Glenbard North given 'own'-ership
of win at Waubonsie Valley
Own-goal benefits Panthers in 1-0 nonconference win
By Mike Garofola
AURORA -- There are own-goals, and then there are own-goals that become game-winners
On a sunny Saturday afternoon, the only goal of the match cost Waubonsie Valley (1-3-1) and gave visiting Glenbard North (3-3-0) a nonconference 1-0 road victory.
"As a keeper, I can sympathize with the keeper. It's like your worst nightmare," began Glenbard North's brilliant keeper Martin Argirov.
"Those types of things are usually out of your control, and it's something you never want to see for yourself or your teammates. But it's part of the game, and for us today it helped us get a much-needed win."
After its 4-0 loss earlier in the week to Wheaton North, the Panthers’ hard-fought triumph was a balm for Argirov, teammate Tyler Nack and manager Spero Mandakas.
"It was anything but a pretty game; it was hardly Instagram worthy," Mandakas said with a wry smile.
"(It) was a good effort coming after our loss to Wheaton North.
"We're still not at full strength, but the guys went out and worked hard, especially in the second half when a lot of the play was in our end. That's what we'll build on from here."
Arigirov wasn’t the only player who sympathized with the Warriors.
“It (own goal) was a tough break for their keeper, but, for us, it was what we really needed to help us get going today," said Nack, who Mandakas praised along with his backline mate Christopher Arroyo for their fine work.
"Tyler stepped into the center back spot for us with (Mark) Szklarczyk out, and Arroyo did a really good job for us back there as well," said Mandakas
The first quarter saw both sides create a handful of half-chances. Neither team was as sharp as it needed to be in the final third to seriously challenge Argirov or his Waubonsie Valley counterpart Bryan Grimaldo.
A blameless Grimaldo could only watch in disbelief when a ball played back into his box spilled free and off one of his mates before nestling into the back of the net 20 minutes into the contest.
"That goal we gave up was tough,” said Waubonsie manager Jose Garcia. “It was a big mistake that we made in the back, but it was early enough for us to overcome. We just were not able to do so."
The goal inspired Glenbard North’s play, and the Panthers looked to add more to the scorebook before intermission.
With increased pressure, the Waubonsie Valley keeper did well to read potential danger when he came off his line to collect a nicely played angled ball in box from Luis Roman to Raul Pasillas at 24 minutes. He then cheered his defense when they blocked an attempt after Lucas Tran set Azael Nino Velazquez free in close.
Grimaldo was at it again once more when his 50-50 challenge on Pablo De La Cruz ended a Panthers threat in the 39th minute.
Zach Stanley, whom Garcia deployed in the center of the park during the first period, was pushed back into the center of his backline to open play after the break.
Stanley, who can easily play at any spot in Garcia's first 11, did well to help organize things in the back while providing quality distribution, which made an impact in a Waubonsie Valley attack that came to life in the second half.
He earned Chicagoland Soccer’s Man of the Match honor for his effort and impact on his team.
"In a perfect world, Zach is playing in the midfield, but he's so versatile, we can use him in a variety of ways to help us out," said Garcia.
Argirov was back at it for Glenbard North when he stopped a redirected header from Stanley off an Aaron Griffith corner at 44 minutes.
"Our passing and possession were so much better in the second half, and even though the final result didn't show it," said sophomore Gean Riberio Scarpell. “Our improvement from our last game (a 1-1 draw with Metea Valley) really showed.
"It's all about staying positive right now, because I know this team has a lot of talent, and it will begin to come together if we work hard."
With the Warriors now on their front feet, players such as Callum Keller, Alan Sanchez, Griffith and Riberio Scarpell were more active and creative in the offensive end.
Griffith was unable to connect on a trio of free kicks during a 10- minute span. Wedged in between Warriors’ charges, Nino Velazquez put a shot on that Grimaldo easily stopped.
The Waubonsie Valley manager pushed Stanley up-top to give the Warriors three forwards. However, Adrian Mehra, Keller and Stanley were unable to get anything of quality on frame.
"This was just our second time playing on grass after playing on turf before today. So the adjustment to the switch showed at times today," said Garcia.
"We moved the ball much better in the second half, and our effort was better as well. Our third pass was not as sharp as it needs to be in the final third, as well as our movement away from the ball."
Glenbard North hopes the win will the start of something good.
"Today's result was a real boost for our confidence," Argirov said. “It was a little difficult playing on grass today, but overall, we did well, especially in the second half when Tyler, and the rest of the backline defended really well."
"You work hard so your ready when your time comes, and I felt I was ready to go during my sophomore season.
