Early goals lift Hersey over Prospect
Scafidi, Bujak tallies set tone in 2-0 victory
By Mike Garofola
MT. PROSPECT -- Hersey served notice of its intent to reach the top of the Mid-Suburban League table this spring after an impressive 2-0 road victory Thursday night at George Gattas Memorial Stadium in Mt. Prospect.
The Huskies (2-0-0) took an early lead through an excellent solo effort by Anthony Scafidi, who broke inside the six-yard box to drive his attempt into the roof of the Prospect net in the third minute. Teammate Patryk Bujak doubled the visitors' advantage eight minutes later.
"One of our main goals this season is to come out strong, so it was nice to get an early lead then add another one, just try to dominate play after that," said Bujak, who now has bagged three goals in the first two matches of the season.
In its season opening victory over Schaumburg, Bujak's double, with goals from Ronan Wilcox and Simon Hemenway helped Mike Rusniak's men claim a 4-0 triumph.
"The boys were much more cohesive as a group compared to our game with Schaumburg," began Rusniak.
"We made better decisions, and stayed connected in all levels of our formation.
"We're trying some new things with players in different positions and building our formations, and they seem to be adjusting well in their specific roles."
High pressure from Bujak and his frontline mates Eric Worwa and Scafidi, as well continued support from the Huskies midfield with Chicagoland Soccer All-Stater and senior Ronan Wilcox, kept Prospect (0-1-1) in its own end. That led to the second goal of the game.
Wilcox was named Chicagoland Soccer's Man of the Match for his performance.
"Ronan and I have been playing together since we both got here. We know what the other guy is always going to do," said Bujak, who hopes to walk on at Loyola Chicago next fall. "When he hits a corner or gives us a long throw, (I) know the ball will find its way onto my feet."
Wilcox finds the means to share the ball equally among his teammates. That was evident when the talented midfielder's bending corner sailed to the back post to an awaiting Nathan Solarski.
The senior forced Knights keeper Alejandro Rider-Leiner to make a valiant save. But in doing so, he allowed the ball to fall to a spot where Bujak could finish with ease.
"Hersey won the physical game early on into the contest," said Prospect manager Mike Andrews. "They got the best of us on corners and long throws. By the time we matched their energy and work rate, it was already 2-0."
"A couple of early lapses really cost us," said the Knights' John Wilkins. "(We) have to come out and be a lot sharper with whoever we play."
The senior, who played in his second game with the big club, impressed Andrews.
"John is strong, fast, and eager to take on defenders," the coach said. "He's also demonstrated the ability to finish off crosses, which he did in our opener when he netted two against Hoffman Estates."
"I feel like my role is to come out and give 110 percent: attack; create: distribute; and give my teammates quality balls on my crosses," added Wilkins, who said 2019 Knights grad and Green White soccer club teammate Jonny Keane was a valuable mentor in his move to the varsity after spending last season at the JV1 level.
Prospect's first attempt came at 14 minutes when Steven Lopez went just wide with his left-footer from 20 yards. Just before and after his shot, Hersey applied pressure with several deep throws.
Knights keeper Rider-Leiner punched two out of his box, then saved a close-range blast from Bujak that prevented a third Huskies goal.
"It's always nice to go up 3-0 on your opponent," said Hersey's all-MSL keeper Reese Delahanty. "Obviously, both sides were looking to add a goal when the second half began. Even though we didn't, (we) did a good job of defending after the break when Prospect came at us much harder than they did before."
The senior, who recorded seven clean-sheets last season, has a clear eye for impending danger. The terrific shot-blocker likes what he's seen thus far from his mates, especially his backline.
"(Thomas) Steger is so versatile, and dependable, he's always there when you need him. Charlie (Shiffman) has been a good fit for us, as has Nathan Solarski, who's a rock. Chris See has helped form a real nice chemistry in front of me."
Delahanty, who will study biology at Ohio State or Tulane, has plans to become a physician.
Prospect found its feet after the break, thanks in part to bringing more energy and purpose to its game. That meant getting the ball to its facilitators in the middle, Declan Flanagan and the aforementioned Lopez.
This duo, along with Sebastian Ayala helped keep the Huskies on their heels during the first quarter hour of the second half.
"We came out strong in the second half," said Andrews. "There wasn't really change of strategy at the half. It simply took us too long to get into any kind of a rhythm.
"Our pace was so much better. We started to move the ball more smoothly up the field, and we matched their intensity."
Wilkins made Delahanty wpush his attempt over the bar at 48 minutes. Next, an Ayala free kick went just wide from 35 yards.
Hersey slowly get back into the game and dashed the host's hope of pulling a goal back. Wilcox almost expanded the lead but his wicked blast crashed off the post in the 61st minute.
