Naperville C. work rate wins the day vs. NV
Aggressive offense produces in 4-0 DVC win
By Matt Le Cren
NAPERVILLE – Effort.
It seems like such a simple concept. More effort usually leads to better results, so the team that works harder generally comes out on top.
Such was the case Tuesday night at Memorial Stadium, when Naperville Central overwhelmed Neuqua Valley with a new-found offensive intensity.
Rohan Bhargava had a goal and assist and Ivan Dosen, Owen Jarrell and Cameron Strang also found the back of the net as the host Redhawks dominated throughout in a 4-0 DuPage Valley Conference win.
The result, coupled with Metea Valley’s 2-0 defeat of Waubonsie Valley, reduces the DVC race to a three-way battle between Naperville North, Naperville Central and Metea Valley, with the valleys of Neuqua and Waubonsie both mathematically eliminated.
“The first 10 minutes were rough, but that second half especially (was good),” Naperville Central coach Troy Adams said. “I told the kids, we know we can do it. It’s just the next step for us is the consistency.
“It’s not 40 minutes here and 60 minutes there or a game here. It’s got to be every game, 80 minutes, all the time.
“We can win in a lot of ways. Today we won by working hard, and that’s a great way to win.”
Indeed, the Redhawks (4-3-4, 2-0-1) looked determined to do some damage from the start. The visiting Wildcats (5-4-2, 0-2-0), who played tough during a grueling three-match stretch last week, put up some resistance in the early going but couldn’t muster enough energy to stymie the Redhawks’ overwhelming possession.
“This is a really good win,” Naperville Central midfielder Rohan Bhargava said. “Obviously, DVC games are very important, and now we’re excited for next week when we play Naperville North.
“We were obviously really hyped up for a DVC game, and we haven’t been working as hard as we’ve wanted to in games. So this game our coach really emphasized working hard.
“I think every single player worked their tail off, and that was a big reason why we were able to win.”
He didn’t get any argument from Neuqua Valley defender Kevin Wu, who along with his teammates on the backline played well but were way too busy. The Wildcats had only six shots, including one in the second half, and spent most of the match on their heels.
“We weren’t feeling into the game,” Wu said. “I thought our defense was OK.
“The main issue with our team is we weren’t winning balls in the midfield, which is probably our no. 1 weakness right now.
“The second thing is with our offense. We barely got any shots on the goal.
“The reason is because we couldn’t connect in the midfield. We kept losing the ball and that kept giving them chances to score.”
Ivan Dosen was the first Redhawk to capitalize, pouncing on a bouncing ball just inside the six and roofing a volley for his first goal of the season at the 19:09 mark of the first half.
“I recall it was a cross going in and a few 50-50 headers that just went straight up in the air,” Dosen said. “I saw it bounce to me, and it was just rolling.
“I’m like, ‘I have to finish this, put it away,’ so just tried my hardest to put it on goal.”
The Redhawks tried hard to win every loose ball and got to the majority of them. They were a step faster all night and constantly put pressure on Neuqua’s defense.
Roman Krupka epitomized that hustle when he stole a back pass in the 30th minute and raced into the box. Neuqua Valley goalie Dylan Soto rushed out and kicked the ball away, but Central’s Kyle Kokes intercepted that and fired a 27-yard shot as Soto ran back toward the net.
Kokes’ attempt sailed over the crossbar, but two shots from nearly the same spot later found their mark.
The first came just 35 seconds before intermission after a giveaway by the Wildcats just short of midfield. Bhargava got the steal in the middle of the field and had teammates on either wing as he ran forward.
Instead of passing, Bhargava launched from 28 yards and placed the shot perfectly in between Soto and the left post. That gave the Redhawks a 2-0 lead.
“I haven’t been as aggressive as I wanted to in the attack,” Bhargava said. “I’ve been passing it off, so I decided to drive it myself that time. I aimed far post, and I got lucky the keeper didn’t get to it.”
Bhargava is accustomed to setting up his teammates, a task he is suited for and his teammats appreciate. But Adams needs more production from Bhargava this season.
