York continues roll
with win over Hinsdale Central
Jose Herrera hat-trick leads to 5-1 home conference win
By Mike Garofola
ELMHURST -- Defending state title holder York chased away an early setback to visiting Hinsdale Central with a three-goal first half explosion and took a highly entertaining and lively West Suburban Conference Silver Division contest Tuesday night at Clarence D. East Field.
Luca Davies gave the visitors the opener with a sublime one-timer from in close in the fourth minute. The Red Devils lead lasted more than 20 minutes before Jose Herrera bagged his first of three. He followed with a conversion from the spot three minutes later. A brilliant free kick from Ryder Kohl completed a three-goal run in six minutes to send the Dukes on their way to an impressive 5-1 victory.
"We did not come out ready to play," said Herrera, whose three goals lifted him to a team-high 10 on the season. “(They) did with a lot intensity and energy. When we finally got back even, I knew our team has too much talent not to let a slow start affect us for very long.”
On a night where there was so much quality from both sides, Herrera and Kohl stood out to share the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honor.
"Jose had a little bit of an injury heading into the season and was slow out of the gate, but he returned with his usual high work-rate," said Dukes manager Jordan Stopka. “With him on one side, and (Jayden) Waski on the other side attacking the outside backs, we are quite capable of giving our opponents fits.
“Michael (Wiggins) has been such a great coach and person,” Stopka said of the Hinsdale Central manager. “We told the guys to be leary of them on throw-ins and set pieces. So, chalk it up to our guys not being ready at the start or us not having them prepared, because Hinsdale Central came out really strong and deserved the early goal they put in on us."
The visitors played to their game plan after the opening whistle.
"We got the start we wanted tonight and actually turned in a great effort for the first 25-30 minutes," said Wiggins, now in his 21st year in charge and 29th overall on the sidelines during a remarkable career in the sport. “Even after they drew even, I felt like we were right there with them. Things got away from us a little right before the half.”
The Red Devil’s Owen Peterson nearly stunned a huge Team Elmhurst Soccer Club crowd but his point-blank blast was saved bravely by Dukes keeper Diego Ochoa in the 3rd minute.
The club kids on hand played short-sides games during the intermission. Beforehand, several young players joined the World Cup walkout for the starting 11s from each club.
Moments later, junior Luca Davies steered in his close-range one-timer to actually stun the crowd of well over 200, and gave hope to the no. 12-rated Red Devils (7-4-1, 1-2-0) that they could deal the no. 3 Dukes their first loss of the season.
"We came out with so much confidence tonight," said Davies, who stands at 10 goals on the season. I feel we really put them on their heels with that early goal. I felt like we kept (them) that way until the unfortunate PK that gave them an advantage for the rest of the night.”
First-rate forwards in today's prep soccer game are more than just scorers. Davies has an exceptional work-rate, nonstop motor, can press the opposition, hold up play, and is dangerous with and without the ball.
"Luca is an incredible junior talent, who has recorded at least a goal, or an assist in all but one of our games,” said Wiggins. “Adding to that is he's genuinely positive, caring, hard-working student-athlete who is eager to learn and apply that information each time he takes the field.
"He has a bright future in this game."
After Davies deft touch for his redirected effort off a nifty flick from Dayton DiTomasso earned the lead, Hinsdale Central almost doubled the advantage after a nice bit of combination work from Ardit Abdullai and Davies ended with Braden Henry going just over the bar.
Senior Kevin Gottschalk, who was a key figure in the middle of the park for the Red Devils throughout the evening, would record four interceptions/tackles in the first quarter hour to disrupt the York attack. He added six more after the break to earn Wiggins' praise.
"Kevin has never played better as he competes in his final year with us," he said. "He has a unique ability to read the game and organize. He's as good as some of the best we've had over the years. We partner any number of players with him, and its seamless in the way he can work with others."
The manager was also thrilled with the work of his men in the middle, beginning with DiTomasso, who covers so much ground, box-to-box, alongside sophomore Austen Szurgot, who plays at a high level. Junior Abdullai’s skill on the ball gave his club an attacking presence when going forward.
