attacker Sam Johnson off the ball and create a Mustangs goal kick.
Then in the 25th minute, Peter Pierropoulos first cleared a cross to the box, then blocked Satelo’s shot attempt to completely snuff out that threat.
“We were really strong in the back,” Beube said. “We made sure to work on all of our tackles, going hard. And then just covering for each other was a really good thing, especially our center backs sliding out to cover the ball when they got past us on that side.
“And our defensive midfielders covering center were very good, making sure they had to play to the sides so they (the Rams) couldn’t get a clean shot.”
Beube was not only a standout at defender, but a catalyst offensively as the Mustangs began to create more chances as the game progressed.
His throw-in 27 minutes in set up a Blazo Jovicevic cross to the back post that went just wide. Then in the 32nd minute, Beube’s 30-yard left side shot was saved by Rams goalkeeper Gerardo Galvez.
“I think defensively Michael Beube has played really well for us all year, and that continued here today,” Stapleton said of the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match.
“All year he’s been solid. I’d really highlight his play, not only defending but also finding himself in the attack, getting forward and being a threat at that end of the field as well.”
Downers Grove South closed the first half with a nice extra effort offensive play in the final 15 seconds. Forward Aaron Venouziou slid to win possession of the ball right of the net, regained his feet and sent a cross to the crease that Galvez knocked down and covered.
That play foreshadowed what would be a better offensive second half for the Mustangs.
“The second half was totally different,” Mustangs midfielder Alex Flores said. “We came out with a different mentality. The first half we kind of lagged it, but once coach brought us all in (at halftime), I thought we competed better and looked for the goal. Unfortunately we didn’t get it. But I feel we competed pretty well.”
Flores asserted himself with 35 minutes left, making an offensive zone interception 30 yards out to set up a chance that ended with a Rams clear out of the box.
Then with 31:05 to go, Flores initiated what would be the Mustangs’ biggest chance of the day.
Nice passes by Flores and then Stefano Espinoza sprung Maury Becerra for a great opportunity up the middle. But Rams goalkeeper Galvez slid out to make a nice kick save block of Becerra’s 8-yard shot and maintained the scoreless tie.
“Alex Flores is dangerous when he has the ball,” Stapleton said. “A couple opportunities he had to get in the box or get a service off, he created some opportunities for us.
“And Stefano started Thursday night and played really well, and I thought he came back and had a solid game again today.”
But the Glenbard East defense came up large in that potential game-deciding moment, and others.
“Gerardo (Galvez) plays net pretty well,” Adler said. “I thought he did a good job of managing things that came at him and kept things at bay.
“That’s what you need when you can’t produce things in front of their net. You need a goalkeeper who’s going to step up in situations and keep the ball from going into the back of the net.”
Downers Grove South continued its second half offensive improvement with 24:50 to play. Off a Beube throw-in, Kurt Bennett’s initial header try was cleared – and Becerra’s 30-yard long rebound high send resulted in a fingertip catch by Galvez.
Another restart with 21 minutes left held promise, but no payoff. Off a Mustangs free kick, Jonathan Flores’ 10-yard shot right of the goal was blocked by a Glenbard East defender, and Galvez covered the rebound.
“The second half was a little bit better,” Stapleton said. “But it just seemed like the time we got in the final third, a ball that should have been played to someone’s feet was played in the air.
“We just weren’t quite sharp on that final ball in the final third. But they (the Rams) also defended really well. They recovered very quickly a couple times when we had opportunities, and they closed very rapidly. Credit to them on that.”
Downers Grove South kept pushing to break the nil-nil deadlock.
With 16:55 left, Beube’s throw-in from 6 yards was headed just over the net by Jack Daly.
The Mustangs’ offense suffered a major blow when Becerra had to be helped off the field after reaggravating a leg injury on a foul with 9:38 to play. But the chances continued.
Espinoza’s 30-yard shot on the ensuing free kick was saved by Galvez.
Then after Downers Grove Southgoalkeeper Kenny Rosales responded with a save on a 28-yard Glenbard East shot with 8:05 to go, the Mustangs closed the match back on the offensive.
With 3:50 left, a Jovicevic pass to Espinoza resulted in a shot just over the net. Then with 1:05 to play, Wolgasz’s 25-yard shot off an Espinosa dish was denied on a low save by Galvez.
Finally, an Alex Flores throw-in with seconds remaining resulted in a Beube chip towards the goal -- and a Rams clear of the box as time expired.
“We’re playing pretty well,” Beube said. “Our passing is really nice, our combinations moving up the field. I think our biggest thing is just getting a good clean shot off. Once we start getting those and getting them on frame, hopefully we’ll come away with more goals.”
The impressive win over York a week earlier shows the Mustangs’ potential and confidence to achieve big things before 2018 is in the books.
“Definitely,” Beube said. “When we recognize it’s a really big game, we really get fired up and really get ready for the game. But this one it just didn’t really click that well.”
A long week of emotional games aside, the Mustangs seek more consistency.
“We’ve progressed,” Alex Flores said. “(York) was a really good win, the biggest win for us this season.
