Clang! Clang! Clang! Another 1 hits
the post! Geneva ties Proviso West
Teams combine to bang 6 shots off posts/crossbars in 0-0 draw
By Bobby Narang
ADDISON — An unlucky trend started to emerge early in Geneva’s third place game against Proviso West on Saturday morning.
In the first 12 minutes, the Vikings attacked the Panthers’ backline, setting the tone for a possible big game with several quality shot attempts.
The Vikings passed the ball with efficiency and played with energy and purpose on a steamy late morning game.
But something odd started happening.
The Vikings’ first four shots kept finding two particular spots. It didn’t matter who attempted the shot — mainly Trent Giansanti or Sam Seykora — but the ball either smacked off the crossbar or the post.
When you add in Proviso West, the first five shot attempts of the game found metal.
After the fifth occurred, the public address announcer barked out “You have got to be kidding me now, another ball hit the post.”
In the end, the strange start indicated a sign of things to come in the steamy third place game of the 11th-annual Joe Novy Classic at Addison Trail High School.
The Vikings and Panthers hooked up for a scoreless draw to cap a long and frustrating 80-minute match.
In a cruel irony, Proviso West’s final shot of the game — a free kick from 40 yards — clanged off the cross bar with 62 seconds remaining.
In addition, the Vikings’ second-to-last shot of the first half, which came off the foot of Seykora, hit the football goal post.
One by one, the Vikings made a quick exit for the bus following a short postgame discussion. Geneva senior forward Genel Jaffer joked his team will probably pay for the draw at practice next week.
“We definitely should’ve put some of the shots away,” Jaffer said. “We had a lot of shots. We’ve got to really work on finishing and playing outside the box and finishing those shots. I had a couple of shots but couldn’t make it.
“At first, it was funny we had so many shots hit the post or cross bar. We had so many shots. I was surprised. It was frustrating. We’re definitely running after this. We have a hard week coming up.”
Early this season, Geneva coach Jason Bhatta said the draw is a theme for his team.
The Vikings (2-0-4) have tied their last four matches, including a 1-1 decision vs. Hersey, which is ranked 23rd in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. Three results in the streak have been scoreless ties in Novy action.
“It was frustrating,” he said. “We had a lot of control in the game and clearly had chances. We had six-to-seven, clear-cut chances. As a team, we’re struggling a bit in front of the net. We have to have better instincts or an eye for the goal. They will eventually come, but right now it’s not happening.
“Our build-up was good, but their keeper made some great saves. He had several on one-on-ones and breakaways. The good thing is we’re putting ourselves in good spots. The bad thing is we’re not finishing. I feel the team is playing well and taking on ideas we’ve implemented in training. We’re getting into good spots. We just need to finish.”
Perhaps sensing luck was on his side early in the match, Proviso West junior goalie Ernesto Guzman played at a high level. The first-year starter had nine saves by halftime and finished with 17 stops. He added to Geneva’s misery with numerous inspiring saves in the best game of his young career.
Guzman recorded two saves in a five-second span in the 15th minute, added a diving grab in the 17th minute and had a sprawling finger-tip-extension stop in the 32nd minute. The final of his pre-intermission stops was a nice denial of a close-in attempt from Giansanti in the 39th minute.
“It was crazy at first, because they had a lot of shots on target,” Guzman said. “I just tried to focus on the game and tried to help us win. It was crazy at the start. We definitely had luck on our side. I started feeling good after I finally got a couple of saves and into the rhythm of the game. For me, I just tried to have fun and play the game.”
Proviso West senior defender Cesar Amaya said the Panthers (2-1-2) missed numerous opportunities to notch a potential win.
“They put a lot of pressure on us,” Amaya said. “Both teams had a lot of chances to win the game. Ultimately, it was a good battle between both of us. It was a frustrating game. Our goalie and defense played amazing games. Our finishing could’ve been better. We didn’t win, but I’m still proud of my team.”
Proviso West coach Carlos Villanueva credited Guzman for his incredible effort against Geneva’s offensive onslaught.
