Shiffman return sparks
Hersey past Prospect
Senior's goal holds up for 1-0 win in early matchup of MSL rivals
By Dave Owen
MT. PROSPECT -- Welcome back, Charlie Shiffman.
The Hersey senior defender missed his team’s first two games due to injury, but returned in style for Saturday’s Mid-Suburban League opener at Prospect.
Along with being part of the Huskies’ shutout effort on defense, Shiffman provided the offense with his header off a perfectly placed Charlie Sieg corner kick 14:23 before halftime.
That goal was the eventual difference as Hersey (2-1-0, 1-0-0 in the MSL) posted a 1-0 win over Prospect (0-2-0, 0-1-0) in the latest tight battle between the nearby rivals.
“I usually play back post (on corners), and Charlie Sieg always knows I'm there,” Shiffman said. “Props to him for a perfect ball on my head.”
A Hersey throw-in headed over the end line by a Prospect defender set up the left side corner kick. Sieg then lofted the set piece send high across the crowd in front to the back post, where Shiffman headed it home.
“The Charlie Connection,” Hersey coach Michael Rusniak said. “Shiffman is such an awesome player. Being back from injury we were kind of on the fence about how much we wanted him to play. We were going to leave it to him.
“But he looked like he never lost a step. That's the type of kid he is. He's such an important part of our team.”
Rusniak noted two other major factors in the win.
“I would also say Danny Duray, playing anywhere on the field,” he said. “He's such grit and hustle all the time.
“We're counting on him and shifting him to different places depending on the game rhythm. We're spoiled to have a player that can do that.
“And the defense as a whole was consistently strong. That's one of the things we stress at Hersey, and that's partially because the coach was a defender.”
The Huskies’ second-straight shutout win in three days didn’t come without some major challenges from Prospect.
The most evident came with under a minute left in the first half, when a Nicholas Casaletto 50-50 ball win ignited a nice Michael Casaletto-to-Massimo Mho-to-Dimitriy Hutnyk passing combination.
Hutnyk raced into the box to tuck home Mho’s touch pass, but an offside call nullified the would-be dramatic game-tying score that came just 15 seconds before halftime.
“It's really disappointing,” Mho said, “because you're working so hard and trying all you can to try to equalize the game. Then something like that happens, and there's nothing you can do about it. It's really heartbreaking.”
Prospect coach Mike Andrews took the offside ruling in stride.
“I trust them (officials) to make that call,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rusniak and the Huskies entered the half with the lead and no doubt a sigh of relief.
“That play was a great opportunity to see how quick these games can change,” Rusniak said. “No lead is sacred, and it can be taken away easily.
“Prospect is always extremely effective. They make in-game adjustments. There were a couple opportunities where all they need is one extra pass, and they would have had us.”
Those great Knights threats multiplied in the second half.
Just over three minutes after the intermission, Mho started his strong half with a 20-yard free kick just over the crossbar.
Soon after with 35:10 left, a Luis DeSantiago 17-yard free kick right of the box was cleared away from danger by Hersey’s Oleh Tymovfi.
Prospect’s slew of set pieces continued with 29:15 to go, a Casaletto 35-yard free kick was grabbed on a hop by Hersey goalkeeper Adrian Smakowski.
Through tests to the defense or scoring bids, Hersey’s successful theme remained the same.
“I think it was the trust aspect, something we continue to stress, trusting one another, and also playing simple and sticking with what works for us and not trying to overcomplicate our style of play,” Rusniak said.
“That buy-in has been great. This whole week the kids see it's working.”
Hersey’s Duray has been a jack-of-all-trades in a week that began with a 4-1 loss in the Central Suburban League/Mid-Suburban League Challenge to New Trier, which was ranked second in the Chicagoland Soccer First 50. But no. 48 Hersey ended the span with two victories.
“I think New Trier was a good, start game,” Duray said. “It showed us the right competition and level that we have to be at. The next two games we just went out there and knew what we had to do. And we won both of them. Winning 2-of-3 games is a good result for the week.”