“Then we had a game Thursday when we came out strong. Today I feel like it wasn’t the same. We need to always come out with the same desire to come out and win.
“It’s tough mentally,” Flores added. “The emotions and everything Thursday (facing crosstown rival Downers Grove North), and now we come back Saturday morning. But that shouldn’t mean anything. We should come out every day and compete.”
While the 0-0 tie wasn’t ideal for either side, Adler enjoyed the chance for a nonconference showdown with the Mustangs.
“I always love playing Downers,” Adler said. “We’re always competitive groups, and always have a very even match. They’re well coached and hang in there with us.”
With the pivotal month of October upon us, Downers Grove South hopes to do more than hang in games the rest of the way.
“I feel like we’re picking it up good now at the end of the season,” Alex Flores said. “I think we’re catching on for the playoffs. I think we can make it far.”
Starting lineups
Glenbard East
GK: Gerardo Galvez
D: Angel Adan
D: Adler Joiner
D: Brandon Pineda
D: Robert Erickson
M: Ian Moran
M: Nick O’Brien
M: Alex Johnson
M: Gavin Wooldridge
F: Daniel Banuelos
F: Thomas Satelo
Downers Grove South
GK: Kenny Rosales
D: Michael Beube
D: Alex Wielgosz
D: Steven Mucha
D: Ethan Kelly
M: Stefano Espinosa
M: Enrique Gonzalez
M: Alex Flores
M: Jack Daly
F: Maury Becerra
F: Kurt Bennett
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Michael Beube, sr. D, Downers South
Scoring Summary
First half
None
Second half
None
Host Mustangs and Rams tie 0-0 in nonconference friendly
By Dave Owen
DOWNERS GROVE – An eventful week for Downers Grove South ended with a bit of a whimper Saturday.
In a seven-day stretch that began with an impressive 4-1 win over York and included a 1-1 tie with crosstown rival Downers Grove North, the Mustangs (4-6-3) closed the week with a less-eventful 0-0 draw with visiting Glenbard East (4-3-4).
“It didn’t click as much today as it did during the North game,” Mustangs senior defender Michael Beube said. “We were really fired up for that, and this was just sort of a reset, more laid back. We really need to come out stronger and harder than we did.”
Outside of a shot in the sixth minute by Glenbard East’s Thomas Satelo that grazed the crossbar and went over the net, the first 40 minutes were especially quiet on both sides.
“We weren’t particularly sharp,” Downers Grove South coach Jon Stapleton said. “I expected that in the third game (in five days) this week, and coming off North Thursday night.
“It didn’t surprise me, especially in the first half. We had moments, but it seemed the energy wasn’t quite the same.”
Glenbard East coach Josh Adler echoed those feelings and pulled no punches.
“Not a very good day of soccer for either side,” Adler said. “I’m sure Jon said the same thing. This is one to kind of forget about for both sides.
“It’s one of those games where a lot of it was played 30 to 30 today and nobody was being very dangerous from 18 to 12 yards from goal,” Adler added. “But this is one of those days you keep re-evaluating, and try to find those guys who are going to add a dimension to your team a little bit at this point of the year. Who has that sense of urgency to help your group move forward?”
Any offensive urgency Saturday was hushed by strong defensive play on both sides.
After Glenbard East’s early chance, Downers Grove South’s defense responded to every threat over the remainder of the day.
First half defensive highlights for Downers Grove South included Enrique Gonzalez’s header clear of a Rams free kick, and Alex Wielgosz’s nice end line defense to force attacker Sam Johnson off the ball and create a Mustangs goal kick.
Then in the 25th minute, Peter Pierropoulos first cleared a cross to the box, then blocked Satelo’s shot attempt to completely snuff out that threat.
“We were really strong in the back,” Beube said. “We made sure to work on all of our tackles, going hard. And then just covering for each other was a really good thing, especially our center backs sliding out to cover the ball when they got past us on that side.
“And our defensive midfielders covering center were very good, making sure they had to play to the sides so they (the Rams) couldn’t get a clean shot.”
Beube was not only a standout at defender, but a catalyst offensively as the Mustangs began to create more chances as the game progressed.
His throw-in 27 minutes in set up a Blazo Jovicevic cross to the back post that went just wide. Then in the 32nd minute, Beube’s 30-yard left side shot was saved by Rams goalkeeper Gerardo Galvez.
“I think defensively Michael Beube has played really well for us all year, and that continued here today,” Stapleton said of the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match.
“All year he’s been solid. I’d really highlight his play, not only defending but also finding himself in the attack, getting forward and being a threat at that end of the field as well.”
Downers Grove South closed the first half with a nice extra effort offensive play in the final 15 seconds. Forward Aaron Venouziou slid to win possession of the ball right of the net, regained his feet and sent a cross to the crease that Galvez knocked down and covered.
That play foreshadowed what would be a better offensive second half for the Mustangs.
“The second half was totally different,” Mustangs midfielder Alex Flores said. “We came out with a different mentality. The first half we kind of lagged it, but once coach brought us all in (at halftime), I thought we competed better and looked for the goal. Unfortunately we didn’t get it. But I feel we competed pretty well.”
