Waubonsie V. battles Plainfield C. to draw
Warriors outshoot foe 20-6, but can't connect in 0-0 finish
By Steve Nemeth
AURORA -- Perhaps the best measurement of Plainfield Central's visit to Waubonsie Valley on Saturday will be based on where the teams go from here.
Is it as simple as “woulda, coulda, shoulda,” because it ended in a 0-0 stand-off? Or was it just a scoreless draw based on evenly-matched, back-and-forth quality soccer?
Consider this historical footnote, both programs nearly met for a sectional title in 2016, setting a foundation for greater hopes this year.
Plainfield Central lost a 1-0 sectional semifinal to Neuqua Valley to cap a 12-11-1 season after the Wildcats -- as a mere 15 seed -- shocked no. 2 seed Naperville Central. Then Plainfield Central became its school district’s first boys soccer team to win a regional title by blanking fellow Southwest Prairie foe Plainfield East.
On the opposite side of that bracket, Waubonsie Valley lost its sectional semi to eventual Class 3A state champ Naperville North and finishing 12-8-1 with a 3-4-1 mark in the rugged DuPage Valley Conference standings.
Fast forward to 2017 where both schools are moving forward unbeaten -- Plainfield Central at 2-0-1 and Waubonsie Valley 1-0-1. Both teams cited more positives than negatives and proclaimed respect for their opponent.
“Credit Waubonsie for playing a very solid, tactical style. They’re the kind of good team that prepares you for later,” Plainfield Central coach Kevin Fitzgerald said. “With that in mind, our backline and goalie play today jump out for earning a shutout.”
Of course the Warriors also got a clean sheet.
“Plainfield had a great attacking line that transitioned well, so it took a lot of effort to keep them contained,” Warrior coach Jose Garcia said. “We had a couple key players out because of injury, but our subs really stepped it up today. They took on the responsibility of those roles.”
Both sides had veterans shouldering the need for offense, however, the hustle at both ends by Waubonsie Valley's Mitch Mueller’s earned him Chicagoland Soccer’s Man of the Match accolade.
“Mitch played a key role defensively and offensively. Everything went through him today,” Garcia noted. “He created chances for us on offense, and he came back to support the defense. He was a real workhorse for us today.”
The earliest opportunity of note came seven minutes in when Waubonsie Valley’s Giacomo Parrino couldn’t get quite enough zip on a header, which allowed Plainfield Central goalie Shane Badertscher to make one of his easier saves. The Wildcats answered within seconds with a through-ball that positioned Ish Contreras for a 1-v.-1 against Waubonsie Valley net newcomer Vince Rullo. The Warriors sophomore dove to his left to knock the shot wide.
Drawing on experience playing second base in baseball, Rullo shrugged at the notion of pressure.
“You have to think quick, in goal or the infield, you need to mentally know what to do before the ball comes to you,” Rullo said. “In soccer, I’ve also learned to trust my defenders.”
Good thinking considering the experience and leadership of seniors Will Krutchen and Bobby Barnard. That duo aided by juniors Matt Shannon and Ryan Sanchez plus sophomore Noah Glorioso made life easier for Rullo and difficult and limited for Plainfield Central standout forward Joel Sanchez and the Wildcats attack, which only mustered four shots on frame, one in the first half.
Sanchez did have one second half try that would’ve certainly deserved ESPN Top 10 consideration if it had found paydirt. The Plainfield Central senior was nearly horizontal on a scissors kick that sailed high.
“I just wasn’t able to get enough contact on it to direct it better,” Sanchez said. “It’s not a win, but it’s not a loss. Last year we were disappointed in the outcome (a 2-1 home loss to Waubonsie Valley), so we wanted to come with a much stronger effort today and in many ways we did do that.”
The offensive star has his coach in his corner.
“He may not be the tallest guy out there, but he’s always one of the toughest on the field,” Fitzgerald said.
Late in the first half, Waubonsie Valley's Rogello Grimaldo had an absolute cracker from distance, but Badertscher dove to his right for the stop. The Wildcats goalie was just as sure-handed after Mueller dribbled past two Plainfield Central defenders for a rocket shot.
Both sides had their share of attacks and counterattacks through the initial portion of the second half. With 20:32 left, 2016 Chicagoland Soccer all-stater Giacomo Parrino played a textbook cross only to have Badertscher fist the ball clear seconds before Grimaldo could get on what would have been an easy header.
“Composure was the key, knowing Waubonsie is fast and skilled,” Badertscher said after registering his second shutout (to go with the 3-0 season-opening clean sheet versus Yorkville). “That first one, then beating (Wheaton Warrenville) South, and now a shutout on the road, shows the kind of progress we can build upon. I know (Waubonsie) beat (defending SPC champion) Oswego East (2-1), so our effort today should be a positive boost.”
Parrino and his crew continued knocking on the door. At 14:23 remaining, Badertscher had to come up big on a Parrino laser.