Duray was a big part of the good results.
“Danny's a dynamic player; we love having him,” Rusniak said. “And he really played all over the field for us this game. He plays whistle to whistle and doesn't let up.”
Prospect didn’t allow the Huskies to let up.
With 13:50 left, Chris Morys’ 30-yard shot was short-hop blocked and covered by Smakowski. Then a set piece threat followed with 11:30 to go, a 40-yard, right sideline Mho free kick that Morys touched toward the goal at the six but Smakowski was there to snare.
“It's only our second game,” Mho said, “so we haven't had a lot of time to bond together or gel together as a team. In this game we had moments we looked pretty good, but we have to make sure those moments stay the whole game. We can't let mistakes like that (Hersey corner kick goal) happen at any time. I felt like we can definitely do better.”
Hersey followed the string of Prospect second half threats with a solid seven-minute stretch that featured three chances, the best a Ray Reyes 10-yard header off a long Shiffman free kick that was saved by Prospect goalkeeper Ethan Erickson.
But the Knights kept pushing hard to draw even.
With 4:20 to go, Joey Casey’s clear denied a Morys send to the crease.
Two minutes later, a DeSantiago-to-Mho-to Sam Heintz rush ended with contact near the box but no foul. The game’s verdict wasn’t sealed until 15 seconds were left, when Hutnyk’s tough-angle, right-side drive from 10 yards went over the net.
“I thought we did a much better job in the second half,” Andrews said. “We looked like a more controlled team, but it just wasn't enough to get the ball in the back of the net.”
Pleased with his team’s late push, the coach had special praise for three individuals.
“Today Sam Heintz at outside left back was just an absolute beast,” Andrews said. “He's so solid and so composed, and he gets up into the attack too.
“Michael Casaletto up-top can be dangerous when he gets the ball on the feet,” Andrews added, “and Massimo (Mho) is playing pretty much everywhere on the field. Wherever he's needed that's where he plays: defense; center mid; or wing. He's an all-around playmaker. He's going to do great things.
"Those three definitely stood out today.
“This team is a brand-new configuration from last year,” Andrews added. “We're still learning each other’s playing styles. It's going to take a little experimentation. We have the (Glenbrook South) tournament next week to do that so the next MSL game we should be more ready.
“In the second half, once we started possessing the ball and doing some combination play and getting our midfield into the attack, we were much more dangerous. But the first half was a little too disorganized for my taste.”
That first half started with Hersey on fire. The Huskies tested Erickson in the first 5:40 of play with two shots on goal, plus a Sieg redirect just wide left of a cross to the front of the net.
“The long ball switches on the weak side (were key),” Duray said of Hersey’s offensive success. “Playing to our wingers over the top, we were definitely able to work off of that.”
Kristian Kopacz later in the half had a 25-yard shot saved by Erickson, part of the Hersey freshman’s impressive early contributions this season.
“He has jumped right in and done really well,” Rusniak said. “This is his first start, and he showed that he can run with kids at this level. We're really happy with how he's progressed.
“We're big fans of his style of play. When we bring a freshman up to varsity we want them to play. And he's done a great job.”
Shiffman’s header goal on the corner kick provided the reward for Hersey's early pressure.
“It was basically the exact same game as last year's regional,” Andrews said of the identical 1-0 score. “Every time we play these guys the result is within a goal one way or another. It's always a battle, and today we had a lapse on one set piece, and that killed us.”
After the Shiffman goal, Hersey’s defense repelled a Matthew Fouch corner kick send with a Michal Kusina initial header away and a Sieg and Michael Choi combined clear upfield.
“We always play a strong game on defense,” Duray said, “and from our counters we always took advantage of those (set pieces). We did our best to put chances away and create as many as we could.”
The one finish was all the Huskies would need, and the resulting win loomed large as a boost in emotions and the early MSL standings.
“Playing Prospect on the road is always hard,” Shiffman said. “Honestly we’ve had two nonconference games, and they're important, but we were really focused on this game mostly, 100 percent in practice.