“Ernesto can always do it when he’s up to his capabilities,” he said. “It’s amazing what’s possible for him. He hasn’t hit his ceiling yet. I’m happy, because I know the quality team Geneva has. For us, it’s a quality draw, and I’ll accept it.”
Geneva goalie Matt Towler, who was named to the all-tournament team, had a cleaner jersey than his counterpart after five saves. Towler’s strong play in the net helped the Vikings reach the third place game. Standing away from the action for most of the 80 minutes, Towler said he appreciated Guzman’s stellar effort from a distance.
“I was happy for him,” Towler said of Guzman. “He made some great saves. Also, I was very disappointed we were not putting some of those away. Being a keeper, I felt good for him.
“We played well but the finishing aspect was rough. I don’t even know what to think about this game. It was a rough day. We have to do better in the final third. This season I came in with a good mindset and trusted my center backs and outside backs. That’s been the biggest part of my game.”
Bhatta praised his keeper for another solid performance. Geneva’s defense has been incredibly stingy.
“Matt Towler played great for us in this tournament,” he said. “We’ve only given up one goal on the year, and he’s been instrumental in that. He’s played great.”
For their efforts, the keepers split the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honor.
Starting lineups
Proviso West
GK: Ernesto Guzman
D: Cristobal Villasano Jr.
D: Christian Ohazurume
D: Cesar Amaya
D: Christopher Meraz
MF: Isaac Macias
MF: Eliel Gutierrez
MF: Gustavo Herrera Jr.
MF: Alejandro Montiel Romero
F: Jayden Farley
F: Alfredo Nevarez
Geneva
GK: Matt Towler
D: Carter Konkey
D: Luke Easter
D: Nathan Branstad
D: Ben Schuemer
MF: Peyton Friedman
MF: Gabe Boivin
MF: Colin Hasty
MF: Trent Giansanti
F: Jack Hatton
F: Sam Seykora
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match:
Ernesto Guzman, jr., GK, Proviso West
Matt Towler, sr., GK, Geneva
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
No scoring
the post! Geneva ties Proviso West
Teams combine to bang 6 shots off posts/crossbars in 0-0 draw
By Bobby Narang
ADDISON — An unlucky trend started to emerge early in Geneva’s third place game against Proviso West on Saturday morning.
In the first 12 minutes, the Vikings attacked the Panthers’ backline, setting the tone for a possible big game with several quality shot attempts.
The Vikings passed the ball with efficiency and played with energy and purpose on a steamy late morning game.
But something odd started happening.
The Vikings’ first four shots kept finding two particular spots. It didn’t matter who attempted the shot — mainly Trent Giansanti or Sam Seykora — but the ball either smacked off the crossbar or the post.
When you add in Proviso West, the first five shot attempts of the game found metal.
After the fifth occurred, the public address announcer barked out “You have got to be kidding me now, another ball hit the post.”
In the end, the strange start indicated a sign of things to come in the steamy third place game of the 11th-annual Joe Novy Classic at Addison Trail High School.
The Vikings and Panthers hooked up for a scoreless draw to cap a long and frustrating 80-minute match.
In a cruel irony, Proviso West’s final shot of the game — a free kick from 40 yards — clanged off the cross bar with 62 seconds remaining.
In addition, the Vikings’ second-to-last shot of the first half, which came off the foot of Seykora, hit the football goal post.
One by one, the Vikings made a quick exit for the bus following a short postgame discussion. Geneva senior forward Genel Jaffer joked his team will probably pay for the draw at practice next week.
“We definitely should’ve put some of the shots away,” Jaffer said. “We had a lot of shots. We’ve got to really work on finishing and playing outside the box and finishing those shots. I had a couple of shots but couldn’t make it.
“At first, it was funny we had so many shots hit the post or cross bar. We had so many shots. I was surprised. It was frustrating. We’re definitely running after this. We have a hard week coming up.”
Early this season, Geneva coach Jason Bhatta said the draw is a theme for his team.
