Glenbrook North’s 1st-minute goal
sets tone against Saint Ignatius
Hosts prevail 3-0 against shorthanded Wolfpack
By Mike Garofola
NORTHBROOK -- Glenbrook North beat visiting Saint Ignatius 3-0 Saturday in a nonconference match at William Lutz Stadium.
The Spartans marched around and through a shorthanded Wolfpack club in the first 20 minutes. Three goals in relatively quick succession allowed the hosts to breeze to their third-consecutive victory and up the team record to 8-4-3 after an 0-3-2 start.
"We were much, much better than we were compared to last night. Even though we beat Antioch 3-0, our play was not at the level it was today," said Spartans manager Paul Vignocchi, who Friday learned his club had earned the fifth seed in the New Trier Sectional. The regional host will welcome 9th-seed Saint Patrick to open its playoff campaign Oct. 20.
"We didn't look ready or sharp last night against Antioch. (It's) not what we want to see from the team at this time of the year," continued Vignocchi.
"We challenged the guys to come out and play the way we've been playing, and our great start showed we were ready to go. That was encouraging to see."
Senior Alex Link, who has formed a terrific partnership alongside Jack Redland as the Spartans center back duo, welcomed a new partner Saturday. Junior Ethan Klinghofer stepped in for Redland, who recently sustained a concussion.
Link and Klinghofer looked as if they were a longtime partnership as they kept the Spartans organized and alert. They were willing to join the attack while limiting good looks for visiting Saint Ignatius (4-4-5).
"Alex and Jack have played very well together,” said Vignocchi. “While we await Jack’s return, we've asked Ethan to step into his role. With Alex the perfect mentor back there, you could see the two of them feel comfortable playing alongside each other."
The Spartans central defenders shared the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honor for their work.
"We got off to a great start today, moved and kept the ball for most of the day. For Ethan and myself, I thought we communicated well and really clicked working together along the back," said Link.
"We got ourselves a really big win the other night against Evanston (2-1, Sept. 28) after dropping a tough 2-1 game with New Trier (Sept. 23).
“We really didn't play that well last night against Antioch. It was good to see us come out and play like we did, especially in the first half when we went out to that 3-0 lead."
Evanston is ranked fourth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 poll. The Wildkits earned the well-deserved top seed in the New Trier Sectional, thanks in part to its win over second-seeded and fifth-ranked New Trier, and its dazzling 13-2-3 record.
Matt Miller, the fine manager of Saint Ignatius, brought a club that was without six of its starters including both strikers, a center back and his keeper.
Back-up goalkeeper Andrew Krayer did an admirable job between the sticks despite having many new faces in front of him.
"We really enjoy bringing the lads to the North Suburbs to get a different look and style of play," began Miller. “Today we were a little challenged with so many players out with injuries, which forced us to bring (two) from our JV to help fill out our roster. We moved others around to fill the roles of those who were missing.
"We obviously struggled during the first 20-25 minutes because of having players in different spots, and playing in our 3-5-2 formation, but we slowly got ourselves into the game and played much better in the second half."
Miller, who called his club the King of Draws before the opening whistle due to its five ties this season, entered the game off a 2-2 result at Young on Thursday afternoon.
He knew the firepower the Spartans possessed would be a challenge, thus the 3-5-2 formation with an offside trap to hopefully jam things up in the middle of the park.
"You live and die playing that way, but I thought we did pretty well with that today," Miller said.
The Wolfpack forced the assistant referees to raise their flags at least nine times during the 80 minutes to curtail Glenbrook North’s hopes of adding to its score line.
Off a deep throw-in the first minute of play, Spartans senior Devin Spiggos steered in the opener and eventual game-winner when he was left alone to thump a well-placed header.
"That was not the start that we wanted or needed. We just were not awake or ready to go," admitted Wolfpack senior and co-captain Jack Lowe, who opened this contest in the Miller’ first 11 in the middle of the five-man midfield.
"That early first goal really woke us up. We've got to come out ready to play, especially today when we're not at full strength and playing such a good opponent."
Krayer did well to collect a looping ball sent into his box by Tal Yedlin; he fought the wind and bright sun in his face in the 5th minute.
On the other end of the field Klinghofer, in his first challenge of the day, tackled Tyler Masseur with precision after he was put through by Oscar Quinn-Pasin.
"I feel bad for Jack who is injured right now," said Kliinghofer. “I wanted to come in and do my best today and help us not only get the win but a clean-sheet as well. It’s really important for those of us playing along the back and for our keeper also.”
The Spartans continued their momentum up to their next strike when Yedlin sent Ian Lee through in the 12th minute for an attempt that found the far post.
Brian Pekala, who earned the assist on the Spiggos goal, added another to his resume when he, along with Miles Wolder set up Michael Abrams in the 13th minute for a 2-0 lead.