“Last year we had players like Nate Zain and Zack Kokes who could just take on the whole defense of the other team, so I was more of a distributor,” Bhargava said.
“But now with them gone, players like Owen (Jarrell), and I have to step up.
“(Adams) said to drive at the defense, but mostly it’s kind of a mental thing for me. I haven’t been as aggressive as I’d like, but today it was great to get a goal.”
It was a goal that came at an opportune time.
“Especially right before half,” Dosen said. “Coach has talked about how you win a high percentage of games if you score two goals.
“Rohan just took the game into his own hands, won the ball on a 50-50. He could have played me on the other side or a few other runners, but he decided he was going to step up, and he scored a great goal.”
That it was, but Neuqua Valley coach Arnoldo Gonzalez pointed out how the goal came on a play that typified his team’s fate. The Wildcats played without four starters but that wasn’t the deciding factor.
“Our midfield was lost,” Gonzalez said. “We had our starting team in the middle, but they were lost.
“We kept dropping back, and there was all these open spaces because of that. Most importantly, they (Naperville Central) were aggressive. That’s what really helped them out.
“You can’t stay back and expect them not to be that aggressive. It almost seemed like it was the other way around the first 10 minutes.”
Bhargava’s goal proved especially decisive because it came after the Wildcats had won the ball and were attempting to make one last rush at the equalizer before intermission.
“We continue to get these mistakes and then you get that unfortunate goal with seconds left in the half,” Gonzalez said. “We win the ball, we’re trying to transition and you try and play a ball back into the center and then it is stolen.
“It continues to be all these mental mistakes. The third goal was just like no. 2.”
Indeed, the Redhawks made it 3-0 on a carbon copy of Bhargava’s goal. This time it was Jarrell who made the interception in the middle of the field.
Neuqua’s defenders backed up and Jarrell ripped a 27-yard shot inside the left post at the 29:10 mark of the second half.
Naperville Central made it 4-0 with 5:16 to go. The Redhawks took advantage of a mismatch on Bhargava’s corner kick as Neuqua’s shortest player was caught trying to guard the 6-foot-4 Strang, who headed a three-yard shot under the crossbar.
“I didn’t see as much fire in the boys’ hearts today,” Wu said. “I don’t know what the reason was. We’re challenging balls, but we made really rash plays.
“Really good job on their part, though. I have to give credit to them.
“They moved the ball around really well today. I think they and North are pretty good contenders for top of the table this year. We still have some work to do.”
So do the Redhawks, according to Dosen.
“We’ve really been working on making our offense more dynamic, and I think today we were pretty dynamic,” Dosen said. “But we still want to keep improving in that aspect.”
Central’s defense was even better and recorded its fourth shutout. Starting goalkeeper Brad Palagi made four routine saves in the first half, and Ethan Conners made one in the second half.
“It obviously helps having Cam in the back,” Dosen said. “His height really helps because you can just drop back and cover the extra bodies because you know he gets most of them.
“We’ve been emphasizing man-marking because a few of the goals early in the season that we’ve given up we were just letting our guy slip. Just silly goals to give up. So we just really focused today.”
Starting lineups
Neuqua Valley
GK Dylan Soto
D Kevin Wu
D Ryan Jasek
D Mac Lehman
D Brandon Szabo
M Tom Bludgen
M David Kuhn
M Jose Navarro
M Jack Bella
F Jack Georgi
F Jason Chisnell
Naperville Central
GK Brad Palagi
D Mitch Becker
D Andrew Zain
D Seth Lendzion
D Jake Crawford
D Cameron Strang
M Owen Jarrell
M Rokas Burnos
M Rohan Bhargava
F Roman Krupka
F Finn Wolfe
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match – Rohan Bhargava, Jr, M, Naperville Central
Scoring summary
First half
Naperville Central – Ivan Dosen, 19:09
Naperville Central – Rohan Bhargava, 35
2nd Half
Naperville Central – Owen Jarrell, 29:10
Naperville Central – Cameron Strang (Bhargava), 5:16
Aggressive offense produces in 4-0 DVC win
By Matt Le Cren
NAPERVILLE – Effort.