"We didn't adjust or match the intensity of Prospect after the break, which led us to moving away from our game plan and not moving the ball like we know we're capable of," Rusniak said.
The Huskies adjusted and continued to apply pressure. Some nice combination work from Wilcox and Tasos Christacos allowed Hemenway to unload an attempt from close range, but it was blocked on the way in at 68 minutes.
Just moments before time, a Lopez free kick went wide as Prospect's last hope for a goal.
Hersey ended the night with an important division win.
"We've done well in our first two games," said Delahanty. "We obviously have things we need to work out like a few kinks in our attack, but I feel real good about this team reaching our goal of winning the MSL East and getting into the Soccer Bowl."
A solid bench will be a key component for the Huskies.
"Liam McGuffin, Shifman and Christacos did well coming off of the bench, which will be key in our continued improvement as a team," added Rusniak, who will lead his team against a high-flying Rolling Meadows squad next Tuesday night.
Prospect's coach saw plenty of positives despite the loss.
"We saw tonight we can play with a quality opponent in the second half; we just need to come out and play that way from the very beginning," said Andrews, who will take his team to Elk Grove on Tuesday night.
"Declan played a big part in generating our attack; Lopez has improved a lot from last year; Ayala and Wilkins continue to improve. Aand I want to give credit to Alex Mho, who is a varsity newcomer, whose heart and intensity never faltered all throughout the game."
Starting lineups
Hersey (4-3-3)
G- Reese Delahanty
D- Dawid Nadborski
D- Thomas Steger
D- Nathan Solarski
D- Chris See
M- Sam Schuffler
M- Ronan Wilcox
M- Simon Hemenway
F- Eric Worwa
F- Patryk Bujak
F- Anthony Scafidi
Prospect (4-3-3)
G- Alejandro Rider-Leiner
D- Gabriel Predescu
D- Gavin Kafkakis
D- Ari Kemperas
D- Alex Mho
M- Steven Lopez
M- Sebastian Ayala
M- Declan Flanagan
F- John Wilkins
F- Eryk Limanowka
F- Aedon Wesselink
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Ronan Wilcox, sr., MF, Hersey
Referee: Steven Kostantinovic
Scoring summary
First half
Hersey - Scafidi (U/A) 3'
Hersey - Bujak (U/A) 11'
Second half
No scoring
Scafidi, Bujak tallies set tone in 2-0 victory
By Mike Garofola
MT. PROSPECT -- Hersey served notice of its intent to reach the top of the Mid-Suburban League table this spring after an impressive 2-0 road victory Thursday night at George Gattas Memorial Stadium in Mt. Prospect.
The Huskies (2-0-0) took an early lead through an excellent solo effort by Anthony Scafidi, who broke inside the six-yard box to drive his attempt into the roof of the Prospect net in the third minute. Teammate Patryk Bujak doubled the visitors' advantage eight minutes later.
"One of our main goals this season is to come out strong, so it was nice to get an early lead then add another one, just try to dominate play after that," said Bujak, who now has bagged three goals in the first two matches of the season.
In its season opening victory over Schaumburg, Bujak's double, with goals from Ronan Wilcox and Simon Hemenway helped Mike Rusniak's men claim a 4-0 triumph.
"The boys were much more cohesive as a group compared to our game with Schaumburg," began Rusniak.
"We made better decisions, and stayed connected in all levels of our formation.
"We're trying some new things with players in different positions and building our formations, and they seem to be adjusting well in their specific roles."
High pressure from Bujak and his frontline mates Eric Worwa and Scafidi, as well continued support from the Huskies midfield with Chicagoland Soccer All-Stater and senior Ronan Wilcox, kept Prospect (0-1-1) in its own end. That led to the second goal of the game.
Wilcox was named Chicagoland Soccer's Man of the Match for his performance.
"Ronan and I have been playing together since we both got here. We know what the other guy is always going to do," said Bujak, who hopes to walk on at Loyola Chicago next fall. "When he hits a corner or gives us a long throw, (I) know the ball will find its way onto my feet."
Wilcox finds the means to share the ball equally among his teammates. That was evident when the talented midfielder's bending corner sailed to the back post to an awaiting Nathan Solarski.
The senior forced Knights keeper Alejandro Rider-Leiner to make a valiant save. But in doing so, he allowed the ball to fall to a spot where Bujak could finish with ease.
"Hersey won the physical game early on into the contest," said Prospect manager Mike Andrews. "They got the best of us on corners and long throws. By the time we matched their energy and work rate, it was already 2-0."
"A couple of early lapses really cost us," said the Knights' John Wilkins. "(We) have to come out and be a lot sharper with whoever we play."