Hinsdale Central continues to adapt after the loss of star midfielder Martin Montoya. The junior suffered a broken tibia against Lyons on Sept. 20. He expects to return to action in about six months.
York began to slowly get into the game after a series of chances, three of which were turned away with fearless confidence by Red Devils keeper Martin Contreras.
The sophomore stopped a left-footed cracker from Waski, then Herrera with a late glove save, Next he watched an Alexander Menolascina pass wide to the back post that led to his saving effort on a wicked drive by Gustavo Herrera.
The Dukes (10-0-3, 2-0-0) have compiled an interesting statistic. Stopka’s men completed 17 passes in the final third before the break, and another 16 during a second half in which they had most of the play.
"It's a great stat, and it was great to see us move the ball around in (their) end,” Stopka said. “Our style of play is our bread and butter, which leads to that passing stat in the final third.
"We preach patience, waiting for the moment, then striking. We've had our troubles early on against big, strong, athletic teams, but the boys have persisted. It looks 10 times better than before."
Despite its pass completion rate inside the Red Devils end, the home side was still unable to break down a stubborn defensive unit until some quick movement and passing from Kevin O'Connor and Joe Hernandez, helped open up things for Jose Herrera, whose lovely 28th-minute touch leveled the match.
Senior William Czech became the heart of the eventual game-winner when he beat Martin Contreras to a ball just to the left of the Red Devils keeper and was taken down in the 31st minute.
Jose Herrera calmly directed in from the spot to give the Dukes a 2-1 advantage.
Szurgot nearly answered the goal moments later when he headed his effort from eight yards just over the bar.
Ryder Kohl, a ferocious competitor, who ranks with the best central defenders, excelled in blocking passing lanes with his recovery speed, sharp tackling, high soccer IQ and in the delivery of one after another inch-perfect early balls over the top or across the field.
The senior earned the goal of the night with his YouTube worthy 24-yard free kick, which curled around the Red Devils wall before squeezing just inside the far post to bring the big crowd out of their seats in the 33rd minute.
"Ryder is an absolute machine out there," began Stopka.
"He's an extremely cerebral player that can pass and shoot better than some forwards. He controls our back so well, but at times we've moved him into the midfield if we feel like we're being outplayed."
"Ryder is just an amazing player to have right behind you," added junior, Michael Greco, who began the night playing the eight before Stopka moved him back to the six to help the Dukes weather the early Red Devils storm.
"We looked and played really slow at the start,” added Greco, who was also a first- and second-ball warrior. “(Hinsdale) took advantage of us right away, but once we settled in and began to possess, pass and move the ball around, I knew we would be just fine."
Kohl earned his 12th helper of the season when the Dukes captain dropped a long-range ball onto the foot of Jose Herrera, who used his speed to touch away from his man to gain enough time and space to send his third goal of the evening high into the net just after the hour.
After the Dukes fourth goal, Hinsdale Central culminated a wonderful 15-minute build-up that gave the visitors a chance or two to pull one back.
Some cagey combination work from Abdullai and Henry nearly connected with Szurgot just inside the box. Davies had a chance as well.
"I know some people might look at the final score and think we were never in this game, but tonight, just like our recent losses to Lyons, and Naperville Central, I believe we were always in those games, and showed we can play with some of the best around," Wiggins stated.
"We undoubtedly play one of the toughest schedules around.
"With this game tonight, we've played five teams in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 plus Marquette, one of the top teams in Wisconsin. In each game we've shown we're right there.
"Even though we didn't get the result against a very good York team, we came away with a lot of positives with the effort from our guys."
Joe Hernandez completed York's scoring in the 72nd minute when he ran onto a long ball out of the back from his keeper Diego Ochoa and finished with a sublime touch.
"That is a very good York team, but I feel like we played them even or better, especially during the first half,” said Gottschalk. “We let down a little after that PK. They began to control the midfield.