It seems like such a simple concept. More effort usually leads to better results, so the team that works harder generally comes out on top.
Such was the case Tuesday night at Memorial Stadium, when Naperville Central overwhelmed Neuqua Valley with a new-found offensive intensity.
Rohan Bhargava had a goal and assist and Ivan Dosen, Owen Jarrell and Cameron Strang also found the back of the net as the host Redhawks dominated throughout in a 4-0 DuPage Valley Conference win.
The result, coupled with Metea Valley’s 2-0 defeat of Waubonsie Valley, reduces the DVC race to a three-way battle between Naperville North, Naperville Central and Metea Valley, with the valleys of Neuqua and Waubonsie both mathematically eliminated.
“The first 10 minutes were rough, but that second half especially (was good),” Naperville Central coach Troy Adams said. “I told the kids, we know we can do it. It’s just the next step for us is the consistency.
“It’s not 40 minutes here and 60 minutes there or a game here. It’s got to be every game, 80 minutes, all the time.
“We can win in a lot of ways. Today we won by working hard, and that’s a great way to win.”
Indeed, the Redhawks (4-3-4, 2-0-1) looked determined to do some damage from the start. The visiting Wildcats (5-4-2, 0-2-0), who played tough during a grueling three-match stretch last week, put up some resistance in the early going but couldn’t muster enough energy to stymie the Redhawks’ overwhelming possession.
“This is a really good win,” Naperville Central midfielder Rohan Bhargava said. “Obviously, DVC games are very important, and now we’re excited for next week when we play Naperville North.
“We were obviously really hyped up for a DVC game, and we haven’t been working as hard as we’ve wanted to in games. So this game our coach really emphasized working hard.
“I think every single player worked their tail off, and that was a big reason why we were able to win.”
He didn’t get any argument from Neuqua Valley defender Kevin Wu, who along with his teammates on the backline played well but were way too busy. The Wildcats had only six shots, including one in the second half, and spent most of the match on their heels.
“We weren’t feeling into the game,” Wu said. “I thought our defense was OK.
“The main issue with our team is we weren’t winning balls in the midfield, which is probably our no. 1 weakness right now.
“The second thing is with our offense. We barely got any shots on the goal.
“The reason is because we couldn’t connect in the midfield. We kept losing the ball and that kept giving them chances to score.”
Ivan Dosen was the first Redhawk to capitalize, pouncing on a bouncing ball just inside the six and roofing a volley for his first goal of the season at the 19:09 mark of the first half.
“I recall it was a cross going in and a few 50-50 headers that just went straight up in the air,” Dosen said. “I saw it bounce to me, and it was just rolling.
“I’m like, ‘I have to finish this, put it away,’ so just tried my hardest to put it on goal.”
The Redhawks tried hard to win every loose ball and got to the majority of them. They were a step faster all night and constantly put pressure on Neuqua’s defense.
Roman Krupka epitomized that hustle when he stole a back pass in the 30th minute and raced into the box. Neuqua Valley goalie Dylan Soto rushed out and kicked the ball away, but Central’s Kyle Kokes intercepted that and fired a 27-yard shot as Soto ran back toward the net.
Kokes’ attempt sailed over the crossbar, but two shots from nearly the same spot later found their mark.
The first came just 35 seconds before intermission after a giveaway by the Wildcats just short of midfield. Bhargava got the steal in the middle of the field and had teammates on either wing as he ran forward.
Instead of passing, Bhargava launched from 28 yards and placed the shot perfectly in between Soto and the left post. That gave the Redhawks a 2-0 lead.
“I haven’t been as aggressive as I wanted to in the attack,” Bhargava said. “I’ve been passing it off, so I decided to drive it myself that time. I aimed far post, and I got lucky the keeper didn’t get to it.”
Bhargava is accustomed to setting up his teammates, a task he is suited for and his teammats appreciate. But Adams needs more production from Bhargava this season.