The senior, who played in his second game with the big club, impressed Andrews.
"John is strong, fast, and eager to take on defenders," the coach said. "He's also demonstrated the ability to finish off crosses, which he did in our opener when he netted two against Hoffman Estates."
"I feel like my role is to come out and give 110 percent: attack; create: distribute; and give my teammates quality balls on my crosses," added Wilkins, who said 2019 Knights grad and Green White soccer club teammate Jonny Keane was a valuable mentor in his move to the varsity after spending last season at the JV1 level.
Prospect's first attempt came at 14 minutes when Steven Lopez went just wide with his left-footer from 20 yards. Just before and after his shot, Hersey applied pressure with several deep throws.
Knights keeper Rider-Leiner punched two out of his box, then saved a close-range blast from Bujak that prevented a third Huskies goal.
"It's always nice to go up 3-0 on your opponent," said Hersey's all-MSL keeper Reese Delahanty. "Obviously, both sides were looking to add a goal when the second half began. Even though we didn't, (we) did a good job of defending after the break when Prospect came at us much harder than they did before."
The senior, who recorded seven clean-sheets last season, has a clear eye for impending danger. The terrific shot-blocker likes what he's seen thus far from his mates, especially his backline.
"(Thomas) Steger is so versatile, and dependable, he's always there when you need him. Charlie (Shiffman) has been a good fit for us, as has Nathan Solarski, who's a rock. Chris See has helped form a real nice chemistry in front of me."
Delahanty, who will study biology at Ohio State or Tulane, has plans to become a physician.
Prospect found its feet after the break, thanks in part to bringing more energy and purpose to its game. That meant getting the ball to its facilitators in the middle, Declan Flanagan and the aforementioned Lopez.
This duo, along with Sebastian Ayala helped keep the Huskies on their heels during the first quarter hour of the second half.
"We came out strong in the second half," said Andrews. "There wasn't really change of strategy at the half. It simply took us too long to get into any kind of a rhythm.
"Our pace was so much better. We started to move the ball more smoothly up the field, and we matched their intensity."
Wilkins made Delahanty wpush his attempt over the bar at 48 minutes. Next, an Ayala free kick went just wide from 35 yards.
Hersey slowly get back into the game and dashed the host's hope of pulling a goal back. Wilcox almost expanded the lead but his wicked blast crashed off the post in the 61st minute.
"We didn't adjust or match the intensity of Prospect after the break, which led us to moving away from our game plan and not moving the ball like we know we're capable of," Rusniak said.
The Huskies adjusted and continued to apply pressure. Some nice combination work from Wilcox and Tasos Christacos allowed Hemenway to unload an attempt from close range, but it was blocked on the way in at 68 minutes.
Just moments before time, a Lopez free kick went wide as Prospect's last hope for a goal.
Hersey ended the night with an important division win.
"We've done well in our first two games," said Delahanty. "We obviously have things we need to work out like a few kinks in our attack, but I feel real good about this team reaching our goal of winning the MSL East and getting into the Soccer Bowl."
A solid bench will be a key component for the Huskies.
"Liam McGuffin, Shifman and Christacos did well coming off of the bench, which will be key in our continued improvement as a team," added Rusniak, who will lead his team against a high-flying Rolling Meadows squad next Tuesday night.
Prospect's coach saw plenty of positives despite the loss.
"We saw tonight we can play with a quality opponent in the second half; we just need to come out and play that way from the very beginning," said Andrews, who will take his team to Elk Grove on Tuesday night.
"Declan played a big part in generating our attack; Lopez has improved a lot from last year; Ayala and Wilkins continue to improve. Aand I want to give credit to Alex Mho, who is a varsity newcomer, whose heart and intensity never faltered all throughout the game."
Starting lineups
Hersey (4-3-3)
G- Reese Delahanty
D- Dawid Nadborski
D- Thomas Steger
D- Nathan Solarski
D- Chris See
M- Sam Schuffler
M- Ronan Wilcox
M- Simon Hemenway
F- Eric Worwa
F- Patryk Bujak
F- Anthony Scafidi
Prospect (4-3-3)
G- Alejandro Rider-Leiner
D- Gabriel Predescu
D- Gavin Kafkakis
D- Ari Kemperas
D- Alex Mho
M- Steven Lopez
M- Sebastian Ayala
M- Declan Flanagan
F- John Wilkins
F- Eryk Limanowka
F- Aedon Wesselink
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Ronan Wilcox, sr., MF, Hersey
Referee: Steven Kostantinovic
Scoring summary
First half
Hersey - Scafidi (U/A) 3'
Hersey - Bujak (U/A) 11'
Second half
No scoring