Glenbard North works
way to win over Fenwick
Panthers extend unbeaten skein to 3 games with 2-0 win
By Bobby Narang
SCHAUMBURG — Glenbard North’s Ran Santillan is part of an unsung group.
As a senior defender, Santillan understands his position is not a glamorous one. He prefers to focus on his job, helping keep the backline steady to build momentum for a memorable season and then playoff run.
The Panthers have all the pieces to accomplish that task. Sparked by a strong fan base, they have expectations for a special season. Santillan, a team captain, said the Panthers’ community is driving the team this fall to maximize their overall talents, especially after posting three losing records in the last four seasons.
“We have great support from the fans, teachers and the whole school,” he said. “We can go anywhere with effort and passion for the sport.”
The Panthers took a step forward in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Fenwick in the first round of the PepsiCo Showdown at Olympic Park.
Glenbard North scored two goals in the second half to win the spirited match, which included a yellow card for each team in the final 40 minutes. Coach Spero Mandakas said he was pleased how his players responded in the physical, no-holds-barred type match which included plenty of chatter.
“It got a little chippy in the beginning, and we had to keep our heads,” Mandakas said. “We had a little stretch in the first 20 minutes where we kind of took control of the game and played with quality. But it was 0-0 at half, and we had to keep pressing.
“We were effective on our set pieces. My backline played well. It was good shutout after giving up one goal early against Geneva the other day, so putting together about 130 minutes of shutout. They were up in the attack all day, so it was great to see them jelling as a unit.”
Glenbard North goalie Stavros Veremis, dressed in all-pink from head to toe, recorded the shutout but had a pretty lonely second half. He finished with five first half saves, but the Friars (4-2-1) failed to threaten much in the final half. The Panthers’ backline — Santillan, Diego Chicas, Chris Arroyo and Steve Gospodinov — played solid throughout the steamy late afternoon match and helped contribute opportunities on the other end.
“It was a well-deserved win,” Santillan said. We were more physical than the other team. We were prepared for this game because of our conference. We had a lot of control on the field. I was happy with that. I think we had more passion for the tournament and to play the next game.
“I’m happy we created a lot of chances. We were mostly in the attacking.”
After Fenwick missed several chances to score in the first half, the Panthers opened the second half with more vigor and started wearing down the Friars.
Panthers sophomore midfielder Christian Escobedo missed two quality chances in a 60-second span starting in the 48th minute. The spurt included a shot wide left from 15 yards that caused him to shake his head in frustration.
Gospodinov finally broke the ice, knocking in a header into the near post from 13 yards in the 58th minute. That caused a wave of emotions on the field due to the long scoreless period in the physical and verbal match.
“I saw that the ball was coming in, made a run to the box and made sure I made a head on it, and it went it,” Gospodinov said. “It felt really good, especially after we fought for all that.
“We had a lot of positives, played well, communicated and passed well. It was a tough start, but got back together and made some good runs. I think we can have a very good record this year and perform well in the playoffs.”
Twelve minutes later, Azael Velazquez provided some breathing room for the Panthers with his fourth goal of the season, scoring off an assist from Escobedo in the 70th minute to deflate the Friars.
“When (Escobedo) made the pass, I was open and one of my teammates cleared the space, allowing me to get the goal,” Velazquez said. "It was fast and physical, but we had good communication and had fun in the game. I’m happy with this (win).”
Fenwick senior defender Zach Hernandez said he’s adjusted to his new starting role after coming off the bench last season. Hernandez said the Friars made a few mental mistakes that cost them Saturday.
“We have to match that energy and be on top of their man and not allow crosses,” he said. “We needed to step up more.
“I didn't really know much about (Glenbard North). But I knew they were a fast team. That second goal really hurt. They were dribbling across the 18-yard box, and it went up to the corner. I went up there to close him out and attempted to block the cross, but it went right between my legs.”
Fenwick midfielder and first-year starter Lucas Garcia said Glenbard North was a good test that will only help the Friars in the long run.
“They were a bigger and much faster team, so we really need to bring it physically,” Garcia said. “In a short field like this, they were much faster and bigger, and we need to work around that.
“Glenbard North was very good on the ball, and their passing was very good. They open up the field a lot, sending through-balls and able to get off their man on every single corner.”
On Sunday, the Panthers (3-2-2) advanced to meet Elk Grove, a 3-2 winner over Washington on the tournament’s opening day. Glenbard North came up on the short end of a 3-1 score
Fenwick hopes it started a new winning streak with a 3-1 win over Mather.
Starting lineups
Fenwick
GK Greg Price
D Zach Hernandez
D James Zimmer
D Will Zimmer
D Evan Hickman
M Luigi Mollo
M Lucas Garcia
M Jack Powers
M Ryan Bero
F Frank Felice
F Will Jancewicz
Glenbard North
G Stavros Veremis
D Chris Arroyo
D Ren Santillan
D Diego Chicas
D Steve Gospodinov
M Lucas Tran
M Ayan Sheik
M Luis Roman
F Calvin Muciek
F Carlos Villagrana
F Adam Solorio
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Steve Gospodinov, Glenbard North, sr., D
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Glenbard North — Steve Gospodinov (Chris Arroyo) 58th minute
Glenbard North — Azael Velazquez (Christian Escobedo) 70th minute
ve Gospodinov, Glenbard North, sr., D
way to win over Fenwick
Panthers extend unbeaten skein to 3 games with 2-0 win
By Bobby Narang
SCHAUMBURG — Glenbard North’s Ran Santillan is part of an unsung group.