Wolders' big win on a second ball quickly went to Pekala, who latched onto the pass before whipping a near-perfect helper to the unmarked Abrams at the back post for an easy one-timer.
The Spartans attack, now free-flowing with pace, purpose and speed nearly saw Pekala get in on Krayer if not for a last-second tackle.
Sam Lappin headed a Lee corner over the bar moments later, and Wolder came close to running onto a nicely played early ball from Aadit Vanjani.
Then Lappin pried open an exhausted Wolfpack defense with a superb ball to Pekala, who tricked his way around and past his challenger and then a charging Krayer to slot home the Spartans final goal at 19 minutes.
Vignocchi took one-half dozen of his first 11 off the third goal to give his bench valuable minutes. Glenbrook North’s fresh legs worked themselves into the game.
Sophomore Steven Rhee went over the bar when he chased down a long cross-field ball out of the back in the 28th minute. That was the best of a handful of half-chances the Spartans created running up to intermission.
Saint Ignatius was happy to get a break.
"All we were doing at that point of the game was defending, and trying to neutralize (their) attack to get ourselves into the half," said Miller. “Then we could make adjustments, and sort things out, and the boys did the best they could with a lot of effort and heart.”
With a little bit of luck added, the visitors weathered a 20-minute storm to head into the break chasing three.
The Wolfpack changed to a 4-2-3-1 in the second half with Lowe and Dillion Kraft playing at the six with Jack Regan, Nick Williamson and Roman Marsh just in front of them.
"I liked the way we fought through our first half," said Lowe. “But in the second, we came out and played with more intensity and urgency, and finished this game so much stronger than we started.”
Some of Saint Ignatius’ new talent turned heads.
"Roman, who's just a freshman, needs to be recognized for his effort today,” said Miller. “He played nearly 80 minutes and did well out there for us."
Early second half chances fell to both sides - Spiggos tested Krayer from the spot in the 42nd minute. Glenbrook North’s Jahub Murzyn came off his line aggressively to grab a ball from Kraft after the senior chipped over the Spartans backline.
Klinghofer showed terrific composure when pressured by two opponents, one on each shoulder, who looked to grab an early ball in the box.
The junior calmly played a ball back to Murzyn with pace and plenty of accuracy to end the potential threat.
"Ethan did well out there today (really) embraced his role by showing good communication skills and the ability to read the game," said Vignocchi.
Saint Ignatius had some opportunities to get on the scoreboard. Quinn-Pasin bent his free kick attempt around and over the post from 20 yards in the 57th minute.
Glenbrook North’s Wolder did the same in the 66th minute.
Later, Wolder was allowed to tee-up from 30 yards but his 30-yard cracker was turned away by Krayer with a nice reaction save in the last few minutes of this contest.
Quinn-Pasin gave Lowe one last chance for Saint Ignatius in the 80th minute, but his cracker went off the football crossbar.
"We told the team at the half it's 0-0 (and) to try to win the second half," began Miller.
"We had a chance to do so right at the end. The effort was there from all of the players. It was something to be proud of and to take with us going forward."
Saint Ignatius will finish up league play away at St Laurence on Tuesday with the hope to improve its record to 3-1-2 in the Chicago Catholic League Blue Division.
Glenbrook North has a three-game week with home games against Independent School League power Latin and Central Suburban League North Division champion Niles North and a trip to ever-tough West Suburban Conference mainstay Hinsdale Central.
Glenbrook South left the field with its momentum
a good feeling.
"It was good to see us bounce back with a solid overall effort today and to finish our week with three wins in as many games to help us get prepared for the last few games of our regular season and the playoffs," offered Link.
Starting lineups
Saint Ignatius (3-5-2)
G: Andrew Krayer
D: Brody Hanlon
D: Dillion Kraft
D: Billy Thompson
M: Jake Regan
M: Colin Chough
M: Jack Lowe
M: Roman Marsh
M: Christian Rodriguez
F: Oscar Quinn-Pasin
F: Tyler Masseur
Glenbrook North (4-4-2)
G: Jakub Murzyn
D: Tal Yedlin
D: Alex Link
D: Ethan Klinghofer
D: Dylan Mankoff
M: Ian Lee
M: Miles Wolder
M: Sam Lappin
M: Devin Spiggos
F: Brian Pekala
F: Michael Abrams
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Alex Link, sr., D, Glenbrook North; Ethan Klinghofer, jr., D, Glenbrook North
Referee: Amir Zahirovic
Scoring summary
First half
Glenbrook North: Spiggos (Pekala) 1’
Glenbrook North: Abrams (Pekala) 13'
Glenbrook North: Pekala (Lappin) 19'
Second half
No scoring
sets tone against Saint Ignatius
Hosts prevail 3-0 against shorthanded Wolfpack
By Mike Garofola
NORTHBROOK -- Glenbrook North beat visiting Saint Ignatius 3-0 Saturday in a nonconference match at William Lutz Stadium.
