Deerfield takes state tourney
preview match against Lakes
Host Warriors win 2-1 vs. soon-to-be regional foe
By Mike Garofola
DEERFIELD -- Another strong Deerfield performance saw them further boost its playoff hopes after a 2-1 victory at Adams Field over visiting Lakes on Pink Out/Kick Out Cancer Night in this annual nonconference contest between two longtime friends and managers
Managers Elliott Hurtig and Lakes’ Kevin Kullby, former soccer teammates at the University of Wisconsin, met once again. Kullby's program arrived with a four-game win streak over Hurtig's men.
However, Andrew Babos' opener in the 21st minute, and Ryder Coleman’s magnificent goal at 46 minutes were enough to end that run for the (7-5-2).
"There were a lot of things that I liked about the way we played tonight," began Deerfield senior David Jotkus, who impressed Kullby, Hurtig and teammate Babos with an effort that earned him Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honors.
"We moved the ball around, defended as a team really well. We continue to get more comfortable in our 3-5-2 formation, and we scored two great goals."
In Deerfield’s ever-evolving no. 10 position, Jotkus excelled on this chilly Monday evening with his work rate, aerial prowess, first- and second-ball victories and ability to be an impressive between-the-lines roamer, who played incisive balls to his mates up-top.
"David is huge for us sitting just in front of our backline," suggested Babos, who himself is quite a success story for the Warriors.
"He is so good at holding the ball with two or three guys on him. He's aggressive, wins nearly every ball and really helps us control the middle."
"No. 25 (Jotkus) was very good for Elliott's team tonight," said Kullby. "He was the best player out there, taking control of things with his tackling, ball-winning ability and strength on the ball."
Lakes (5-10-0) has struggled throughout this season with its inability to keep the ball out of its net or on the flipside to find the back of the net of its opposition, Kullby noted in advance of the game.
With a strong wind at its back during the first half, Kullby implored his men to play more direct to the flags with the hope of stretching the Warriors defense and to send a message that his club would continue to test Deerfield with long balls out of the back to create a few chances.
"We don't have the kind of technical ability that would allow us to knock the ball around, play a lot of one-two touch soccer,” Kullby said. “We have to be more direct, and we felt using the wind to do so would be the correct tactical approach.”
Deerfield, however, came out and tried to play through its midfield with its backline getting involved to create numbers. Babos, Coleman, Addison Simon, Peter Straus and even Ethan Helfand from his spot along the back were all involved when the home side was the aggressor.
"We did some very good things in our possession with moving the ball around in both halves,” Hurtig said. “And we played direct at times to put them under pressure. I thought our midfield did a good job of winning balls, distributing and helping us control things."
A nicely played 1-2 combination between Babos and Coleman resulted in the latter firing just over on the quarter hour.
When the visitors failed to defend a long free kick into the area, it allowed Matthew Neumann to keep the ball alive long enough to see Babos, who steered his effort past keeper Lakes Jake Purcell, who had no chance.
"I guess I was in the right place at the right time," said Babos, who for the first half of the season was on the sophomore team until Hurtig saw him bag three and promoted him to the big club.
"Andrew has come up big for us since being brought up,” said Jotkus. “He's quick, goes to goal with speed, can create chances for himself and others. He is getting real comfortable in the middle, which has helped all of us."
The Warriors kept their visitors under pressure for the next 10 minutes, thanks in part to some good work by those Hurtig brought on off his bench, and first- and second-ball winners Jotkus, Babos and James Weiner, who along with their mates tirelessly tracked back to force turnovers and errant passes.
An early ball over the top by Andrew Roth gave Lakes its best chance of the first period. It led to leading goal scorer Matt Runyard going over in the 28th minute.
Deerfield junior keeper Daniel Simmons got the start and made a spectacular point-blank save in the 38th minute on Cory McMahon. The stop helped send the home side into the break with a one-goal cushion.
"We just didn't have the energy we needed in the first half," began Lakes central defender Kevin Klimas. “(It's) kind of the way it's gone this year for us.