Flores asserted himself with 35 minutes left, making an offensive zone interception 30 yards out to set up a chance that ended with a Rams clear out of the box.
Then with 31:05 to go, Flores initiated what would be the Mustangs’ biggest chance of the day.
Nice passes by Flores and then Stefano Espinoza sprung Maury Becerra for a great opportunity up the middle. But Rams goalkeeper Galvez slid out to make a nice kick save block of Becerra’s 8-yard shot and maintained the scoreless tie.
“Alex Flores is dangerous when he has the ball,” Stapleton said. “A couple opportunities he had to get in the box or get a service off, he created some opportunities for us.
“And Stefano started Thursday night and played really well, and I thought he came back and had a solid game again today.”
But the Glenbard East defense came up large in that potential game-deciding moment, and others.
“Gerardo (Galvez) plays net pretty well,” Adler said. “I thought he did a good job of managing things that came at him and kept things at bay.
“That’s what you need when you can’t produce things in front of their net. You need a goalkeeper who’s going to step up in situations and keep the ball from going into the back of the net.”
Downers Grove South continued its second half offensive improvement with 24:50 to play. Off a Beube throw-in, Kurt Bennett’s initial header try was cleared – and Becerra’s 30-yard long rebound high send resulted in a fingertip catch by Galvez.
Another restart with 21 minutes left held promise, but no payoff. Off a Mustangs free kick, Jonathan Flores’ 10-yard shot right of the goal was blocked by a Glenbard East defender, and Galvez covered the rebound.
“The second half was a little bit better,” Stapleton said. “But it just seemed like the time we got in the final third, a ball that should have been played to someone’s feet was played in the air.
“We just weren’t quite sharp on that final ball in the final third. But they (the Rams) also defended really well. They recovered very quickly a couple times when we had opportunities, and they closed very rapidly. Credit to them on that.”
Downers Grove South kept pushing to break the nil-nil deadlock.
With 16:55 left, Beube’s throw-in from 6 yards was headed just over the net by Jack Daly.
The Mustangs’ offense suffered a major blow when Becerra had to be helped off the field after reaggravating a leg injury on a foul with 9:38 to play. But the chances continued.
Espinoza’s 30-yard shot on the ensuing free kick was saved by Galvez.
Then after Downers Grove Southgoalkeeper Kenny Rosales responded with a save on a 28-yard Glenbard East shot with 8:05 to go, the Mustangs closed the match back on the offensive.
With 3:50 left, a Jovicevic pass to Espinoza resulted in a shot just over the net. Then with 1:05 to play, Wolgasz’s 25-yard shot off an Espinosa dish was denied on a low save by Galvez.
Finally, an Alex Flores throw-in with seconds remaining resulted in a Beube chip towards the goal -- and a Rams clear of the box as time expired.
“We’re playing pretty well,” Beube said. “Our passing is really nice, our combinations moving up the field. I think our biggest thing is just getting a good clean shot off. Once we start getting those and getting them on frame, hopefully we’ll come away with more goals.”
The impressive win over York a week earlier shows the Mustangs’ potential and confidence to achieve big things before 2018 is in the books.
“Definitely,” Beube said. “When we recognize it’s a really big game, we really get fired up and really get ready for the game. But this one it just didn’t really click that well.”
A long week of emotional games aside, the Mustangs seek more consistency.
“We’ve progressed,” Alex Flores said. “(York) was a really good win, the biggest win for us this season.
“Then we had a game Thursday when we came out strong. Today I feel like it wasn’t the same. We need to always come out with the same desire to come out and win.
“It’s tough mentally,” Flores added. “The emotions and everything Thursday (facing crosstown rival Downers Grove North), and now we come back Saturday morning. But that shouldn’t mean anything. We should come out every day and compete.”
While the 0-0 tie wasn’t ideal for either side, Adler enjoyed the chance for a nonconference showdown with the Mustangs.
“I always love playing Downers,” Adler said. “We’re always competitive groups, and always have a very even match. They’re well coached and hang in there with us.”
With the pivotal month of October upon us, Downers Grove South hopes to do more than hang in games the rest of the way.
“I feel like we’re picking it up good now at the end of the season,” Alex Flores said. “I think we’re catching on for the playoffs. I think we can make it far.”
Starting lineups
Glenbard East
GK: Gerardo Galvez
D: Angel Adan
D: Adler Joiner
D: Brandon Pineda
D: Robert Erickson
M: Ian Moran
M: Nick O’Brien
M: Alex Johnson
M: Gavin Wooldridge
F: Daniel Banuelos
F: Thomas Satelo
Downers Grove South
GK: Kenny Rosales
D: Michael Beube
D: Alex Wielgosz
D: Steven Mucha
D: Ethan Kelly
M: Stefano Espinosa
M: Enrique Gonzalez
M: Alex Flores
M: Jack Daly
F: Maury Becerra
F: Kurt Bennett
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Michael Beube, sr. D, Downers South
Scoring Summary
First half
None
Second half
None