Krug matches weather, leads
Notre Dame past NSCD for Cup title
1st half goal keys 1-0 win in Don-Raider tourney
By Gary Larsen
WILMETTE — Maybe the only thing hotter than the weekend’s scorching heat was the start to the season that Notre Dame forward Freddy Krug has had.
Krug’s goal in a 1-0 win over North Shore Country Day gave him five goals and four assists through the Dons’ first four games, all wins. Saturday’s win came in the title game of the Don-Raider Cup, a gritty battle decided by the rangy and skilled Krug’s first half goal.
“Freddy brings it every game,” Dons midfielder Michael Shanahan said.
What Krug brings was described in short order by Dons coach Mike Smith.
“Freddy is just a very dynamic forward,” Smith said. “He’s got a great first touch, awesome field vision, and he can finish with the best of them.”
The unrelenting heat that soccer teams everywhere played through Saturday seemed at its peak for an 11 a.m. game in Wilmette. Ninety-plus degree heat was unkind to both teams, water breaks notwithstanding, but particularly so for a North Shore Country Day team playing with few bench players due to injuries.
But the idea that a short bench played any role in the loss was quickly dispatched by North Shore senior Mason Roberts-Jones.
“(Notre Dame) had to play in the same heat that we did,” Roberts-Jones said. “No excuses.”
The Dons and Raiders both dominated their way to the title game, with neither team giving up a single goal in the two previous games in the four-team round-robin.
Notre Dame (4-0-0) outscored its first three opponents this season by a combined score of 16-0, while North Shore Country Day (3-1-0) earned a 20-0 combined edge through three games.
Saturday’s title game figured to be nip-and-tuck. The Dons and Raiders played to a tie in a scrimmage game this year and both teams feature stubborn defenses, solid midfielders, and strikers who can finish.
“They brought it hard, and it was a tight game. I really respect them,” Shanahan said of North Shore Country Day, which was ranked 47th in the Chicagoland Soccer First 50 state-wide preseason poll. “It was a tough game. They were good with their passing, they were able to split us, and they were quick, too. Keeping up with that speed made it hard for us.”
Respect was mutual after the hard-fought game.
“They’re big, physical lads, and they put us under some pressure,” North Shore coach Kyle Jones said. “They exposed some defensive frailties and showed us what to work on when we go back to work on Monday.
“They were the better team today, and they deserved it so hats off to them. They’re going to do some good things this year.”
The game’s lone goal came near the end of the first half, when Notre Dame’s Andy Barrezueta crossed a ball from the left side. It found Krug running across the box and after a touch, he buried it from 12 yards.
“Andy put in a good cross, and I knew the other team was getting tired,” Krug said. “So I knew that was a time I could attack and try to put one in.”
Krug was a varsity freshman last season and he has taken a stride forward this year.
“Last year I didn’t have the experience, and I didn’t know what I was getting into,” Krug said. “This year we have a good team with a lot of chemistry between our players, and I think that’s what I’m most benefitting from.”
The unblemished defense is led by central defenders Paul Harris and Martin Krug, who turned in another stingy performance in front of keeper Luc Lobianco.
“Paul is the anchor of our defense and Martin (Krug) right next to him — that’s a senior and a sophomore, and it’s a good relationship that those two have,” Smith said. “Paul is a leader for us, a three-year varsity starter, and he’s been doing awesome for us. Props to the defense and (Lobianco) in net.”
The Dons created a handful of viable scoring chances in the second half, and North Shore Country elevated its play after a first half that they weren’t too happy with.
“We knew this would be our toughest test this week, but I don’t think we were on our best today,” Jones said. “It wasn’t terrible, and I thought we were better in the second half than the first half.
“That quality didn’t shine through as much as I thought we could today. But we had a good week and overall I’m pleased with the way the boys played this week.”