"It's not an excuse, but we lost (nine) starters from a year ago, and we've struggled because of the inexperience we have on our roster.
"At times this season we've played very well, and we had some moments when we came to life tonight. We just have to do that more often from here on out."
Klimas, who may pursue soccer in Portugal after graduation with the help of his assistant head coach Clemente Lima, also has his sights on an aviation career should his soccer plans overseas fall through.
The three-year veteran was part of an Eagles club that went 9-2-0 overall and 6-1-0 in the Northern Lake County Conference in the spring, and the 2019 team that lost 4-3 in Class AA sectional play to eventual state champion Crystal Lake South.
The visitors showed signs of life after the intermission, thanks to its players up-top running hard at the Deerfield defense, its midfielders winning those all-important first and second balls and overall playing with more energy and urgency.
Two minutes into the second period, Runyard chipped the over Warriors backline to an onrushing Wyatt Swanson who lost the 50/50 ball to Simmons.
Nathan Rendl took a dangerous ball off the line from Babos on the other end, before McMahon went close at the back post after latching onto a lovely ball from Runyard.
However Lakes hopes of getting back into this game were dashed six minutes into the second half when Coleman ran onto a devastating ball from Babos and hit it first time into the top left corner from well outside the box.
"Having Babos in the midfield allows Ryder to play up-top where is very dangerous and can score goals for us," said Jotkus.
It could have been easy for the home side to gain momentum after Coleman's sensational strike, but instead Lakes came to life despite struggling to hold onto the ball. It forced them to play direct with nearly every touch they could muster.
Runyard burst free up the left side, but a voracious tackle by Jotkus ended that 67th-minute opportunity.
A long and well-aimed freekick from Drew Chamernik led to an indirect free kick inside the Deerfield box when the center official viewed a high kick as a dangerous one.
Billy Block initiated play with the slightest of touches to move the ball forward for Klimas, who unloaded an unstoppable guided missile into the back of the net to halve the Warriors lead 10 minutes from time.
"That was a great goal from Kevin, because most of those attempts usually end up being hit into a wall of players lined up all along the endline," said Kullby.
Deerfield defended smartly to manage its one-goal cushion down the stretch and claim victory over the Eagles, who will be their opponent in the teams’ state tournament opener later this month at the Vernon Hills Regional.
"Both teams had a couple of quality chances tonight. (Simmons) saved us when we needed him to, so that was good to see," began Hurtig.
"Our shape, possession and overall defending was very good tonight, as was our overall effort and willingness to fight for 80 minutes, which is something we'll need to do when the playoffs begin in two weeks.”
Next up for the Warriors is a CSL crossover game at 7 p.m. Thursday at Glenbrook North.
In a game slated to highlight cancer research, the teams paid tribute at halftime to Deerfield High School world language teacher and instructional coach Mercedes Koch, who died September 17 of cancer.
Players lined up along their respective touch lines, went down on one knee, locked arms around each other’s shoulders and bowed their heads in a moment of silence to honor a woman who was described as a person who saw the best in all, a wonderful friend and colleague, and someone who provided an inspiration to everyone she touched in her life.
Starting lineups
Lakes (4-4-2)
G: Jake Pursell
D: Drew Chamernik
D: Michael Mayer
D: Kevin Klimas
D: Citizen Schmitt
M: Andrew Roth
M: Nathan Rendl
M: Matt Runyard
M: Christian Wieczoek
F: Billy Block
F: Wyatt Swanson
Deerfield (3-5-2)
G: Daniel Simmons
D: Ethan Helfand
D: Justin Blumenthal
D: Noah Weil
M: David Jotkus
M: Nathan Garcia
M: Addison Simon
M: Andrew Babos
M: James Weiner
F: Peter Straus
F: Ryder Coleman
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: David Jotkus, sr., MF, Deerfield
Referee: Tim Abrahamson
Scoring summary
First half
Deerfield: Babos (Neumann) 21'
Second half
Deerfield: Colemen (Babos) 46'
Lakes: Klimas (Block) 70'
preview match against Lakes
Host Warriors win 2-1 vs. soon-to-be regional foe
By Mike Garofola
DEERFIELD -- Another strong Deerfield performance saw them further boost its playoff hopes after a 2-1 victory at Adams Field over visiting Lakes on Pink Out/Kick Out Cancer Night in this annual nonconference contest between two longtime friends and managers
Managers Elliott Hurtig and Lakes’ Kevin Kullby, former soccer teammates at the University of Wisconsin, met once again. Kullby's program arrived with a four-game win streak over Hurtig's men.