Minutes later, it was Mueller with a 20-yard cannon blast. With only 2:53 to play, Mueller gunned another from distance that Badertscher tipped over the crossbar. On the ensuing corner, Waubonsie Valley had a header go wide left. Ultimately, the Warriors owned a 20-6 advantage for overall attempts and a 9-3 edge in shots on goal. The hosts also led in corners 4-2. Plainfield Central had the only three offside calls of the game.
“I think we just need to work on the little things,” Parrino said. “Perhaps a better touch on a pass, communication, and staying healthy. All those can help us get finishes for goals. I know my teammates are depending on me so that keeps me going, plus a passion for the game.”
Mueller echoed many of those sentiments.
“Going forward we’ll work on finishing,” Mueller said. “Coach is always telling us mids to test the keeper, so I tried to do that at different times. Perhaps you get a good bounce, and I know our forwards are ready for any rebounds.”
Plainfield Central looks to a Thursday visit from Batavia that serves as the first of four-straight home dates for the Wildcats to build upon.
Waubonsie Valley makes a Friday visit to Leyden before opening DuPage Valley Conference action at home against Lake Park on Sept. 5.
“Our philosophy is direct and simple, be better today than yesterday,” Parrino stated. “Concentrate on working hard and together, physically support your teammates, and mentally never let down.”
That's clearly a strategy designed to get a team from now into the postseason.
Starting lineups
Plainfield Central
GK Shane Badertscher
D Hunter Fuss
D Roger Vera
D Ish Contreras
D Alan Ontiveros
M Zach Bargas
M Josh De Avila
M Jose Ramirez
F Noah Selefski
F Joel Sanchez
F Simeon Adesina
Waubonsie Valley
GK Vincent Rullo
D Noah Glorioso
D Will Krutchen
D Bobby Barnard
D Matt Shannon
M Eric Saucedo
M Mitch Mueller
M Rogello Grimaldo
M Stephan Spano
F Giacomo Parrino
F Juan Gomez
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Mitch Mueller, sr. MF, Waubonsie Valley
Game summary
Waubonsie Valley 0, Plainfield Central 0
Plainfield Central 0 0 -- 0
Waubonsie Valley 0 0 -- 0
Shots
PC 2 – 4 -- 6
WV 10 – 10 -- 20
Shots on goal
PC 1 – 3 -- 3
WV 4 – 5 -- 9
Saves (goalie)
PC (Badertscher) 4 – 5 -- 9
WV (Rullo) 1 – 3 -- 4
Corner kicks
PC 1 – 1 -- 2
WV 1 – 3 -- 4
Offsides
PC 1 – 2 -- 3
WV 0 – 0 -- 0
Officials: Gene Mroz (center), Scott Lichtfuss, Brett Richter
Warriors outshoot foe 20-6, but can't connect in 0-0 finish
By Steve Nemeth
AURORA -- Perhaps the best measurement of Plainfield Central's visit to Waubonsie Valley on Saturday will be based on where the teams go from here.
Is it as simple as “woulda, coulda, shoulda,” because it ended in a 0-0 stand-off? Or was it just a scoreless draw based on evenly-matched, back-and-forth quality soccer?
Consider this historical footnote, both programs nearly met for a sectional title in 2016, setting a foundation for greater hopes this year.
Plainfield Central lost a 1-0 sectional semifinal to Neuqua Valley to cap a 12-11-1 season after the Wildcats -- as a mere 15 seed -- shocked no. 2 seed Naperville Central. Then Plainfield Central became its school district’s first boys soccer team to win a regional title by blanking fellow Southwest Prairie foe Plainfield East.
On the opposite side of that bracket, Waubonsie Valley lost its sectional semi to eventual Class 3A state champ Naperville North and finishing 12-8-1 with a 3-4-1 mark in the rugged DuPage Valley Conference standings.
Fast forward to 2017 where both schools are moving forward unbeaten -- Plainfield Central at 2-0-1 and Waubonsie Valley 1-0-1. Both teams cited more positives than negatives and proclaimed respect for their opponent.
“Credit Waubonsie for playing a very solid, tactical style. They’re the kind of good team that prepares you for later,” Plainfield Central coach Kevin Fitzgerald said. “With that in mind, our backline and goalie play today jump out for earning a shutout.”
Of course the Warriors also got a clean sheet.
“Plainfield had a great attacking line that transitioned well, so it took a lot of effort to keep them contained,” Warrior coach Jose Garcia said. “We had a couple key players out because of injury, but our subs really stepped it up today. They took on the responsibility of those roles.”
Both sides had veterans shouldering the need for offense, however, the hustle at both ends by Waubonsie Valley's Mitch Mueller’s earned him Chicagoland Soccer’s Man of the Match accolade.
“Mitch played a key role defensively and offensively. Everything went through him today,” Garcia noted. “He created chances for us on offense, and he came back to support the defense. He was a real workhorse for us today.”
The earliest opportunity of note came seven minutes in when Waubonsie Valley’s Giacomo Parrino couldn’t get quite enough zip on a header, which allowed Plainfield Central goalie Shane Badertscher to make one of his easier saves. The Wildcats answered within seconds with a through-ball that positioned Ish Contreras for a 1-v.-1 against Waubonsie Valley net newcomer Vince Rullo. The Warriors sophomore dove to his left to knock the shot wide.