"Our program was really fortunate to have coach Mandakas take over last year. He's everything you want in a coach.
"He can be tough, but very fair, and he runs great training sessions. He's the type of person who will do what it takes for his players.
"He puts his players out there for college coaches to see. He provides terrific training and warm-up gear, and he's the type of person you can go to with anything."
Mandakas knows what he has in his senior keeper.
"Martin has shown tremendous growth, not only in his technical ability but also his leadership skills," said Mandakas.
"He was voted captain a year ago despite us having a senior-laden team and did a great job with it."
Argirov is one of that special breed of keepers who is calm, excellent at communication and distribution, and superb in the air thanks to his near 6-foot-3 height, and long arms. He’s a brilliant shot-blocker, who is capable of making remarkable saves.
"I was 8 years old and playing defense, and our brand new coach lined us all up to see who could catch and pick the ball up with one hand," recounted Argirov.
"I was the only guy who could, so I became our keeper, and the rest, as it’s said, is history."
"Argirov, who admires the work of Daniel de Gea, of Manchester United and Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois plans on playing at the next level in the fall. He is interested in Division III schools North Park and Elmhurst as well as Division I UIC.
"Martin is a high-level player, and we're currently working on finalizing his college placement for him, but the NCAA dead period is not helping," says Mandakas.
"However, regardless of where he ends up, he is going to be an absolute steal for any college program lucky enough to get him."
Starting lineups
Glenbard North (4-3-3)
G- Martin Argirov
D- Christopher Arroyo
D- Tyler Nack
D- Ren Santillan
D- Steve Gospodinov
M- Raul Pasillas
M- Lucas Tran
M- Nathaniel Rodriguez
M- Pablo De La Cruz
F-Azael Nino Velazquez
F- Gabe Jurado
Waubonsie Valley (4-4-2)
G- Bryan Grimaldo
D- Joey Haddad
D- Adrien Mehra
D- Callum Keller
D- Kadin Freese
M- Zach Stanley
M- Gean Riberio Scarpell
M- Aaron Griffith
M- Javi Gonzalez
F- Yahir Rodriguez
F- Diego Carillo
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Zach Stanley, jr., MF/D, Waubonsie Valley
Referee: Kevin Walter
Scoring summary
First half
Glenbard North: (own goal) 18'
Second half
No scoring
of win at Waubonsie Valley
Own-goal benefits Panthers in 1-0 nonconference win
By Mike Garofola
AURORA -- There are own-goals, and then there are own-goals that become game-winners
On a sunny Saturday afternoon, the only goal of the match cost Waubonsie Valley (1-3-1) and gave visiting Glenbard North (3-3-0) a nonconference 1-0 road victory.
"As a keeper, I can sympathize with the keeper. It's like your worst nightmare," began Glenbard North's brilliant keeper Martin Argirov.
"Those types of things are usually out of your control, and it's something you never want to see for yourself or your teammates. But it's part of the game, and for us today it helped us get a much-needed win."
After its 4-0 loss earlier in the week to Wheaton North, the Panthers’ hard-fought triumph was a balm for Argirov, teammate Tyler Nack and manager Spero Mandakas.
"It was anything but a pretty game; it was hardly Instagram worthy," Mandakas said with a wry smile.
"(It) was a good effort coming after our loss to Wheaton North.
"We're still not at full strength, but the guys went out and worked hard, especially in the second half when a lot of the play was in our end. That's what we'll build on from here."
Arigirov wasn’t the only player who sympathized with the Warriors.
“It (own goal) was a tough break for their keeper, but, for us, it was what we really needed to help us get going today," said Nack, who Mandakas praised along with his backline mate Christopher Arroyo for their fine work.
"Tyler stepped into the center back spot for us with (Mark) Szklarczyk out, and Arroyo did a really good job for us back there as well," said Mandakas
The first quarter saw both sides create a handful of half-chances. Neither team was as sharp as it needed to be in the final third to seriously challenge Argirov or his Waubonsie Valley counterpart Bryan Grimaldo.
A blameless Grimaldo could only watch in disbelief when a ball played back into his box spilled free and off one of his mates before nestling into the back of the net 20 minutes into the contest.
"That goal we gave up was tough,” said Waubonsie manager Jose Garcia. “It was a big mistake that we made in the back, but it was early enough for us to overcome. We just were not able to do so."
The goal inspired Glenbard North’s play, and the Panthers looked to add more to the scorebook before intermission.
