St. Francis falls, but takes Loyola to brink
Leider, Gripman star in 2-1 win, but SF gains newfound optimism
By Patrick Z. McGavin
GLENVIEW -- If beauty is indeed “in the eye of the beholder,” the instance of players and coaches of opposite outcomes reaching similar conclusions highlights what made for some riveting soccer and standout play.
“I was more pleased tonight than I have been in a long time,” St. Francis coach Kevin Ward said.
His counterpart, Loyola coach Baer Fisher, assessing his team’s play. “I am really happy with the performance, by far our best this year.”
Two teams playing hard, aggressive and clean soccer go against the grain and create their own objective reality. The desire for victory sometimes overshadows the process needed to achieve favorable actions. Likewise, defeat is tough though often illuminating.
Loyola altered the script of its own frequent narrative with an early Collin Leider goal and used a beautiful scoring sequence by David Gripman to withstand the Spartans’ late comeback for the 2-1 victory in a Chicago Catholic League crossover Thursday night at Munz Campus.
“It’s unfortunate that we walked away with a loss,” Ward said. “We kind of go through a mental lapse and gave away an (early) goal. I am pleased where we are and what we are doing. I think if we hang in there, we will be okay in the long run.”
Despite their successful start on the year, Loyola (6-1-0) has been a slow-starting side, typically using the beginning of matches to find its rhythm and organizing shape. As Leider, one of the team’s standouts, pointed out, it was a risky strategy that was bound to catch up to them. The Ramblers, he said, had to locate their energy earlier.
This time Loyola found its groove right away. In the fourth minute, midfielder Andrew Hoepner slotted the ball to Leider. The junior midfielder went to work, creating space and fired a sharp and electric ball that passed uninhibited into the Spartans’ goal for the stunning early score.
“That was a great shot, and seeing that, our midfielders picked up their energy and the defenders also picked it up,” senior defender Jonas Madison said. “You start a game out, and you see a goal with 36 minutes on the clock, now you know you have to really battle. We have to be perfect or lose this lead. The early offense definitely helped our performance, teaching us that we have to press as early as we can.”
No team wants to surrender a goal that quickly. St. Francis (2-4-0) was knocked back by the early blow. The repercussions of such a score are manifold, either crippling or motivating a responce.
“Here’s what I have seen out of these guys all year long,” Ward said. “They have not given up. That’s why I am hopeful.”
The Spartans regrouped and worked aggressively to exploit vulnerabilities or open spaces against Loyola. A dazzling early combination involving midfielder Sean Conley and senior forward Leo Herard produced a dangerous opportunity for junior midfielder Luke Herard.
Leo Herard, the Spartans’ lone forward, combines excellent speed, vision and ability on the ball. He applied considerable pressure against the Ramblers, underlining how the Spartans were dazed but not wiped out after conceding the early goal.
“After the first goal in the first four minutes, it was kind of a shocker,” Leo Herard said. “Fortunately we were not too worried. In both halves we played the ball really well. We were moving it. We were creating chances, and I thought we dominated most of the game. We definitely came out with more intensity, because we knew we could play with these guys. And we knew if we kept working, we’d get a few goals out of it.
“Unfortunately we were not able to finish it.”
The ramifications of the early goal cut both ways. Sometimes it yields a false sense of security or overconfidence. Leider said he felt his team start to check out after the strong first 10 minutes.
“I think it was great to start out early, but we did slump down a little after the goal,” he said. “Our first 10 minutes were strong, and then it was on-and-off for us the rest of the half. I mean it was nice to start out well, but we still have a lot of work to do.”
St. Francis senior keeper Ryan Scharf made several impressive stops, including a laser from the right wing by Gripman in the 30th minute. The balance of the first half played out fairly evenly as the Spartans showed more sustained moments of possession and the Ramblers’ defense adjusted in kind.
In taking over the program three years ago, Fisher sought to instill a more demanding and disciplined style of soccer. The Ramblers have responded. The players have sacrificed and demonstrated greater resolve and perseverance. Success has only deepened the trust between players and coaches.
“The biggest difference is the work ethic,” Leider said. “Ever since Fisher started coaching, our work ethic has been the most important thing, and it is what has made us so much better than what we were before. You see that in the way we play and attack. Now, I think, getting the ball wide to Gripman and me, that’s a dangerous attack”
Gripman was slowed earlier in the year by hamstring issues. He is fully healthy now and his speed is a game-changer, a next level burst that adds a dimension to the Ramblers’ attack. This is the second year of Leider and Gripman playing together, and they have developed a chemistry. Their games mesh well, Leider has strength and size, and Gripman is dangerously quick.
“Sometimes you give him the ball and just get out of the way,” Leider said.
Gripman showcased his abilities in the 61st minute, receiving a through-ball on the left edge from senior midfielder Nick Lew. He raced past two defenders, made a quick juke move that forced Scharf to come off his line, and he finished with a reverse pirouette and left-footed smash inside the far post. For his overall play, Gripman earned the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honor.