The Spartans marched around and through a shorthanded Wolfpack club in the first 20 minutes. Three goals in relatively quick succession allowed the hosts to breeze to their third-consecutive victory and up the team record to 8-4-3 after an 0-3-2 start.
"We were much, much better than we were compared to last night. Even though we beat Antioch 3-0, our play was not at the level it was today," said Spartans manager Paul Vignocchi, who Friday learned his club had earned the fifth seed in the New Trier Sectional. The regional host will welcome 9th-seed Saint Patrick to open its playoff campaign Oct. 20.
"We didn't look ready or sharp last night against Antioch. (It's) not what we want to see from the team at this time of the year," continued Vignocchi.
"We challenged the guys to come out and play the way we've been playing, and our great start showed we were ready to go. That was encouraging to see."
Senior Alex Link, who has formed a terrific partnership alongside Jack Redland as the Spartans center back duo, welcomed a new partner Saturday. Junior Ethan Klinghofer stepped in for Redland, who recently sustained a concussion.
Link and Klinghofer looked as if they were a longtime partnership as they kept the Spartans organized and alert. They were willing to join the attack while limiting good looks for visiting Saint Ignatius (4-4-5).
"Alex and Jack have played very well together,” said Vignocchi. “While we await Jack’s return, we've asked Ethan to step into his role. With Alex the perfect mentor back there, you could see the two of them feel comfortable playing alongside each other."
The Spartans central defenders shared the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match honor for their work.
"We got off to a great start today, moved and kept the ball for most of the day. For Ethan and myself, I thought we communicated well and really clicked working together along the back," said Link.
"We got ourselves a really big win the other night against Evanston (2-1, Sept. 28) after dropping a tough 2-1 game with New Trier (Sept. 23).
“We really didn't play that well last night against Antioch. It was good to see us come out and play like we did, especially in the first half when we went out to that 3-0 lead."
Evanston is ranked fourth in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 poll. The Wildkits earned the well-deserved top seed in the New Trier Sectional, thanks in part to its win over second-seeded and fifth-ranked New Trier, and its dazzling 13-2-3 record.
Matt Miller, the fine manager of Saint Ignatius, brought a club that was without six of its starters including both strikers, a center back and his keeper.
Back-up goalkeeper Andrew Krayer did an admirable job between the sticks despite having many new faces in front of him.
"We really enjoy bringing the lads to the North Suburbs to get a different look and style of play," began Miller. “Today we were a little challenged with so many players out with injuries, which forced us to bring (two) from our JV to help fill out our roster. We moved others around to fill the roles of those who were missing.
"We obviously struggled during the first 20-25 minutes because of having players in different spots, and playing in our 3-5-2 formation, but we slowly got ourselves into the game and played much better in the second half."
Miller, who called his club the King of Draws before the opening whistle due to its five ties this season, entered the game off a 2-2 result at Young on Thursday afternoon.
He knew the firepower the Spartans possessed would be a challenge, thus the 3-5-2 formation with an offside trap to hopefully jam things up in the middle of the park.
"You live and die playing that way, but I thought we did pretty well with that today," Miller said.
The Wolfpack forced the assistant referees to raise their flags at least nine times during the 80 minutes to curtail Glenbrook North’s hopes of adding to its score line.
Off a deep throw-in the first minute of play, Spartans senior Devin Spiggos steered in the opener and eventual game-winner when he was left alone to thump a well-placed header.
"That was not the start that we wanted or needed. We just were not awake or ready to go," admitted Wolfpack senior and co-captain Jack Lowe, who opened this contest in the Miller’ first 11 in the middle of the five-man midfield.
"That early first goal really woke us up. We've got to come out ready to play, especially today when we're not at full strength and playing such a good opponent."
Krayer did well to collect a looping ball sent into his box by Tal Yedlin; he fought the wind and bright sun in his face in the 5th minute.
On the other end of the field Klinghofer, in his first challenge of the day, tackled Tyler Masseur with precision after he was put through by Oscar Quinn-Pasin.
"I feel bad for Jack who is injured right now," said Kliinghofer. “I wanted to come in and do my best today and help us not only get the win but a clean-sheet as well. It’s really important for those of us playing along the back and for our keeper also.”
The Spartans continued their momentum up to their next strike when Yedlin sent Ian Lee through in the 12th minute for an attempt that found the far post.
Brian Pekala, who earned the assist on the Spiggos goal, added another to his resume when he, along with Miles Wolder set up Michael Abrams in the 13th minute for a 2-0 lead.
