Success sounds for WV vs. Glenbard N.
Warriors post resounding 3-0 home DVC victory
By Steve Nemeth
AURORA --- Daniel Fritz admitted to losing his balance before he fell to the ground, so he didn’t see his shot hit the back of the net, but he heard the cheers.
That was just one of many sounds of success associated with Waubonsie Valley soccer during Tuesday’s 3-0 victory over Glenbard North.
Fans arriving for the DuPage Valley Conference meeting either saw or heard the final scores heralding a comeback win for the late-starting Junior Varsity match with Glenbard North.
Then add a congratulatory announcement for the freshman team that captured the Lockport Porter Cup tourney title over the weekend.
Leading into the varsity showdown, JV team member Kevin Lopez belted out a smooth, but powerful a capella version of the national anthem.
In addition the music to Fritz’s ears were the spirited renditions of the Warrior Fight Song delivered by girls soccer team members on or around the Waubonsie Valley “sideline couch.”
Ultimately even the final horn sounded more triumphant after the Warriors' season record rose to 4-1-1 and their DuPage Valley Conference ledger grew to 2-0-0. Waubonsie Valley ranks in the honorable mention of the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, just two spots from climbing into the rankings.
There was also a matter-of-fact post-match analysis from Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match Charles Zehnal. The senior defender shrugged over helping the defense register a fourth shutout.
“As a center back, it’s my job to prevent them from getting to the goal,” Zehnal stated. “These first few wins are nice, but there’s a lot of season left. We need to stay humble until we achieve all we can.”
As fundamental as that statement is, it also sounds like a forewarning.
However, there were also no sounds of despair coming from visiting Glenbard North (2-3-2, 0-2-0) per head coach Gregg Koeller’s post-match team huddle.
“I told them I really liked our first 20 minutes and the last 20. We probably created more goal chances than we had in any previous match,” Koeller noted. “We gave up what we consider soft goals and when they got the third one, it could have been easy to just pack it in. Instead we fought. We hit a post, their goalie came up big. And they had some big defenders get in the way, but we got more aggressive.”
Glenbard North had the very first shot on goal, but it only needed an easy save from Waubonsie Valley starting keeper Vincent Rullo. His Panthers counterpart Sam Pauling had to tip one header wide but otherwise watched a few others sail high. There was 14:13 elapsed when Erik Lopez had a high-arching header for the visitors that came down on top of the Waubonsie Valley goal's netting.
The deadlock was broken at 19:34 as Fritz notched his initial goal of the season off Giacomo Parrino’s third assist of the campaign.
“I saw Giacomo on the left wing beating a defender and looking to cross it,” Fritz recalled. “I was a little off-balance and fell after kicking it, so I didn’t see it go in. But I heard the fans cheer and noticed teammates running toward me as I was getting up.
“The difference between scoring in practice versus a match is the fans,” Fritz added. “That’s what makes it mean more. For me individually, that was the first goal of hopefully many more.”
Waubonsie Valley had a variety of attempts from several players, but they were either high or wide. Glenbard North senior midfielder Best Emena cranked on a rocket shot only to have Zehnal absorb the blast. Emena had tremendous velocity on another shot from distance, but that rose from the start and was well over the cage.
There was only 3:12 remaining before halftime when Will Krutchen’s field vision led him to launch a pass upfield. Parrino ran onto it and applied the perfect touch for a chip that was over Pauling’s reach but managed to dip under the crossbar. It went into the books as Parrino’s second goal and Krutchen’s first assist for the season.
Shortly after intermission, Erik Lopez came close to cutting the deficit in half, but Rullo made a solid save. At the opposite end, freshman Martin Argirov took over in goal for Glenbard North. He and Pauling often split games.
With 53:46 gone, Waubonsie Valley added to its lead when Rogello Grimaldo parked his team-high fourth goal off Noah Glorioso’s first assist of the season.
Glenbard North tried to answer but senior forward Josh Lopez was rejected by Rullo. The attacker intended to strike a putback when the Warriors stole the ball for a counterattack. That led to a Mitch Mueller direct kick from the left wing that had a wicked curve and caromed off the left post.