“Last year we had players like Nate Zain and Zack Kokes who could just take on the whole defense of the other team, so I was more of a distributor,” Bhargava said.
“But now with them gone, players like Owen (Jarrell), and I have to step up.
“(Adams) said to drive at the defense, but mostly it’s kind of a mental thing for me. I haven’t been as aggressive as I’d like, but today it was great to get a goal.”
It was a goal that came at an opportune time.
“Especially right before half,” Dosen said. “Coach has talked about how you win a high percentage of games if you score two goals.
“Rohan just took the game into his own hands, won the ball on a 50-50. He could have played me on the other side or a few other runners, but he decided he was going to step up, and he scored a great goal.”
That it was, but Neuqua Valley coach Arnoldo Gonzalez pointed out how the goal came on a play that typified his team’s fate. The Wildcats played without four starters but that wasn’t the deciding factor.
“Our midfield was lost,” Gonzalez said. “We had our starting team in the middle, but they were lost.
“We kept dropping back, and there was all these open spaces because of that. Most importantly, they (Naperville Central) were aggressive. That’s what really helped them out.
“You can’t stay back and expect them not to be that aggressive. It almost seemed like it was the other way around the first 10 minutes.”
Bhargava’s goal proved especially decisive because it came after the Wildcats had won the ball and were attempting to make one last rush at the equalizer before intermission.
“We continue to get these mistakes and then you get that unfortunate goal with seconds left in the half,” Gonzalez said. “We win the ball, we’re trying to transition and you try and play a ball back into the center and then it is stolen.
“It continues to be all these mental mistakes. The third goal was just like no. 2.”
Indeed, the Redhawks made it 3-0 on a carbon copy of Bhargava’s goal. This time it was Jarrell who made the interception in the middle of the field.
Neuqua’s defenders backed up and Jarrell ripped a 27-yard shot inside the left post at the 29:10 mark of the second half.
Naperville Central made it 4-0 with 5:16 to go. The Redhawks took advantage of a mismatch on Bhargava’s corner kick as Neuqua’s shortest player was caught trying to guard the 6-foot-4 Strang, who headed a three-yard shot under the crossbar.
“I didn’t see as much fire in the boys’ hearts today,” Wu said. “I don’t know what the reason was. We’re challenging balls, but we made really rash plays.
“Really good job on their part, though. I have to give credit to them.
“They moved the ball around really well today. I think they and North are pretty good contenders for top of the table this year. We still have some work to do.”
So do the Redhawks, according to Dosen.
“We’ve really been working on making our offense more dynamic, and I think today we were pretty dynamic,” Dosen said. “But we still want to keep improving in that aspect.”
Central’s defense was even better and recorded its fourth shutout. Starting goalkeeper Brad Palagi made four routine saves in the first half, and Ethan Conners made one in the second half.
“It obviously helps having Cam in the back,” Dosen said. “His height really helps because you can just drop back and cover the extra bodies because you know he gets most of them.
“We’ve been emphasizing man-marking because a few of the goals early in the season that we’ve given up we were just letting our guy slip. Just silly goals to give up. So we just really focused today.”
Starting lineups
Neuqua Valley
GK Dylan Soto
D Kevin Wu
D Ryan Jasek
D Mac Lehman
D Brandon Szabo
M Tom Bludgen
M David Kuhn
M Jose Navarro
M Jack Bella
F Jack Georgi
F Jason Chisnell
Naperville Central
GK Brad Palagi
D Mitch Becker
D Andrew Zain
D Seth Lendzion
D Jake Crawford
D Cameron Strang
M Owen Jarrell
M Rokas Burnos
M Rohan Bhargava
F Roman Krupka
F Finn Wolfe
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match – Rohan Bhargava, Jr, M, Naperville Central
Scoring summary
First half
Naperville Central – Ivan Dosen, 19:09
Naperville Central – Rohan Bhargava, 35
2nd Half
Naperville Central – Owen Jarrell, 29:10
Naperville Central – Cameron Strang (Bhargava), 5:16