“Three points (for an MSL win) is great to have. And going forward we know what we have, and what to do in these situations. I think we definitely should have had a couple more (goals) but that's how it works out.”
Duray saw a message in the win.
“Definitely beating them away is a big thing,” he said. “It says a lot especially being our rivals, and it will say something to the other conference teams that Hersey has already beaten Prospect at their place.”
Andrews offered philosophy and praise after the result.
“We learn from this and move on,” Andrews said. “I commend Hersey. That's a nice set piece they capitalized on.”
For Prospect, plenty of time remains this season to turn narrow losses into victories.
“I think we really just have to learn to understand each other's runs and where they're going to run,” Mho said. “A lot of times we're just playing passes and the player has already run past and can't get the ball.”
Rusniak certainly expects the Knights to be a handful very soon.
“They're going to be extremely competitive as they go through their schedule,” Rusniak said. “Better playing them now vs. later in the season. They're going to be dangerous.”
The win also gave Hersey a leg up for the Cardinal Cup. The series, started last year, is a competition between the Huskies, Prospect and Rolling Meadows. The trio of schools absorbed the student population when Arlington High School closed in 1984. Prospect is the defending champ.
Starting lineups
Hersey
GK Adrian Smakowski
D Alex Masztak
D Charlie Shiffman
D Joey Casey
D Nate Mabry
M Alex Ganekov
M Oleh Tymovfi
M Danny Duray
M Charlie Sieg
F Ray Reyes
F Kristian Kopacz
Prospect
GK Ethan Erickson
D Sam Heintz
D Sebastian Parks
D Nicholas Casaletto
D Daniel Barbaric
M Carter Cremascoli
M Luis DeSantiago
M Massimo Mho
M Chris Morys
F Michael Casaletto
F Dimitriy Hutnyk
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match:
Charlie Shiffman, sr. D, Hersey
Scoring summary
First half
Hersey- Charlie Shiffman (Charlie Sieg assist), 26’
Second half
No scoring
Hersey past Prospect
Senior's goal holds up for 1-0 win in early matchup of MSL rivals
By Dave Owen
MT. PROSPECT -- Welcome back, Charlie Shiffman.
The Hersey senior defender missed his team’s first two games due to injury, but returned in style for Saturday’s Mid-Suburban League opener at Prospect.
Along with being part of the Huskies’ shutout effort on defense, Shiffman provided the offense with his header off a perfectly placed Charlie Sieg corner kick 14:23 before halftime.
That goal was the eventual difference as Hersey (2-1-0, 1-0-0 in the MSL) posted a 1-0 win over Prospect (0-2-0, 0-1-0) in the latest tight battle between the nearby rivals.
“I usually play back post (on corners), and Charlie Sieg always knows I'm there,” Shiffman said. “Props to him for a perfect ball on my head.”
A Hersey throw-in headed over the end line by a Prospect defender set up the left side corner kick. Sieg then lofted the set piece send high across the crowd in front to the back post, where Shiffman headed it home.
“The Charlie Connection,” Hersey coach Michael Rusniak said. “Shiffman is such an awesome player. Being back from injury we were kind of on the fence about how much we wanted him to play. We were going to leave it to him.
“But he looked like he never lost a step. That's the type of kid he is. He's such an important part of our team.”
Rusniak noted two other major factors in the win.
“I would also say Danny Duray, playing anywhere on the field,” he said. “He's such grit and hustle all the time.
“We're counting on him and shifting him to different places depending on the game rhythm. We're spoiled to have a player that can do that.
“And the defense as a whole was consistently strong. That's one of the things we stress at Hersey, and that's partially because the coach was a defender.”
The Huskies’ second-straight shutout win in three days didn’t come without some major challenges from Prospect.
The most evident came with under a minute left in the first half, when a Nicholas Casaletto 50-50 ball win ignited a nice Michael Casaletto-to-Massimo Mho-to-Dimitriy Hutnyk passing combination.