However, Andrew Babos' opener in the 21st minute, and Ryder Coleman’s magnificent goal at 46 minutes were enough to end that run for the (7-5-2).
"There were a lot of things that I liked about the way we played tonight," began Deerfield senior David Jotkus, who impressed Kullby, Hurtig and teammate Babos with an effort that earned him Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honors.
"We moved the ball around, defended as a team really well. We continue to get more comfortable in our 3-5-2 formation, and we scored two great goals."
In Deerfield’s ever-evolving no. 10 position, Jotkus excelled on this chilly Monday evening with his work rate, aerial prowess, first- and second-ball victories and ability to be an impressive between-the-lines roamer, who played incisive balls to his mates up-top.
"David is huge for us sitting just in front of our backline," suggested Babos, who himself is quite a success story for the Warriors.
"He is so good at holding the ball with two or three guys on him. He's aggressive, wins nearly every ball and really helps us control the middle."
"No. 25 (Jotkus) was very good for Elliott's team tonight," said Kullby. "He was the best player out there, taking control of things with his tackling, ball-winning ability and strength on the ball."
Lakes (5-10-0) has struggled throughout this season with its inability to keep the ball out of its net or on the flipside to find the back of the net of its opposition, Kullby noted in advance of the game.
With a strong wind at its back during the first half, Kullby implored his men to play more direct to the flags with the hope of stretching the Warriors defense and to send a message that his club would continue to test Deerfield with long balls out of the back to create a few chances.
"We don't have the kind of technical ability that would allow us to knock the ball around, play a lot of one-two touch soccer,” Kullby said. “We have to be more direct, and we felt using the wind to do so would be the correct tactical approach.”
Deerfield, however, came out and tried to play through its midfield with its backline getting involved to create numbers. Babos, Coleman, Addison Simon, Peter Straus and even Ethan Helfand from his spot along the back were all involved when the home side was the aggressor.
"We did some very good things in our possession with moving the ball around in both halves,” Hurtig said. “And we played direct at times to put them under pressure. I thought our midfield did a good job of winning balls, distributing and helping us control things."
A nicely played 1-2 combination between Babos and Coleman resulted in the latter firing just over on the quarter hour.
When the visitors failed to defend a long free kick into the area, it allowed Matthew Neumann to keep the ball alive long enough to see Babos, who steered his effort past keeper Lakes Jake Purcell, who had no chance.
"I guess I was in the right place at the right time," said Babos, who for the first half of the season was on the sophomore team until Hurtig saw him bag three and promoted him to the big club.
"Andrew has come up big for us since being brought up,” said Jotkus. “He's quick, goes to goal with speed, can create chances for himself and others. He is getting real comfortable in the middle, which has helped all of us."
The Warriors kept their visitors under pressure for the next 10 minutes, thanks in part to some good work by those Hurtig brought on off his bench, and first- and second-ball winners Jotkus, Babos and James Weiner, who along with their mates tirelessly tracked back to force turnovers and errant passes.
An early ball over the top by Andrew Roth gave Lakes its best chance of the first period. It led to leading goal scorer Matt Runyard going over in the 28th minute.
Deerfield junior keeper Daniel Simmons got the start and made a spectacular point-blank save in the 38th minute on Cory McMahon. The stop helped send the home side into the break with a one-goal cushion.
"We just didn't have the energy we needed in the first half," began Lakes central defender Kevin Klimas. “(It's) kind of the way it's gone this year for us.