St. Francis did not go quietly in the night. The Gripman goal provided some breathing space for the Ramblers. The Spartans did not lessen their own resolve to make a match. The final 20 minutes featured some of the strongest and most sustained offensive play of the year for the Spartans.
“We have talked a lot lately about our ball possession and execution,” Ward said. St. Francis delivered, changing sides quickly and moving the ball. In the 50th minute Leo Herard got loose in the back for a direct confrontation with Loyola keeper Frank Baio and just missed, sailing the ball slightly over the top of the bar.
The Spartans’ middle attack, especially Ryan Pennington, Frank Marsico and Sean Conley, gashed the Ramblers’ back and exerted tremendous pressure. The combination and build-up paid off in the 66th minute. Herard sent a ball to a streaking Conley that Baio aggressively challenged, resulting in a collision. The referee ruled Baio committed a foul.
Pennington converted the penalty kick. Newly energized, the Spartans took Loyola to the limit.
In the 72nd minute, Leo Herard got to the left edge for a dangerous encounter with Baio.
“I beat the defender down to the left, and I tried to play it into the middle, just in front of the keeper to try to get it into the box but he was able to deflect it out,” Herard said. “We were working it up. We did everything right except for the last piece. That’s the part that counts.”
Loyola did not secure the victory until the closing seconds as Baio smothered a final shot attempt inside the box. St. Francis saw evidence of a new excitement and proved it is much better than its current record.
“In the second half, we were down one goal, but we did not give up,” Ward said. “There was no arguing, no cards, no dissent. If we stay there we are fine.”
Loyola showed composure and skill on both sides.
“We put everything together,” Fisher said. “We defended well. We were a bit unlucky in the penalty kick call, in my opinion, but that is how it goes, and we overcame it. In the end we earned the victory.”
Starting lineups
St. Francis
GK: Ryan Scharf
D: Jacob Power
D: Henry Roback
D: Trey Gora
D: Ethan Grosam
MF: Ryan Pennington
MF: Nicholas Gulli
MF: Sean Conley
MF: Frank Marsico
MF: Jack Hartle
F: Leo Herard
Loyola
GK: Frank Baio
D: Jonas Madison
D: John Wilson
D: Luke Phillips
MF: Tommy Zipprich
MF: Nick Roscoe
MF: Nick Lew
MF: Andrew Hoepner
MF: Christian Jimenez
F: Collin Leider
F: David Gripman
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: David Gripman, jr., F, Loyola
Scoring summary
First half
Loyola—Collin Leider (Andrew Hoepfner), fourth minute
Second half
Loyola—David Gripman (Nick Lew), 61st minute
St. Francis—Ryan Pennington (penalty kick), 66th minute
Leider, Gripman star in 2-1 win, but SF gains newfound optimism
By Patrick Z. McGavin
GLENVIEW -- If beauty is indeed “in the eye of the beholder,” the instance of players and coaches of opposite outcomes reaching similar conclusions highlights what made for some riveting soccer and standout play.
“I was more pleased tonight than I have been in a long time,” St. Francis coach Kevin Ward said.
His counterpart, Loyola coach Baer Fisher, assessing his team’s play. “I am really happy with the performance, by far our best this year.”
Two teams playing hard, aggressive and clean soccer go against the grain and create their own objective reality. The desire for victory sometimes overshadows the process needed to achieve favorable actions. Likewise, defeat is tough though often illuminating.
Loyola altered the script of its own frequent narrative with an early Collin Leider goal and used a beautiful scoring sequence by David Gripman to withstand the Spartans’ late comeback for the 2-1 victory in a Chicago Catholic League crossover Thursday night at Munz Campus.
“It’s unfortunate that we walked away with a loss,” Ward said. “We kind of go through a mental lapse and gave away an (early) goal. I am pleased where we are and what we are doing. I think if we hang in there, we will be okay in the long run.”
Despite their successful start on the year, Loyola (6-1-0) has been a slow-starting side, typically using the beginning of matches to find its rhythm and organizing shape. As Leider, one of the team’s standouts, pointed out, it was a risky strategy that was bound to catch up to them. The Ramblers, he said, had to locate their energy earlier.
This time Loyola found its groove right away. In the fourth minute, midfielder Andrew Hoepner slotted the ball to Leider. The junior midfielder went to work, creating space and fired a sharp and electric ball that passed uninhibited into the Spartans’ goal for the stunning early score.
“That was a great shot, and seeing that, our midfielders picked up their energy and the defenders also picked it up,” senior defender Jonas Madison said. “You start a game out, and you see a goal with 36 minutes on the clock, now you know you have to really battle. We have to be perfect or lose this lead. The early offense definitely helped our performance, teaching us that we have to press as early as we can.”
No team wants to surrender a goal that quickly. St. Francis (2-4-0) was knocked back by the early blow. The repercussions of such a score are manifold, either crippling or motivating a responce.
“Here’s what I have seen out of these guys all year long,” Ward said. “They have not given up. That’s why I am hopeful.”
The Spartans regrouped and worked aggressively to exploit vulnerabilities or open spaces against Loyola. A dazzling early combination involving midfielder Sean Conley and senior forward Leo Herard produced a dangerous opportunity for junior midfielder Luke Herard.