Hutnyk raced into the box to tuck home Mho’s touch pass, but an offside call nullified the would-be dramatic game-tying score that came just 15 seconds before halftime.
“It's really disappointing,” Mho said, “because you're working so hard and trying all you can to try to equalize the game. Then something like that happens, and there's nothing you can do about it. It's really heartbreaking.”
Prospect coach Mike Andrews took the offside ruling in stride.
“I trust them (officials) to make that call,” he said.
Meanwhile, Rusniak and the Huskies entered the half with the lead and no doubt a sigh of relief.
“That play was a great opportunity to see how quick these games can change,” Rusniak said. “No lead is sacred, and it can be taken away easily.
“Prospect is always extremely effective. They make in-game adjustments. There were a couple opportunities where all they need is one extra pass, and they would have had us.”
Those great Knights threats multiplied in the second half.
Just over three minutes after the intermission, Mho started his strong half with a 20-yard free kick just over the crossbar.
Soon after with 35:10 left, a Luis DeSantiago 17-yard free kick right of the box was cleared away from danger by Hersey’s Oleh Tymovfi.
Prospect’s slew of set pieces continued with 29:15 to go, a Casaletto 35-yard free kick was grabbed on a hop by Hersey goalkeeper Adrian Smakowski.
Through tests to the defense or scoring bids, Hersey’s successful theme remained the same.
“I think it was the trust aspect, something we continue to stress, trusting one another, and also playing simple and sticking with what works for us and not trying to overcomplicate our style of play,” Rusniak said.
“That buy-in has been great. This whole week the kids see it's working.”
Hersey’s Duray has been a jack-of-all-trades in a week that began with a 4-1 loss in the Central Suburban League/Mid-Suburban League Challenge to New Trier, which was ranked second in the Chicagoland Soccer First 50. But no. 48 Hersey ended the span with two victories.
“I think New Trier was a good, start game,” Duray said. “It showed us the right competition and level that we have to be at. The next two games we just went out there and knew what we had to do. And we won both of them. Winning 2-of-3 games is a good result for the week.”
Duray was a big part of the good results.
“Danny's a dynamic player; we love having him,” Rusniak said. “And he really played all over the field for us this game. He plays whistle to whistle and doesn't let up.”
Prospect didn’t allow the Huskies to let up.
With 13:50 left, Chris Morys’ 30-yard shot was short-hop blocked and covered by Smakowski. Then a set piece threat followed with 11:30 to go, a 40-yard, right sideline Mho free kick that Morys touched toward the goal at the six but Smakowski was there to snare.
“It's only our second game,” Mho said, “so we haven't had a lot of time to bond together or gel together as a team. In this game we had moments we looked pretty good, but we have to make sure those moments stay the whole game. We can't let mistakes like that (Hersey corner kick goal) happen at any time. I felt like we can definitely do better.”
Hersey followed the string of Prospect second half threats with a solid seven-minute stretch that featured three chances, the best a Ray Reyes 10-yard header off a long Shiffman free kick that was saved by Prospect goalkeeper Ethan Erickson.
But the Knights kept pushing hard to draw even.
With 4:20 to go, Joey Casey’s clear denied a Morys send to the crease.
Two minutes later, a DeSantiago-to-Mho-to Sam Heintz rush ended with contact near the box but no foul. The game’s verdict wasn’t sealed until 15 seconds were left, when Hutnyk’s tough-angle, right-side drive from 10 yards went over the net.
“I thought we did a much better job in the second half,” Andrews said. “We looked like a more controlled team, but it just wasn't enough to get the ball in the back of the net.”
Pleased with his team’s late push, the coach had special praise for three individuals.
“Today Sam Heintz at outside left back was just an absolute beast,” Andrews said. “He's so solid and so composed, and he gets up into the attack too.
“Michael Casaletto up-top can be dangerous when he gets the ball on the feet,” Andrews added, “and Massimo (Mho) is playing pretty much everywhere on the field. Wherever he's needed that's where he plays: defense; center mid; or wing. He's an all-around playmaker. He's going to do great things.