With varsity veteran Finn Doornweerd as a central defender and a supremely athletic keeper in veteran Nick Potter leading the way, North Shore Country Day’s defense should shine this season. Add a dynamic foursome in Roberts-Jones, Danny Becker, Benji Leonetti, and Walter Luglio in the attack, and the Raiders should be fun to watch again.
“I don’t think there are many weak aspects to our team,” Roberts-Jones said. “We’re good going forward, and we’re strong defensively. We definitely lost a couple guys (to graduation), but I think we’re still really solid. I think we’re in that molding stage so far, and I think the best is yet to come from us.”
A Notre Dame team that returned 21 of 24 players from last season is similarly poised for a strong season this fall. Barrezueta, Danny Deano, and Trevor Johnson have all added scoring punch behind Freddy Krug.
Shanahan’s play at defensive midfielder has also keyed the attack for the Dons.
“(Shanahan) just kind of calms the game down for us,” Smith said. “He wins 50/50s, he always steps at the right time, and I love what he does out there.”
Shanahan is just having fun playing his senior season on a quality side.
“It was really a hot game, but we worked really hard this summer to keep in our best shape, and I thought we really brought it today,” Shanahan said. “Everyone on our roster can play and you don’t see any difference on the field. That’s one of the great things about Notre Dame soccer. We’re a team.”
Starting lineups
Notre Dame
GK Luca Lobianco
D Paul Harris
D Martin Krug
D Jack Plovanich
M Zach Martin
M Danny Deano
M Andy Barrezueta
M Michael Ziemba
M Michael Shanahan
F Trevor Johnson
F Freddy Krug
North Shore Country Day
GK Nick Potter
D Finn Doornweerd
D Tae Won Lillig
D Jackson Berner
D Buckley Oelerich
M Leif Steele
M Teddy Gallun
M Mason Roberts-Jones
M Benji Leonetti
M Walter Luglio
F Danny Becker
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Freddy Krug, so., F, Notre Dame
Scoring summary
First half
Notre Dame — F. Krug (Barrezueta) 25 minutes
Second half
No scoring
Notre Dame past NSCD for Cup title
1st half goal keys 1-0 win in Don-Raider tourney
By Gary Larsen
WILMETTE — Maybe the only thing hotter than the weekend’s scorching heat was the start to the season that Notre Dame forward Freddy Krug has had.
Krug’s goal in a 1-0 win over North Shore Country Day gave him five goals and four assists through the Dons’ first four games, all wins. Saturday’s win came in the title game of the Don-Raider Cup, a gritty battle decided by the rangy and skilled Krug’s first half goal.
“Freddy brings it every game,” Dons midfielder Michael Shanahan said.
What Krug brings was described in short order by Dons coach Mike Smith.
“Freddy is just a very dynamic forward,” Smith said. “He’s got a great first touch, awesome field vision, and he can finish with the best of them.”
The unrelenting heat that soccer teams everywhere played through Saturday seemed at its peak for an 11 a.m. game in Wilmette. Ninety-plus degree heat was unkind to both teams, water breaks notwithstanding, but particularly so for a North Shore Country Day team playing with few bench players due to injuries.
But the idea that a short bench played any role in the loss was quickly dispatched by North Shore senior Mason Roberts-Jones.
“(Notre Dame) had to play in the same heat that we did,” Roberts-Jones said. “No excuses.”
The Dons and Raiders both dominated their way to the title game, with neither team giving up a single goal in the two previous games in the four-team round-robin.
Notre Dame (4-0-0) outscored its first three opponents this season by a combined score of 16-0, while North Shore Country Day (3-1-0) earned a 20-0 combined edge through three games.
Saturday’s title game figured to be nip-and-tuck. The Dons and Raiders played to a tie in a scrimmage game this year and both teams feature stubborn defenses, solid midfielders, and strikers who can finish.
“They brought it hard, and it was a tight game. I really respect them,” Shanahan said of North Shore Country Day, which was ranked 47th in the Chicagoland Soccer First 50 state-wide preseason poll. “It was a tough game. They were good with their passing, they were able to split us, and they were quick, too. Keeping up with that speed made it hard for us.”