Wolders' big win on a second ball quickly went to Pekala, who latched onto the pass before whipping a near-perfect helper to the unmarked Abrams at the back post for an easy one-timer.
The Spartans attack, now free-flowing with pace, purpose and speed nearly saw Pekala get in on Krayer if not for a last-second tackle.
Sam Lappin headed a Lee corner over the bar moments later, and Wolder came close to running onto a nicely played early ball from Aadit Vanjani.
Then Lappin pried open an exhausted Wolfpack defense with a superb ball to Pekala, who tricked his way around and past his challenger and then a charging Krayer to slot home the Spartans final goal at 19 minutes.
Vignocchi took one-half dozen of his first 11 off the third goal to give his bench valuable minutes. Glenbrook North’s fresh legs worked themselves into the game.
Sophomore Steven Rhee went over the bar when he chased down a long cross-field ball out of the back in the 28th minute. That was the best of a handful of half-chances the Spartans created running up to intermission.
Saint Ignatius was happy to get a break.
"All we were doing at that point of the game was defending, and trying to neutralize (their) attack to get ourselves into the half," said Miller. “Then we could make adjustments, and sort things out, and the boys did the best they could with a lot of effort and heart.”
With a little bit of luck added, the visitors weathered a 20-minute storm to head into the break chasing three.
The Wolfpack changed to a 4-2-3-1 in the second half with Lowe and Dillion Kraft playing at the six with Jack Regan, Nick Williamson and Roman Marsh just in front of them.
"I liked the way we fought through our first half," said Lowe. “But in the second, we came out and played with more intensity and urgency, and finished this game so much stronger than we started.”
Some of Saint Ignatius’ new talent turned heads.
"Roman, who's just a freshman, needs to be recognized for his effort today,” said Miller. “He played nearly 80 minutes and did well out there for us."
Early second half chances fell to both sides - Spiggos tested Krayer from the spot in the 42nd minute. Glenbrook North’s Jahub Murzyn came off his line aggressively to grab a ball from Kraft after the senior chipped over the Spartans backline.
Klinghofer showed terrific composure when pressured by two opponents, one on each shoulder, who looked to grab an early ball in the box.
The junior calmly played a ball back to Murzyn with pace and plenty of accuracy to end the potential threat.
"Ethan did well out there today (really) embraced his role by showing good communication skills and the ability to read the game," said Vignocchi.
Saint Ignatius had some opportunities to get on the scoreboard. Quinn-Pasin bent his free kick attempt around and over the post from 20 yards in the 57th minute.
Glenbrook North’s Wolder did the same in the 66th minute.
Later, Wolder was allowed to tee-up from 30 yards but his 30-yard cracker was turned away by Krayer with a nice reaction save in the last few minutes of this contest.
Quinn-Pasin gave Lowe one last chance for Saint Ignatius in the 80th minute, but his cracker went off the football crossbar.
"We told the team at the half it's 0-0 (and) to try to win the second half," began Miller.
"We had a chance to do so right at the end. The effort was there from all of the players. It was something to be proud of and to take with us going forward."
Saint Ignatius will finish up league play away at St Laurence on Tuesday with the hope to improve its record to 3-1-2 in the Chicago Catholic League Blue Division.
Glenbrook North has a three-game week with home games against Independent School League power Latin and Central Suburban League North Division champion Niles North and a trip to ever-tough West Suburban Conference mainstay Hinsdale Central.
Glenbrook South left the field with its momentum
a good feeling.
"It was good to see us bounce back with a solid overall effort today and to finish our week with three wins in as many games to help us get prepared for the last few games of our regular season and the playoffs," offered Link.
Starting lineups
Saint Ignatius (3-5-2)
G: Andrew Krayer
D: Brody Hanlon
D: Dillion Kraft
D: Billy Thompson
M: Jake Regan
M: Colin Chough
M: Jack Lowe
M: Roman Marsh
M: Christian Rodriguez
F: Oscar Quinn-Pasin
F: Tyler Masseur
Glenbrook North (4-4-2)
G: Jakub Murzyn
D: Tal Yedlin
D: Alex Link
D: Ethan Klinghofer
D: Dylan Mankoff
M: Ian Lee
M: Miles Wolder
M: Sam Lappin
M: Devin Spiggos
F: Brian Pekala
F: Michael Abrams
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Alex Link, sr., D, Glenbrook North; Ethan Klinghofer, jr., D, Glenbrook North
Referee: Amir Zahirovic
Scoring summary
First half
Glenbrook North: Spiggos (Pekala) 1’
Glenbrook North: Abrams (Pekala) 13'
Glenbrook North: Pekala (Lappin) 19'
Second half
No scoring