"It's not an excuse, but we lost (nine) starters from a year ago, and we've struggled because of the inexperience we have on our roster.
"At times this season we've played very well, and we had some moments when we came to life tonight. We just have to do that more often from here on out."
Klimas, who may pursue soccer in Portugal after graduation with the help of his assistant head coach Clemente Lima, also has his sights on an aviation career should his soccer plans overseas fall through.
The three-year veteran was part of an Eagles club that went 9-2-0 overall and 6-1-0 in the Northern Lake County Conference in the spring, and the 2019 team that lost 4-3 in Class AA sectional play to eventual state champion Crystal Lake South.
The visitors showed signs of life after the intermission, thanks to its players up-top running hard at the Deerfield defense, its midfielders winning those all-important first and second balls and overall playing with more energy and urgency.
Two minutes into the second period, Runyard chipped the over Warriors backline to an onrushing Wyatt Swanson who lost the 50/50 ball to Simmons.
Nathan Rendl took a dangerous ball off the line from Babos on the other end, before McMahon went close at the back post after latching onto a lovely ball from Runyard.
However Lakes hopes of getting back into this game were dashed six minutes into the second half when Coleman ran onto a devastating ball from Babos and hit it first time into the top left corner from well outside the box.
"Having Babos in the midfield allows Ryder to play up-top where is very dangerous and can score goals for us," said Jotkus.
It could have been easy for the home side to gain momentum after Coleman's sensational strike, but instead Lakes came to life despite struggling to hold onto the ball. It forced them to play direct with nearly every touch they could muster.
Runyard burst free up the left side, but a voracious tackle by Jotkus ended that 67th-minute opportunity.
A long and well-aimed freekick from Drew Chamernik led to an indirect free kick inside the Deerfield box when the center official viewed a high kick as a dangerous one.
Billy Block initiated play with the slightest of touches to move the ball forward for Klimas, who unloaded an unstoppable guided missile into the back of the net to halve the Warriors lead 10 minutes from time.
"That was a great goal from Kevin, because most of those attempts usually end up being hit into a wall of players lined up all along the endline," said Kullby.
Deerfield defended smartly to manage its one-goal cushion down the stretch and claim victory over the Eagles, who will be their opponent in the teams’ state tournament opener later this month at the Vernon Hills Regional.
"Both teams had a couple of quality chances tonight. (Simmons) saved us when we needed him to, so that was good to see," began Hurtig.
"Our shape, possession and overall defending was very good tonight, as was our overall effort and willingness to fight for 80 minutes, which is something we'll need to do when the playoffs begin in two weeks.”
Next up for the Warriors is a CSL crossover game at 7 p.m. Thursday at Glenbrook North.
In a game slated to highlight cancer research, the teams paid tribute at halftime to Deerfield High School world language teacher and instructional coach Mercedes Koch, who died September 17 of cancer.
Players lined up along their respective touch lines, went down on one knee, locked arms around each other’s shoulders and bowed their heads in a moment of silence to honor a woman who was described as a person who saw the best in all, a wonderful friend and colleague, and someone who provided an inspiration to everyone she touched in her life.
Starting lineups
Lakes (4-4-2)
G: Jake Pursell
D: Drew Chamernik
D: Michael Mayer
D: Kevin Klimas
D: Citizen Schmitt
M: Andrew Roth
M: Nathan Rendl
M: Matt Runyard
M: Christian Wieczoek
F: Billy Block
F: Wyatt Swanson
Deerfield (3-5-2)
G: Daniel Simmons
D: Ethan Helfand
D: Justin Blumenthal
D: Noah Weil
M: David Jotkus
M: Nathan Garcia
M: Addison Simon
M: Andrew Babos
M: James Weiner
F: Peter Straus
F: Ryder Coleman
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: David Jotkus, sr., MF, Deerfield
Referee: Tim Abrahamson
Scoring summary
First half
Deerfield: Babos (Neumann) 21'
Second half
Deerfield: Colemen (Babos) 46'
Lakes: Klimas (Block) 70'