As a senior defender, Santillan understands his position is not a glamorous one. He prefers to focus on his job, helping keep the backline steady to build momentum for a memorable season and then playoff run.
The Panthers have all the pieces to accomplish that task. Sparked by a strong fan base, they have expectations for a special season. Santillan, a team captain, said the Panthers’ community is driving the team this fall to maximize their overall talents, especially after posting three losing records in the last four seasons.
“We have great support from the fans, teachers and the whole school,” he said. “We can go anywhere with effort and passion for the sport.”
The Panthers took a step forward in Saturday’s 2-0 victory over Fenwick in the first round of the PepsiCo Showdown at Olympic Park.
Glenbard North scored two goals in the second half to win the spirited match, which included a yellow card for each team in the final 40 minutes. Coach Spero Mandakas said he was pleased how his players responded in the physical, no-holds-barred type match which included plenty of chatter.
“It got a little chippy in the beginning, and we had to keep our heads,” Mandakas said. “We had a little stretch in the first 20 minutes where we kind of took control of the game and played with quality. But it was 0-0 at half, and we had to keep pressing.
“We were effective on our set pieces. My backline played well. It was good shutout after giving up one goal early against Geneva the other day, so putting together about 130 minutes of shutout. They were up in the attack all day, so it was great to see them jelling as a unit.”
Glenbard North goalie Stavros Veremis, dressed in all-pink from head to toe, recorded the shutout but had a pretty lonely second half. He finished with five first half saves, but the Friars (4-2-1) failed to threaten much in the final half. The Panthers’ backline — Santillan, Diego Chicas, Chris Arroyo and Steve Gospodinov — played solid throughout the steamy late afternoon match and helped contribute opportunities on the other end.
“It was a well-deserved win,” Santillan said. We were more physical than the other team. We were prepared for this game because of our conference. We had a lot of control on the field. I was happy with that. I think we had more passion for the tournament and to play the next game.
“I’m happy we created a lot of chances. We were mostly in the attacking.”
After Fenwick missed several chances to score in the first half, the Panthers opened the second half with more vigor and started wearing down the Friars.
Panthers sophomore midfielder Christian Escobedo missed two quality chances in a 60-second span starting in the 48th minute. The spurt included a shot wide left from 15 yards that caused him to shake his head in frustration.
Gospodinov finally broke the ice, knocking in a header into the near post from 13 yards in the 58th minute. That caused a wave of emotions on the field due to the long scoreless period in the physical and verbal match.
“I saw that the ball was coming in, made a run to the box and made sure I made a head on it, and it went it,” Gospodinov said. “It felt really good, especially after we fought for all that.
“We had a lot of positives, played well, communicated and passed well. It was a tough start, but got back together and made some good runs. I think we can have a very good record this year and perform well in the playoffs.”
Twelve minutes later, Azael Velazquez provided some breathing room for the Panthers with his fourth goal of the season, scoring off an assist from Escobedo in the 70th minute to deflate the Friars.
“When (Escobedo) made the pass, I was open and one of my teammates cleared the space, allowing me to get the goal,” Velazquez said. "It was fast and physical, but we had good communication and had fun in the game. I’m happy with this (win).”
Fenwick senior defender Zach Hernandez said he’s adjusted to his new starting role after coming off the bench last season. Hernandez said the Friars made a few mental mistakes that cost them Saturday.
“We have to match that energy and be on top of their man and not allow crosses,” he said. “We needed to step up more.
“I didn't really know much about (Glenbard North). But I knew they were a fast team. That second goal really hurt. They were dribbling across the 18-yard box, and it went up to the corner. I went up there to close him out and attempted to block the cross, but it went right between my legs.”
Fenwick midfielder and first-year starter Lucas Garcia said Glenbard North was a good test that will only help the Friars in the long run.
“They were a bigger and much faster team, so we really need to bring it physically,” Garcia said. “In a short field like this, they were much faster and bigger, and we need to work around that.
“Glenbard North was very good on the ball, and their passing was very good. They open up the field a lot, sending through-balls and able to get off their man on every single corner.”
On Sunday, the Panthers (3-2-2) advanced to meet Elk Grove, a 3-2 winner over Washington on the tournament’s opening day. Glenbard North came up on the short end of a 3-1 score
Fenwick hopes it started a new winning streak with a 3-1 win over Mather.
Starting lineups
Fenwick
GK Greg Price
D Zach Hernandez
D James Zimmer
D Will Zimmer
D Evan Hickman
M Luigi Mollo
M Lucas Garcia
M Jack Powers
M Ryan Bero
F Frank Felice
F Will Jancewicz
Glenbard North
G Stavros Veremis
D Chris Arroyo
D Ren Santillan
D Diego Chicas
D Steve Gospodinov
M Lucas Tran
M Ayan Sheik
M Luis Roman
F Calvin Muciek
F Carlos Villagrana
F Adam Solorio
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Steve Gospodinov, Glenbard North, sr., D
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
Glenbard North — Steve Gospodinov (Chris Arroyo) 58th minute
Glenbard North — Azael Velazquez (Christian Escobedo) 70th minute
ve Gospodinov, Glenbard North, sr., D