That’s when Glenbard North’s offense went to a higher gear. Emena dribbled his way past a pair of Warriors for a cannon volley from the right side that ricocheted off the left post. Rullo batted away another hard shot and then covered a put-back effort. Junior Rohan Hindia came on to relieve Rullo for the final 10 minutes. The Warriors back-up also made a couple major saves to mark the second-consecutive match that he combined with Rullo for a clean-sheet.
It's sophomore Rullo’s inaugural year as a varsity starter, something Zehnal and the backline are well aware of.
“Having been in that role of being a sophomore starting, I understand the pressure he’s under or perhaps puts on himself,” Zehnal said. “Will (Krutchen) and I want to help bring the outside backs (Ryan Sanchez and Brandon Garduno) along in regard to developing good communication and chemistry with Rullo.”
Waubonsie coach Jose Garcia is particularly pleased with the Warriors’ growth. The Warriors had a 27-16 advantage for overall attempts and a 13-7 edge in shots on goal.
“They’ve really started to figure it out, both individually and as a unit. They’re all seeing the bigger picture,” Garcia said. “They’ve continued to get better at connecting possessions. Guys are reading each other more throughout the field. When we connect the middle with the wings, we create chances.
“Daniel (Fritz) is a real good example of someone picking it up. Each game out, he’s playing better and smarter for someone in his first year at the varsity level.”
Glenbard North’s stronger half was after intermission.
“I really thought Best as a handful,” Koeller said. “He was a little unlucky on two or three shots, but I’m convinced the goals will come for him. And Ode (Emena) was strong in back for us as well. As a team, they’re getting wiser, but unfortunately we can’t make them bigger physically.”
That’s an area that Best Emena also noted.
“It’s important we play strong physically and mentally," said the senior midfielder. “For some of our players, if they’re unprepared and the mental level is not there, they’re physical game drops as well. I felt good about several of the opportunities, but I would have liked to have scored off them.”
Glenbard North returns home for a nonconference rivalry match with Glenbard South followed by a trio of home DVC contests.
Waubonsie Valley hits the road this weekend for the Pretzel Invitational at Freeport High School. The Warriors are scheduled to face McHenry, 14th-ranked Barrington and and the host school.
Starting lineups
Glenbard North
GK Sam Pauling
D Danny Le
D Evan Scott
D Ode Emena
D Ben Solano
M Anthony Martinez
M Erik Lopez
M Best Emena
M Jesse Aragon
F Fabrizio Guajardo
F Brian Dasso
Waubonsie Valley
GK Vincent Rullo
D Ryan Sanchez
D Will Krutchen
D Charles Zehnal
D Brandon Garduno
M Noah Glorioso
M Mitch Mueller
M Daniel Fritz
M Rogello Grimaldo
F Giacomo Perrino
F Stephan Spano
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Charles Zehnal, sr. D, Waubonsie Valley
Officials: Zach Richter (center), Miguel Chavez, Henri Lewin
Game summary
Waubonsie Valley 3, Glenbard North 0
Glenbard North 0 0 -- 0 2-3-2 (DVC: 0-2-0)
Waubonsie Valley 2 1 -- 3 4-1-1 (DVC: 2-0-0)
Scoring
WV – Fritz seven-yard volley off a cross (Parrino assist), 19:34 gone
WV – Parrino 18-yard chip shot off breakaway (Krutchen assist), 36:48 gone
WV – Grimaldo eight-yard blast from middle (Glorioso assist), 53:46 gone
Shots
GN 7 – 9 -- 16
WV 15 – 12 -- 27
Shots on goal
GN 2 – 5 -- 7
WV 7 – 6 -- 13
Saves(goalie)
GN 10 (Pauling 5, Argirov 5)
WV 7 (Rullo 5, 2–3), (Hindia 2)
Corner kicks
GN 1 – 1 -- 2
WV 5 – 2 -- 7
Offsides
GN 2 - 0 -- 2
WV 7 – 1 -- 8
Warriors post resounding 3-0 home DVC victory
By Steve Nemeth
AURORA --- Daniel Fritz admitted to losing his balance before he fell to the ground, so he didn’t see his shot hit the back of the net, but he heard the cheers.