Respect was mutual after the hard-fought game.
“They’re big, physical lads, and they put us under some pressure,” North Shore coach Kyle Jones said. “They exposed some defensive frailties and showed us what to work on when we go back to work on Monday.
“They were the better team today, and they deserved it so hats off to them. They’re going to do some good things this year.”
The game’s lone goal came near the end of the first half, when Notre Dame’s Andy Barrezueta crossed a ball from the left side. It found Krug running across the box and after a touch, he buried it from 12 yards.
“Andy put in a good cross, and I knew the other team was getting tired,” Krug said. “So I knew that was a time I could attack and try to put one in.”
Krug was a varsity freshman last season and he has taken a stride forward this year.
“Last year I didn’t have the experience, and I didn’t know what I was getting into,” Krug said. “This year we have a good team with a lot of chemistry between our players, and I think that’s what I’m most benefitting from.”
The unblemished defense is led by central defenders Paul Harris and Martin Krug, who turned in another stingy performance in front of keeper Luc Lobianco.
“Paul is the anchor of our defense and Martin (Krug) right next to him — that’s a senior and a sophomore, and it’s a good relationship that those two have,” Smith said. “Paul is a leader for us, a three-year varsity starter, and he’s been doing awesome for us. Props to the defense and (Lobianco) in net.”
The Dons created a handful of viable scoring chances in the second half, and North Shore Country elevated its play after a first half that they weren’t too happy with.
“We knew this would be our toughest test this week, but I don’t think we were on our best today,” Jones said. “It wasn’t terrible, and I thought we were better in the second half than the first half.
“That quality didn’t shine through as much as I thought we could today. But we had a good week and overall I’m pleased with the way the boys played this week.”
With varsity veteran Finn Doornweerd as a central defender and a supremely athletic keeper in veteran Nick Potter leading the way, North Shore Country Day’s defense should shine this season. Add a dynamic foursome in Roberts-Jones, Danny Becker, Benji Leonetti, and Walter Luglio in the attack, and the Raiders should be fun to watch again.
“I don’t think there are many weak aspects to our team,” Roberts-Jones said. “We’re good going forward, and we’re strong defensively. We definitely lost a couple guys (to graduation), but I think we’re still really solid. I think we’re in that molding stage so far, and I think the best is yet to come from us.”
A Notre Dame team that returned 21 of 24 players from last season is similarly poised for a strong season this fall. Barrezueta, Danny Deano, and Trevor Johnson have all added scoring punch behind Freddy Krug.
Shanahan’s play at defensive midfielder has also keyed the attack for the Dons.
“(Shanahan) just kind of calms the game down for us,” Smith said. “He wins 50/50s, he always steps at the right time, and I love what he does out there.”
Shanahan is just having fun playing his senior season on a quality side.
“It was really a hot game, but we worked really hard this summer to keep in our best shape, and I thought we really brought it today,” Shanahan said. “Everyone on our roster can play and you don’t see any difference on the field. That’s one of the great things about Notre Dame soccer. We’re a team.”
Starting lineups
Notre Dame
GK Luca Lobianco
D Paul Harris
D Martin Krug
D Jack Plovanich
M Zach Martin
M Danny Deano
M Andy Barrezueta
M Michael Ziemba
M Michael Shanahan
F Trevor Johnson
F Freddy Krug
North Shore Country Day
GK Nick Potter
D Finn Doornweerd
D Tae Won Lillig
D Jackson Berner
D Buckley Oelerich
M Leif Steele
M Teddy Gallun
M Mason Roberts-Jones
M Benji Leonetti
M Walter Luglio
F Danny Becker
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Freddy Krug, so., F, Notre Dame
Scoring summary
First half
Notre Dame — F. Krug (Barrezueta) 25 minutes
Second half
No scoring