"Those three definitely stood out today.
“This team is a brand-new configuration from last year,” Andrews added. “We're still learning each other’s playing styles. It's going to take a little experimentation. We have the (Glenbrook South) tournament next week to do that so the next MSL game we should be more ready.
“In the second half, once we started possessing the ball and doing some combination play and getting our midfield into the attack, we were much more dangerous. But the first half was a little too disorganized for my taste.”
That first half started with Hersey on fire. The Huskies tested Erickson in the first 5:40 of play with two shots on goal, plus a Sieg redirect just wide left of a cross to the front of the net.
“The long ball switches on the weak side (were key),” Duray said of Hersey’s offensive success. “Playing to our wingers over the top, we were definitely able to work off of that.”
Kristian Kopacz later in the half had a 25-yard shot saved by Erickson, part of the Hersey freshman’s impressive early contributions this season.
“He has jumped right in and done really well,” Rusniak said. “This is his first start, and he showed that he can run with kids at this level. We're really happy with how he's progressed.
“We're big fans of his style of play. When we bring a freshman up to varsity we want them to play. And he's done a great job.”
Shiffman’s header goal on the corner kick provided the reward for Hersey's early pressure.
“It was basically the exact same game as last year's regional,” Andrews said of the identical 1-0 score. “Every time we play these guys the result is within a goal one way or another. It's always a battle, and today we had a lapse on one set piece, and that killed us.”
After the Shiffman goal, Hersey’s defense repelled a Matthew Fouch corner kick send with a Michal Kusina initial header away and a Sieg and Michael Choi combined clear upfield.
“We always play a strong game on defense,” Duray said, “and from our counters we always took advantage of those (set pieces). We did our best to put chances away and create as many as we could.”
The one finish was all the Huskies would need, and the resulting win loomed large as a boost in emotions and the early MSL standings.
“Playing Prospect on the road is always hard,” Shiffman said. “Honestly we’ve had two nonconference games, and they're important, but we were really focused on this game mostly, 100 percent in practice.
“Three points (for an MSL win) is great to have. And going forward we know what we have, and what to do in these situations. I think we definitely should have had a couple more (goals) but that's how it works out.”
Duray saw a message in the win.
“Definitely beating them away is a big thing,” he said. “It says a lot especially being our rivals, and it will say something to the other conference teams that Hersey has already beaten Prospect at their place.”
Andrews offered philosophy and praise after the result.
“We learn from this and move on,” Andrews said. “I commend Hersey. That's a nice set piece they capitalized on.”
For Prospect, plenty of time remains this season to turn narrow losses into victories.
“I think we really just have to learn to understand each other's runs and where they're going to run,” Mho said. “A lot of times we're just playing passes and the player has already run past and can't get the ball.”
Rusniak certainly expects the Knights to be a handful very soon.
“They're going to be extremely competitive as they go through their schedule,” Rusniak said. “Better playing them now vs. later in the season. They're going to be dangerous.”
The win also gave Hersey a leg up for the Cardinal Cup. The series, started last year, is a competition between the Huskies, Prospect and Rolling Meadows. The trio of schools absorbed the student population when Arlington High School closed in 1984. Prospect is the defending champ.
Starting lineups
Hersey
GK Adrian Smakowski
D Alex Masztak
D Charlie Shiffman
D Joey Casey
D Nate Mabry
M Alex Ganekov
M Oleh Tymovfi
M Danny Duray
M Charlie Sieg
F Ray Reyes
F Kristian Kopacz
Prospect
GK Ethan Erickson
D Sam Heintz
D Sebastian Parks
D Nicholas Casaletto
D Daniel Barbaric
M Carter Cremascoli
M Luis DeSantiago
M Massimo Mho
M Chris Morys
F Michael Casaletto
F Dimitriy Hutnyk
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match:
Charlie Shiffman, sr. D, Hersey
Scoring summary
First half
Hersey- Charlie Shiffman (Charlie Sieg assist), 26’
Second half
No scoring