Leo Herard, the Spartans’ lone forward, combines excellent speed, vision and ability on the ball. He applied considerable pressure against the Ramblers, underlining how the Spartans were dazed but not wiped out after conceding the early goal.
“After the first goal in the first four minutes, it was kind of a shocker,” Leo Herard said. “Fortunately we were not too worried. In both halves we played the ball really well. We were moving it. We were creating chances, and I thought we dominated most of the game. We definitely came out with more intensity, because we knew we could play with these guys. And we knew if we kept working, we’d get a few goals out of it.
“Unfortunately we were not able to finish it.”
The ramifications of the early goal cut both ways. Sometimes it yields a false sense of security or overconfidence. Leider said he felt his team start to check out after the strong first 10 minutes.
“I think it was great to start out early, but we did slump down a little after the goal,” he said. “Our first 10 minutes were strong, and then it was on-and-off for us the rest of the half. I mean it was nice to start out well, but we still have a lot of work to do.”
St. Francis senior keeper Ryan Scharf made several impressive stops, including a laser from the right wing by Gripman in the 30th minute. The balance of the first half played out fairly evenly as the Spartans showed more sustained moments of possession and the Ramblers’ defense adjusted in kind.
In taking over the program three years ago, Fisher sought to instill a more demanding and disciplined style of soccer. The Ramblers have responded. The players have sacrificed and demonstrated greater resolve and perseverance. Success has only deepened the trust between players and coaches.
“The biggest difference is the work ethic,” Leider said. “Ever since Fisher started coaching, our work ethic has been the most important thing, and it is what has made us so much better than what we were before. You see that in the way we play and attack. Now, I think, getting the ball wide to Gripman and me, that’s a dangerous attack”
Gripman was slowed earlier in the year by hamstring issues. He is fully healthy now and his speed is a game-changer, a next level burst that adds a dimension to the Ramblers’ attack. This is the second year of Leider and Gripman playing together, and they have developed a chemistry. Their games mesh well, Leider has strength and size, and Gripman is dangerously quick.
“Sometimes you give him the ball and just get out of the way,” Leider said.
Gripman showcased his abilities in the 61st minute, receiving a through-ball on the left edge from senior midfielder Nick Lew. He raced past two defenders, made a quick juke move that forced Scharf to come off his line, and he finished with a reverse pirouette and left-footed smash inside the far post. For his overall play, Gripman earned the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honor.
St. Francis did not go quietly in the night. The Gripman goal provided some breathing space for the Ramblers. The Spartans did not lessen their own resolve to make a match. The final 20 minutes featured some of the strongest and most sustained offensive play of the year for the Spartans.
“We have talked a lot lately about our ball possession and execution,” Ward said. St. Francis delivered, changing sides quickly and moving the ball. In the 50th minute Leo Herard got loose in the back for a direct confrontation with Loyola keeper Frank Baio and just missed, sailing the ball slightly over the top of the bar.
The Spartans’ middle attack, especially Ryan Pennington, Frank Marsico and Sean Conley, gashed the Ramblers’ back and exerted tremendous pressure. The combination and build-up paid off in the 66th minute. Herard sent a ball to a streaking Conley that Baio aggressively challenged, resulting in a collision. The referee ruled Baio committed a foul.
Pennington converted the penalty kick. Newly energized, the Spartans took Loyola to the limit.
In the 72nd minute, Leo Herard got to the left edge for a dangerous encounter with Baio.
“I beat the defender down to the left, and I tried to play it into the middle, just in front of the keeper to try to get it into the box but he was able to deflect it out,” Herard said. “We were working it up. We did everything right except for the last piece. That’s the part that counts.”
Loyola did not secure the victory until the closing seconds as Baio smothered a final shot attempt inside the box. St. Francis saw evidence of a new excitement and proved it is much better than its current record.
“In the second half, we were down one goal, but we did not give up,” Ward said. “There was no arguing, no cards, no dissent. If we stay there we are fine.”
Loyola showed composure and skill on both sides.
“We put everything together,” Fisher said. “We defended well. We were a bit unlucky in the penalty kick call, in my opinion, but that is how it goes, and we overcame it. In the end we earned the victory.”
Starting lineups
St. Francis
GK: Ryan Scharf
D: Jacob Power
D: Henry Roback
D: Trey Gora
D: Ethan Grosam
MF: Ryan Pennington
MF: Nicholas Gulli
MF: Sean Conley
MF: Frank Marsico
MF: Jack Hartle
F: Leo Herard
Loyola
GK: Frank Baio
D: Jonas Madison
D: John Wilson
D: Luke Phillips
MF: Tommy Zipprich
MF: Nick Roscoe
MF: Nick Lew
MF: Andrew Hoepner
MF: Christian Jimenez
F: Collin Leider
F: David Gripman
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: David Gripman, jr., F, Loyola
Scoring summary
First half
Loyola—Collin Leider (Andrew Hoepfner), fourth minute
Second half
Loyola—David Gripman (Nick Lew), 61st minute
St. Francis—Ryan Pennington (penalty kick), 66th minute