That was just one of many sounds of success associated with Waubonsie Valley soccer during Tuesday’s 3-0 victory over Glenbard North.
Fans arriving for the DuPage Valley Conference meeting either saw or heard the final scores heralding a comeback win for the late-starting Junior Varsity match with Glenbard North.
Then add a congratulatory announcement for the freshman team that captured the Lockport Porter Cup tourney title over the weekend.
Leading into the varsity showdown, JV team member Kevin Lopez belted out a smooth, but powerful a capella version of the national anthem.
In addition the music to Fritz’s ears were the spirited renditions of the Warrior Fight Song delivered by girls soccer team members on or around the Waubonsie Valley “sideline couch.”
Ultimately even the final horn sounded more triumphant after the Warriors' season record rose to 4-1-1 and their DuPage Valley Conference ledger grew to 2-0-0. Waubonsie Valley ranks in the honorable mention of the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, just two spots from climbing into the rankings.
There was also a matter-of-fact post-match analysis from Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match Charles Zehnal. The senior defender shrugged over helping the defense register a fourth shutout.
“As a center back, it’s my job to prevent them from getting to the goal,” Zehnal stated. “These first few wins are nice, but there’s a lot of season left. We need to stay humble until we achieve all we can.”
As fundamental as that statement is, it also sounds like a forewarning.
However, there were also no sounds of despair coming from visiting Glenbard North (2-3-2, 0-2-0) per head coach Gregg Koeller’s post-match team huddle.
“I told them I really liked our first 20 minutes and the last 20. We probably created more goal chances than we had in any previous match,” Koeller noted. “We gave up what we consider soft goals and when they got the third one, it could have been easy to just pack it in. Instead we fought. We hit a post, their goalie came up big. And they had some big defenders get in the way, but we got more aggressive.”
Glenbard North had the very first shot on goal, but it only needed an easy save from Waubonsie Valley starting keeper Vincent Rullo. His Panthers counterpart Sam Pauling had to tip one header wide but otherwise watched a few others sail high. There was 14:13 elapsed when Erik Lopez had a high-arching header for the visitors that came down on top of the Waubonsie Valley goal's netting.
The deadlock was broken at 19:34 as Fritz notched his initial goal of the season off Giacomo Parrino’s third assist of the campaign.
“I saw Giacomo on the left wing beating a defender and looking to cross it,” Fritz recalled. “I was a little off-balance and fell after kicking it, so I didn’t see it go in. But I heard the fans cheer and noticed teammates running toward me as I was getting up.
“The difference between scoring in practice versus a match is the fans,” Fritz added. “That’s what makes it mean more. For me individually, that was the first goal of hopefully many more.”
Waubonsie Valley had a variety of attempts from several players, but they were either high or wide. Glenbard North senior midfielder Best Emena cranked on a rocket shot only to have Zehnal absorb the blast. Emena had tremendous velocity on another shot from distance, but that rose from the start and was well over the cage.
There was only 3:12 remaining before halftime when Will Krutchen’s field vision led him to launch a pass upfield. Parrino ran onto it and applied the perfect touch for a chip that was over Pauling’s reach but managed to dip under the crossbar. It went into the books as Parrino’s second goal and Krutchen’s first assist for the season.
Shortly after intermission, Erik Lopez came close to cutting the deficit in half, but Rullo made a solid save. At the opposite end, freshman Martin Argirov took over in goal for Glenbard North. He and Pauling often split games.
With 53:46 gone, Waubonsie Valley added to its lead when Rogello Grimaldo parked his team-high fourth goal off Noah Glorioso’s first assist of the season.
Glenbard North tried to answer but senior forward Josh Lopez was rejected by Rullo. The attacker intended to strike a putback when the Warriors stole the ball for a counterattack. That led to a Mitch Mueller direct kick from the left wing that had a wicked curve and caromed off the left post.
