St. Patrick plays it forward for 2nd win
Modrzejewski brace leads Shamrocks past Parker for 2-1 win
By Patrick Z. McGavin
CHICAGO -- Every once in awhile it becomes necessary to stop for a moment and simply look around. St. Patrick and Parker had just such a moment Thursday afternoon -- their early-season showdown was played in a beautiful and visually striking turf field wedged between Lake Shore Drive and Montrose Beach.
Parker, the small private liberal arts school, is a Class A state powerhouse in both boys and girls soccer. Coach Neil Curran has built an admirable program capable of holding its own against larger schools. It is a family affair at Parker. Many of the players on the boys and girls teams are brothers and sisters.
Curran's boys teams have captured three state trophies, including third place finishes in 2011 and 2013. The girls team reached the Class A state title game in 2013.
That is the higher level to which St. Patrick aspires under the direction of its coach Kyle McClure, who arrived three years ago avid to alter the culture and attitude.
“It is very exciting to be a part of this,” senior forward Chris Modrzejewski said. “We are building a program to compete. We used to be a program that played just to have fun. Now we are slowly building up the ranks.”
Modrzejewski has been the face of the program. He arrived with McClure, and the two are riding a wave of enthusiasm, ambition and a deepening talent pool.
Modrzejewski scored two goals late in the first half as the Shamrocks built some crucial space from the Colonels and captured a 2-1 victory in a sharp and competitive nonconference game.
In a curious twist of the schedule, St. Patrick and Parker play a rematch next Thursday in a tournament game at Glenbrook South. That game had no impact on the strategy or tactics Thursday, both coaches said.
Parker was looking for its first win after a disappointing draw with rival North Shore Country Day on Tuesday. St. Patrick was eager to build off the momentum of its lopsided 8-0 victory against Elmwood Park and get a more accurate account of its strengths.
“I thought we played pretty well,” McClure said. “We did not come out with quite the same intensity that we did on Tuesday [against Elmwood Park], which is quite concerning to me. If we are not playing with a lot of intensity than we are not attacking. In order for us to be good, we need to be really aggressive going to the goal and attacking.”
Parker’s two center backs, Cameron Miller and Aaron Stone, are physical and talented players who proved particularly nettlesome and disruptive in the final third of the Shamrocks’ attack. Playing in the wide and open spaces of the Wilson facility, St. Patrick possessed well and was able to build its attack. Parker did an exemplary job of tightening spaces and shutting down open lanes and windows.
“We tried to give them the best we possibly could,” Curran said. “I thought the first two thirds of the first half we played very well, and then we just completely collapsed that last 10 or 15 minutes.”
Parker’s senior keeper, Chase Heyman, also proved difficult to solve. He recorded eight saves. He was limber, quick and athletic, and he anticipated extremely well.
“We tried to come out like we did on Tuesday,” McClure said. “Parker was really solid in the back. Their two center [backs] were really good. We did not have quite as many opportunities as we did Tuesday.
“We had some opportunities that I thought we could have finished on. We have to work on our finishing.”
Parker absorbed a significant amount of pressure. A physical and rangy player, Modrzejewski combines excellent size with strong anticipation skills and a varied skill set. He is excellent both in space and inside the box. He showcased those abilities with the game still very much up for grabs.
The Shamrocks’ pressure paid off in the final stretch of the first half. Off a free kick originating from the right wing from about 25 yards, sophomore defender Jonathan Rodriguez served a ball that sophomore midfielder Aaron Moreno-Lopez deftly played toward the top of the box. Modrzejewski elevated to finish with a brilliant header in the 29th minute.
“I just saw the opportunity, and I just went up for it 100 percent and scored,” Modrzejewski said. The Parker game was a replay of Tuesday’s season opener for the talented senior. He also scored two goals in that game and repeated as the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match for his accomplishments.
“It was just nice and slow build-up from the back and then getting the follow through quickly and just good execution on our part,” he said.