“There were still a lot of good things that we did tonight for us to take home with us."
Next up for the Red Devils will be a nonconference cross-over rivalry match with Hinsdale South on Thursday. Jose Herrera and his mates travel to Wheaton-Warrenville South this Saturday morning.
"We had a great team last year that won the state championship, but that was last year,” said Jose Herrera, who will play next fall at IUPUI in Indianapolis. “This year, with our core of players back and some new guys, (this) is a new team with new goals to go after.
“I feel if we work hard, and stay healthy, we can have another year like we did last year."
Starting lineups
Hinsdale Central (4-5-1)
G- Martin Contreras
D- Greg Theotikos
D- Kevin Gottschalk
D- Oliver Pohlenz
D- Cody Jurgenson
MF- Braden Henry
MF- Dayton DiTomasso
MF- Owen Peterson
MF- Austen Szurgot
MF- Ardit Abdullai
F- Luca Davies
York (4-3-3)
G- Diego Ochoa
D- Manteusz Janowski
D- Ryder Kohl
D- Stefan Rebic
D- Soren Moore
MF- William Czech
MF- Michael Greco
MF- Gustavo Herrera
F- Frank Rofano
F- Jose Herrera
F- Jayden Waski
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match:
Jose Herrera, sr., F, York; Ryder Kohl, sr., D, York
Referee: Marek Kluever
Scoring summary
First half
Hinsdale Central: Davies (DiTomasso) 4'
York: J. Herrera (Hernandez) 28'
York: J. Herrera (PK) 31'
York: Kohl (FK) 33'
Second Half
York: J. Herrera (Kohl) 61'
York: J. Hernandez (Ochoa) 72'
Statistics
Shots on goal
Hinsdale Central: 4
York: 14
Shots off
Hinsdale Central: 7
York: 8
Corner kicks
Hinsdale Central: 3
York: 8
Offsides
Hinsdale Central: 1
York: 0
Blocks
Hinsdale Central: 0
York: 3
Fouls
Hinsdale Central: 17
York: 7
with win over Hinsdale Central
Jose Herrera hat-trick leads to 5-1 home conference win
By Mike Garofola
ELMHURST -- Defending state title holder York chased away an early setback to visiting Hinsdale Central with a three-goal first half explosion and took a highly entertaining and lively West Suburban Conference Silver Division contest Tuesday night at Clarence D. East Field.
Luca Davies gave the visitors the opener with a sublime one-timer from in close in the fourth minute. The Red Devils lead lasted more than 20 minutes before Jose Herrera bagged his first of three. He followed with a conversion from the spot three minutes later. A brilliant free kick from Ryder Kohl completed a three-goal run in six minutes to send the Dukes on their way to an impressive 5-1 victory.
"We did not come out ready to play," said Herrera, whose three goals lifted him to a team-high 10 on the season. “(They) did with a lot intensity and energy. When we finally got back even, I knew our team has too much talent not to let a slow start affect us for very long.”
On a night where there was so much quality from both sides, Herrera and Kohl stood out to share the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honor.
"Jose had a little bit of an injury heading into the season and was slow out of the gate, but he returned with his usual high work-rate," said Dukes manager Jordan Stopka. “With him on one side, and (Jayden) Waski on the other side attacking the outside backs, we are quite capable of giving our opponents fits.
“Michael (Wiggins) has been such a great coach and person,” Stopka said of the Hinsdale Central manager. “We told the guys to be leary of them on throw-ins and set pieces. So, chalk it up to our guys not being ready at the start or us not having them prepared, because Hinsdale Central came out really strong and deserved the early goal they put in on us."
The visitors played to their game plan after the opening whistle.
"We got the start we wanted tonight and actually turned in a great effort for the first 25-30 minutes," said Wiggins, now in his 21st year in charge and 29th overall on the sidelines during a remarkable career in the sport. “Even after they drew even, I felt like we were right there with them. Things got away from us a little right before the half.”