With increased pressure, the Waubonsie Valley keeper did well to read potential danger when he came off his line to collect a nicely played angled ball in box from Luis Roman to Raul Pasillas at 24 minutes. He then cheered his defense when they blocked an attempt after Lucas Tran set Azael Nino Velazquez free in close.
Grimaldo was at it again once more when his 50-50 challenge on Pablo De La Cruz ended a Panthers threat in the 39th minute.
Zach Stanley, whom Garcia deployed in the center of the park during the first period, was pushed back into the center of his backline to open play after the break.
Stanley, who can easily play at any spot in Garcia's first 11, did well to help organize things in the back while providing quality distribution, which made an impact in a Waubonsie Valley attack that came to life in the second half.
He earned Chicagoland Soccer’s Man of the Match honor for his effort and impact on his team.
"In a perfect world, Zach is playing in the midfield, but he's so versatile, we can use him in a variety of ways to help us out," said Garcia.
Argirov was back at it for Glenbard North when he stopped a redirected header from Stanley off an Aaron Griffith corner at 44 minutes.
"Our passing and possession were so much better in the second half, and even though the final result didn't show it," said sophomore Gean Riberio Scarpell. “Our improvement from our last game (a 1-1 draw with Metea Valley) really showed.
"It's all about staying positive right now, because I know this team has a lot of talent, and it will begin to come together if we work hard."
With the Warriors now on their front feet, players such as Callum Keller, Alan Sanchez, Griffith and Riberio Scarpell were more active and creative in the offensive end.
Griffith was unable to connect on a trio of free kicks during a 10- minute span. Wedged in between Warriors’ charges, Nino Velazquez put a shot on that Grimaldo easily stopped.
The Waubonsie Valley manager pushed Stanley up-top to give the Warriors three forwards. However, Adrian Mehra, Keller and Stanley were unable to get anything of quality on frame.
"This was just our second time playing on grass after playing on turf before today. So the adjustment to the switch showed at times today," said Garcia.
"We moved the ball much better in the second half, and our effort was better as well. Our third pass was not as sharp as it needs to be in the final third, as well as our movement away from the ball."
Glenbard North hopes the win will the start of something good.
"Today's result was a real boost for our confidence," Argirov said. “It was a little difficult playing on grass today, but overall, we did well, especially in the second half when Tyler, and the rest of the backline defended really well."
"You work hard so your ready when your time comes, and I felt I was ready to go during my sophomore season.
"Our program was really fortunate to have coach Mandakas take over last year. He's everything you want in a coach.
"He can be tough, but very fair, and he runs great training sessions. He's the type of person who will do what it takes for his players.
"He puts his players out there for college coaches to see. He provides terrific training and warm-up gear, and he's the type of person you can go to with anything."
Mandakas knows what he has in his senior keeper.
"Martin has shown tremendous growth, not only in his technical ability but also his leadership skills," said Mandakas.
"He was voted captain a year ago despite us having a senior-laden team and did a great job with it."
Argirov is one of that special breed of keepers who is calm, excellent at communication and distribution, and superb in the air thanks to his near 6-foot-3 height, and long arms. He’s a brilliant shot-blocker, who is capable of making remarkable saves.
"I was 8 years old and playing defense, and our brand new coach lined us all up to see who could catch and pick the ball up with one hand," recounted Argirov.
"I was the only guy who could, so I became our keeper, and the rest, as it’s said, is history."
"Argirov, who admires the work of Daniel de Gea, of Manchester United and Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois plans on playing at the next level in the fall. He is interested in Division III schools North Park and Elmhurst as well as Division I UIC.
"Martin is a high-level player, and we're currently working on finalizing his college placement for him, but the NCAA dead period is not helping," says Mandakas.
"However, regardless of where he ends up, he is going to be an absolute steal for any college program lucky enough to get him."
Starting lineups
Glenbard North (4-3-3)
G- Martin Argirov
D- Christopher Arroyo
D- Tyler Nack
D- Ren Santillan
D- Steve Gospodinov
M- Raul Pasillas
M- Lucas Tran
M- Nathaniel Rodriguez
M- Pablo De La Cruz
F-Azael Nino Velazquez
F- Gabe Jurado
Waubonsie Valley (4-4-2)
G- Bryan Grimaldo
D- Joey Haddad
D- Adrien Mehra
D- Callum Keller
D- Kadin Freese
M- Zach Stanley
M- Gean Riberio Scarpell
M- Aaron Griffith
M- Javi Gonzalez
F- Yahir Rodriguez
F- Diego Carillo
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Zach Stanley, jr., MF/D, Waubonsie Valley
Referee: Kevin Walter
Scoring summary
First half
Glenbard North: (own goal) 18'
Second half
No scoring