That’s when Glenbard North’s offense went to a higher gear. Emena dribbled his way past a pair of Warriors for a cannon volley from the right side that ricocheted off the left post. Rullo batted away another hard shot and then covered a put-back effort. Junior Rohan Hindia came on to relieve Rullo for the final 10 minutes. The Warriors back-up also made a couple major saves to mark the second-consecutive match that he combined with Rullo for a clean-sheet.
It's sophomore Rullo’s inaugural year as a varsity starter, something Zehnal and the backline are well aware of.
“Having been in that role of being a sophomore starting, I understand the pressure he’s under or perhaps puts on himself,” Zehnal said. “Will (Krutchen) and I want to help bring the outside backs (Ryan Sanchez and Brandon Garduno) along in regard to developing good communication and chemistry with Rullo.”
Waubonsie coach Jose Garcia is particularly pleased with the Warriors’ growth. The Warriors had a 27-16 advantage for overall attempts and a 13-7 edge in shots on goal.
“They’ve really started to figure it out, both individually and as a unit. They’re all seeing the bigger picture,” Garcia said. “They’ve continued to get better at connecting possessions. Guys are reading each other more throughout the field. When we connect the middle with the wings, we create chances.
“Daniel (Fritz) is a real good example of someone picking it up. Each game out, he’s playing better and smarter for someone in his first year at the varsity level.”
Glenbard North’s stronger half was after intermission.
“I really thought Best as a handful,” Koeller said. “He was a little unlucky on two or three shots, but I’m convinced the goals will come for him. And Ode (Emena) was strong in back for us as well. As a team, they’re getting wiser, but unfortunately we can’t make them bigger physically.”
That’s an area that Best Emena also noted.
“It’s important we play strong physically and mentally," said the senior midfielder. “For some of our players, if they’re unprepared and the mental level is not there, they’re physical game drops as well. I felt good about several of the opportunities, but I would have liked to have scored off them.”
Glenbard North returns home for a nonconference rivalry match with Glenbard South followed by a trio of home DVC contests.
Waubonsie Valley hits the road this weekend for the Pretzel Invitational at Freeport High School. The Warriors are scheduled to face McHenry, 14th-ranked Barrington and and the host school.
Starting lineups
Glenbard North
GK Sam Pauling
D Danny Le
D Evan Scott
D Ode Emena
D Ben Solano
M Anthony Martinez
M Erik Lopez
M Best Emena
M Jesse Aragon
F Fabrizio Guajardo
F Brian Dasso
Waubonsie Valley
GK Vincent Rullo
D Ryan Sanchez
D Will Krutchen
D Charles Zehnal
D Brandon Garduno
M Noah Glorioso
M Mitch Mueller
M Daniel Fritz
M Rogello Grimaldo
F Giacomo Perrino
F Stephan Spano
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Charles Zehnal, sr. D, Waubonsie Valley
Officials: Zach Richter (center), Miguel Chavez, Henri Lewin
Game summary
Waubonsie Valley 3, Glenbard North 0
Glenbard North 0 0 -- 0 2-3-2 (DVC: 0-2-0)
Waubonsie Valley 2 1 -- 3 4-1-1 (DVC: 2-0-0)
Scoring
WV – Fritz seven-yard volley off a cross (Parrino assist), 19:34 gone
WV – Parrino 18-yard chip shot off breakaway (Krutchen assist), 36:48 gone
WV – Grimaldo eight-yard blast from middle (Glorioso assist), 53:46 gone
Shots
GN 7 – 9 -- 16
WV 15 – 12 -- 27
Shots on goal
GN 2 – 5 -- 7
WV 7 – 6 -- 13
Saves(goalie)
GN 10 (Pauling 5, Argirov 5)
WV 7 (Rullo 5, 2–3), (Hindia 2)
Corner kicks
GN 1 – 1 -- 2
WV 5 – 2 -- 7
Offsides
GN 2 - 0 -- 2
WV 7 – 1 -- 8