The Red Devil’s Owen Peterson nearly stunned a huge Team Elmhurst Soccer Club crowd but his point-blank blast was saved bravely by Dukes keeper Diego Ochoa in the 3rd minute.
The club kids on hand played short-sides games during the intermission. Beforehand, several young players joined the World Cup walkout for the starting 11s from each club.
Moments later, junior Luca Davies steered in his close-range one-timer to actually stun the crowd of well over 200, and gave hope to the no. 12-rated Red Devils (7-4-1, 1-2-0) that they could deal the no. 3 Dukes their first loss of the season.
"We came out with so much confidence tonight," said Davies, who stands at 10 goals on the season. I feel we really put them on their heels with that early goal. I felt like we kept (them) that way until the unfortunate PK that gave them an advantage for the rest of the night.”
First-rate forwards in today's prep soccer game are more than just scorers. Davies has an exceptional work-rate, nonstop motor, can press the opposition, hold up play, and is dangerous with and without the ball.
"Luca is an incredible junior talent, who has recorded at least a goal, or an assist in all but one of our games,” said Wiggins. “Adding to that is he's genuinely positive, caring, hard-working student-athlete who is eager to learn and apply that information each time he takes the field.
"He has a bright future in this game."
After Davies deft touch for his redirected effort off a nifty flick from Dayton DiTomasso earned the lead, Hinsdale Central almost doubled the advantage after a nice bit of combination work from Ardit Abdullai and Davies ended with Braden Henry going just over the bar.
Senior Kevin Gottschalk, who was a key figure in the middle of the park for the Red Devils throughout the evening, would record four interceptions/tackles in the first quarter hour to disrupt the York attack. He added six more after the break to earn Wiggins' praise.
"Kevin has never played better as he competes in his final year with us," he said. "He has a unique ability to read the game and organize. He's as good as some of the best we've had over the years. We partner any number of players with him, and its seamless in the way he can work with others."
The manager was also thrilled with the work of his men in the middle, beginning with DiTomasso, who covers so much ground, box-to-box, alongside sophomore Austen Szurgot, who plays at a high level. Junior Abdullai’s skill on the ball gave his club an attacking presence when going forward.
Hinsdale Central continues to adapt after the loss of star midfielder Martin Montoya. The junior suffered a broken tibia against Lyons on Sept. 20. He expects to return to action in about six months.
York began to slowly get into the game after a series of chances, three of which were turned away with fearless confidence by Red Devils keeper Martin Contreras.
The sophomore stopped a left-footed cracker from Waski, then Herrera with a late glove save, Next he watched an Alexander Menolascina pass wide to the back post that led to his saving effort on a wicked drive by Gustavo Herrera.
The Dukes (10-0-3, 2-0-0) have compiled an interesting statistic. Stopka’s men completed 17 passes in the final third before the break, and another 16 during a second half in which they had most of the play.
"It's a great stat, and it was great to see us move the ball around in (their) end,” Stopka said. “Our style of play is our bread and butter, which leads to that passing stat in the final third.
"We preach patience, waiting for the moment, then striking. We've had our troubles early on against big, strong, athletic teams, but the boys have persisted. It looks 10 times better than before."
Despite its pass completion rate inside the Red Devils end, the home side was still unable to break down a stubborn defensive unit until some quick movement and passing from Kevin O'Connor and Joe Hernandez, helped open up things for Jose Herrera, whose lovely 28th-minute touch leveled the match.
Senior William Czech became the heart of the eventual game-winner when he beat Martin Contreras to a ball just to the left of the Red Devils keeper and was taken down in the 31st minute.
Jose Herrera calmly directed in from the spot to give the Dukes a 2-1 advantage.
Szurgot nearly answered the goal moments later when he headed his effort from eight yards just over the bar.
Ryder Kohl, a ferocious competitor, who ranks with the best central defenders, excelled in blocking passing lanes with his recovery speed, sharp tackling, high soccer IQ and in the delivery of one after another inch-perfect early balls over the top or across the field.