Drawing on experience playing second base in baseball, Rullo shrugged at the notion of pressure.
“You have to think quick, in goal or the infield, you need to mentally know what to do before the ball comes to you,” Rullo said. “In soccer, I’ve also learned to trust my defenders.”
Good thinking considering the experience and leadership of seniors Will Krutchen and Bobby Barnard. That duo aided by juniors Matt Shannon and Ryan Sanchez plus sophomore Noah Glorioso made life easier for Rullo and difficult and limited for Plainfield Central standout forward Joel Sanchez and the Wildcats attack, which only mustered four shots on frame, one in the first half.
Sanchez did have one second half try that would’ve certainly deserved ESPN Top 10 consideration if it had found paydirt. The Plainfield Central senior was nearly horizontal on a scissors kick that sailed high.
“I just wasn’t able to get enough contact on it to direct it better,” Sanchez said. “It’s not a win, but it’s not a loss. Last year we were disappointed in the outcome (a 2-1 home loss to Waubonsie Valley), so we wanted to come with a much stronger effort today and in many ways we did do that.”
The offensive star has his coach in his corner.
“He may not be the tallest guy out there, but he’s always one of the toughest on the field,” Fitzgerald said.
Late in the first half, Waubonsie Valley's Rogello Grimaldo had an absolute cracker from distance, but Badertscher dove to his right for the stop. The Wildcats goalie was just as sure-handed after Mueller dribbled past two Plainfield Central defenders for a rocket shot.
Both sides had their share of attacks and counterattacks through the initial portion of the second half. With 20:32 left, 2016 Chicagoland Soccer all-stater Giacomo Parrino played a textbook cross only to have Badertscher fist the ball clear seconds before Grimaldo could get on what would have been an easy header.
“Composure was the key, knowing Waubonsie is fast and skilled,” Badertscher said after registering his second shutout (to go with the 3-0 season-opening clean sheet versus Yorkville). “That first one, then beating (Wheaton Warrenville) South, and now a shutout on the road, shows the kind of progress we can build upon. I know (Waubonsie) beat (defending SPC champion) Oswego East (2-1), so our effort today should be a positive boost.”
Parrino and his crew continued knocking on the door. At 14:23 remaining, Badertscher had to come up big on a Parrino laser.
Minutes later, it was Mueller with a 20-yard cannon blast. With only 2:53 to play, Mueller gunned another from distance that Badertscher tipped over the crossbar. On the ensuing corner, Waubonsie Valley had a header go wide left. Ultimately, the Warriors owned a 20-6 advantage for overall attempts and a 9-3 edge in shots on goal. The hosts also led in corners 4-2. Plainfield Central had the only three offside calls of the game.
“I think we just need to work on the little things,” Parrino said. “Perhaps a better touch on a pass, communication, and staying healthy. All those can help us get finishes for goals. I know my teammates are depending on me so that keeps me going, plus a passion for the game.”
Mueller echoed many of those sentiments.
“Going forward we’ll work on finishing,” Mueller said. “Coach is always telling us mids to test the keeper, so I tried to do that at different times. Perhaps you get a good bounce, and I know our forwards are ready for any rebounds.”
Plainfield Central looks to a Thursday visit from Batavia that serves as the first of four-straight home dates for the Wildcats to build upon.
Waubonsie Valley makes a Friday visit to Leyden before opening DuPage Valley Conference action at home against Lake Park on Sept. 5.
“Our philosophy is direct and simple, be better today than yesterday,” Parrino stated. “Concentrate on working hard and together, physically support your teammates, and mentally never let down.”
That's clearly a strategy designed to get a team from now into the postseason.
Starting lineups
Plainfield Central
GK Shane Badertscher
D Hunter Fuss
D Roger Vera
D Ish Contreras
D Alan Ontiveros
M Zach Bargas
M Josh De Avila
M Jose Ramirez
F Noah Selefski
F Joel Sanchez
F Simeon Adesina
Waubonsie Valley
GK Vincent Rullo
D Noah Glorioso
D Will Krutchen
D Bobby Barnard
D Matt Shannon
M Eric Saucedo
M Mitch Mueller
M Rogello Grimaldo
M Stephan Spano
F Giacomo Parrino
F Juan Gomez
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Mitch Mueller, sr. MF, Waubonsie Valley
Game summary
Waubonsie Valley 0, Plainfield Central 0
Plainfield Central 0 0 -- 0
Waubonsie Valley 0 0 -- 0
Shots
PC 2 – 4 -- 6
WV 10 – 10 -- 20
Shots on goal
PC 1 – 3 -- 3
WV 4 – 5 -- 9
Saves (goalie)
PC (Badertscher) 4 – 5 -- 9
WV (Rullo) 1 – 3 -- 4
Corner kicks
PC 1 – 1 -- 2
WV 1 – 3 -- 4
Offsides
PC 1 – 2 -- 3
WV 0 – 0 -- 0
Officials: Gene Mroz (center), Scott Lichtfuss, Brett Richter