The Vikings (2-0-4) have tied their last four matches, including a 1-1 decision vs. Hersey, which is ranked 23rd in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25. Three results in the streak have been scoreless ties in Novy action.
“It was frustrating,” he said. “We had a lot of control in the game and clearly had chances. We had six-to-seven, clear-cut chances. As a team, we’re struggling a bit in front of the net. We have to have better instincts or an eye for the goal. They will eventually come, but right now it’s not happening.
“Our build-up was good, but their keeper made some great saves. He had several on one-on-ones and breakaways. The good thing is we’re putting ourselves in good spots. The bad thing is we’re not finishing. I feel the team is playing well and taking on ideas we’ve implemented in training. We’re getting into good spots. We just need to finish.”
Perhaps sensing luck was on his side early in the match, Proviso West junior goalie Ernesto Guzman played at a high level. The first-year starter had nine saves by halftime and finished with 17 stops. He added to Geneva’s misery with numerous inspiring saves in the best game of his young career.
Guzman recorded two saves in a five-second span in the 15th minute, added a diving grab in the 17th minute and had a sprawling finger-tip-extension stop in the 32nd minute. The final of his pre-intermission stops was a nice denial of a close-in attempt from Giansanti in the 39th minute.
“It was crazy at first, because they had a lot of shots on target,” Guzman said. “I just tried to focus on the game and tried to help us win. It was crazy at the start. We definitely had luck on our side. I started feeling good after I finally got a couple of saves and into the rhythm of the game. For me, I just tried to have fun and play the game.”
Proviso West senior defender Cesar Amaya said the Panthers (2-1-2) missed numerous opportunities to notch a potential win.
“They put a lot of pressure on us,” Amaya said. “Both teams had a lot of chances to win the game. Ultimately, it was a good battle between both of us. It was a frustrating game. Our goalie and defense played amazing games. Our finishing could’ve been better. We didn’t win, but I’m still proud of my team.”
Proviso West coach Carlos Villanueva credited Guzman for his incredible effort against Geneva’s offensive onslaught.
“Ernesto can always do it when he’s up to his capabilities,” he said. “It’s amazing what’s possible for him. He hasn’t hit his ceiling yet. I’m happy, because I know the quality team Geneva has. For us, it’s a quality draw, and I’ll accept it.”
Geneva goalie Matt Towler, who was named to the all-tournament team, had a cleaner jersey than his counterpart after five saves. Towler’s strong play in the net helped the Vikings reach the third place game. Standing away from the action for most of the 80 minutes, Towler said he appreciated Guzman’s stellar effort from a distance.
“I was happy for him,” Towler said of Guzman. “He made some great saves. Also, I was very disappointed we were not putting some of those away. Being a keeper, I felt good for him.
“We played well but the finishing aspect was rough. I don’t even know what to think about this game. It was a rough day. We have to do better in the final third. This season I came in with a good mindset and trusted my center backs and outside backs. That’s been the biggest part of my game.”
Bhatta praised his keeper for another solid performance. Geneva’s defense has been incredibly stingy.
“Matt Towler played great for us in this tournament,” he said. “We’ve only given up one goal on the year, and he’s been instrumental in that. He’s played great.”
For their efforts, the keepers split the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honor.
Starting lineups
Proviso West
GK: Ernesto Guzman
D: Cristobal Villasano Jr.
D: Christian Ohazurume
D: Cesar Amaya
D: Christopher Meraz
MF: Isaac Macias
MF: Eliel Gutierrez
MF: Gustavo Herrera Jr.
MF: Alejandro Montiel Romero
F: Jayden Farley
F: Alfredo Nevarez
Geneva
GK: Matt Towler
D: Carter Konkey
D: Luke Easter
D: Nathan Branstad
D: Ben Schuemer
MF: Peyton Friedman
MF: Gabe Boivin
MF: Colin Hasty
MF: Trent Giansanti
F: Jack Hatton
F: Sam Seykora
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match:
Ernesto Guzman, jr., GK, Proviso West
Matt Towler, sr., GK, Geneva
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
No scoring