The senior earned the goal of the night with his YouTube worthy 24-yard free kick, which curled around the Red Devils wall before squeezing just inside the far post to bring the big crowd out of their seats in the 33rd minute.
"Ryder is an absolute machine out there," began Stopka.
"He's an extremely cerebral player that can pass and shoot better than some forwards. He controls our back so well, but at times we've moved him into the midfield if we feel like we're being outplayed."
"Ryder is just an amazing player to have right behind you," added junior, Michael Greco, who began the night playing the eight before Stopka moved him back to the six to help the Dukes weather the early Red Devils storm.
"We looked and played really slow at the start,” added Greco, who was also a first- and second-ball warrior. “(Hinsdale) took advantage of us right away, but once we settled in and began to possess, pass and move the ball around, I knew we would be just fine."
Kohl earned his 12th helper of the season when the Dukes captain dropped a long-range ball onto the foot of Jose Herrera, who used his speed to touch away from his man to gain enough time and space to send his third goal of the evening high into the net just after the hour.
After the Dukes fourth goal, Hinsdale Central culminated a wonderful 15-minute build-up that gave the visitors a chance or two to pull one back.
Some cagey combination work from Abdullai and Henry nearly connected with Szurgot just inside the box. Davies had a chance as well.
"I know some people might look at the final score and think we were never in this game, but tonight, just like our recent losses to Lyons, and Naperville Central, I believe we were always in those games, and showed we can play with some of the best around," Wiggins stated.
"We undoubtedly play one of the toughest schedules around.
"With this game tonight, we've played five teams in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 plus Marquette, one of the top teams in Wisconsin. In each game we've shown we're right there.
"Even though we didn't get the result against a very good York team, we came away with a lot of positives with the effort from our guys."
Joe Hernandez completed York's scoring in the 72nd minute when he ran onto a long ball out of the back from his keeper Diego Ochoa and finished with a sublime touch.
"That is a very good York team, but I feel like we played them even or better, especially during the first half,” said Gottschalk. “We let down a little after that PK. They began to control the midfield.
“There were still a lot of good things that we did tonight for us to take home with us."
Next up for the Red Devils will be a nonconference cross-over rivalry match with Hinsdale South on Thursday. Jose Herrera and his mates travel to Wheaton-Warrenville South this Saturday morning.
"We had a great team last year that won the state championship, but that was last year,” said Jose Herrera, who will play next fall at IUPUI in Indianapolis. “This year, with our core of players back and some new guys, (this) is a new team with new goals to go after.
“I feel if we work hard, and stay healthy, we can have another year like we did last year."
Starting lineups
Hinsdale Central (4-5-1)
G- Martin Contreras
D- Greg Theotikos
D- Kevin Gottschalk
D- Oliver Pohlenz
D- Cody Jurgenson
MF- Braden Henry
MF- Dayton DiTomasso
MF- Owen Peterson
MF- Austen Szurgot
MF- Ardit Abdullai
F- Luca Davies
York (4-3-3)
G- Diego Ochoa
D- Manteusz Janowski
D- Ryder Kohl
D- Stefan Rebic
D- Soren Moore
MF- William Czech
MF- Michael Greco
MF- Gustavo Herrera
F- Frank Rofano
F- Jose Herrera
F- Jayden Waski
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match:
Jose Herrera, sr., F, York; Ryder Kohl, sr., D, York
Referee: Marek Kluever
Scoring summary
First half
Hinsdale Central: Davies (DiTomasso) 4'
York: J. Herrera (Hernandez) 28'
York: J. Herrera (PK) 31'
York: Kohl (FK) 33'
Second Half
York: J. Herrera (Kohl) 61'
York: J. Hernandez (Ochoa) 72'
Statistics
Shots on goal
Hinsdale Central: 4
York: 14
Shots off
Hinsdale Central: 7
York: 8
Corner kicks
Hinsdale Central: 3
York: 8
Offsides
Hinsdale Central: 1
York: 0
Blocks
Hinsdale Central: 0
York: 3
Fouls
Hinsdale Central: 17
York: 7