Modrzejewski is a quick and decisive leaper, and he was the first to make contact. That was the difference, despite Parker playing tough defense in the sequence.
“On the first goal, I thought it was just well played on their part,” Curran said. “[Modrzejewski] is a strong player. It was a nice service, and we did not do well enough to clear it.”
St. Patrick (2-0-0) maintained the pressure late in the half. Modrzejewski created another strong opportunity by driving against the Colonels and incurring a foul that resulted in a penalty kick attempt. He also recorded a penalty kick goal in the Elmwood Park game Tuesday.
He calmly converted for the 2-0 advantage in the 39th minute.
“When I grab the ball and get ready to kick, I just zone out everything around me, all the players,” he said. “I just look at the keeper and see where he might go. I saw him step over to the left side, so I just placed it to the other side.”
Parker (0-1-1) refused to yield and responded sharply at the beginning of the second half. In the 44th minute, junior midfielder Dylan Jung collected a through-ball on the left wing, made a quick switch to pull his defender offline and created enough space to drill a beautiful shot from 18 yards to score the first goal against St. Patrick this season.
“I think we got a little too comfortable going up 2-0, and we let them back into the game,” McClure said.
St. Patrick did not panic at the goal, and used its speed and quickness to spread the field. Parker generated some strong play but never again seriously challenged the Shamrocks’ back or senior keeper Christopher Troyke.
“In this game, I wish we could have strung about 10 more minutes together,” Curran said.
Modrzejewski was again the offensive centerpiece, but he was not alone in generating pressure. Freshman forward Joshua Torres demonstrated a real presence, flashing speed and skill. Two sophomores, Moreno-Lopez and forward Luis Saucedo, also impressed.
“Overall, I thought our play was good,” McClure said. “Our passing was really nice, our spacing was good. Parker is a really solid team, and they played us really tough.”
Before the Parker rematch, St. Patrick plays two very talented, historically significant programs back-to-back: Stevenson; and Wheeling, which holds the no. 11 spot in the Chicagoland Soccer preseason poll.
The good performance against a strong Parker side Thursday was an important step in the Shamrocks' process.
“I think these early games give us a chance to play to our strengths and then get better at what we are already good at,” McClure said. “Playing with a lot of speed, playing a really attacking style, getting guys up into the box and get a lot of opportunities.
"We know any team we play we are going to get opportunities, and we have to be able to finish. We expect to give up some goals, maybe on a counter. We want to be able to play the game on our terms.
“That’s our style, and we want to force teams to adjust to how we attack and move forward.”
Starting lineups
St. Patrick
GK: Christopher Troyke
D: Jonathan Rodriguez
D: Sebastian Modrzejewski
D: Nate Anderson
D: Finn Elsmo
MF: Herbert Carrera
MF: Aaron-Moreno-Lopez
MF: Diego Rivera
MF: Josh Torres
F: Chris Modrzejewski
F: Luis Saucedo
Parker
GK: Chase Heyman
D: Malcolm Hoerr
D: Cameron Miller
D: Aaron Stone
MF: Dylan Jung
MF: Joey Stern
MF: Tomas Catoggio
MF: Fin Gallagher
MF: Jacob Levy
MF: Jared Albert
F: Nick Cortez
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Christopher Modrzejewski, sr., F, St. Patrick
Scoring summary
First half
29th minute St. Patrick Christopher Modrzejewski (Jonathan Rodriguez) 1-0
39th minute St. Patrick Modrzejewski PK 2-0
Second half
44th minute Parker Dylan Jung 2-1
Modrzejewski brace leads Shamrocks past Parker for 2-1 win
By Patrick Z. McGavin
CHICAGO -- Every once in awhile it becomes necessary to stop for a moment and simply look around. St. Patrick and Parker had just such a moment Thursday afternoon -- their early-season showdown was played in a beautiful and visually striking turf field wedged between Lake Shore Drive and Montrose Beach.
Parker, the small private liberal arts school, is a Class A state powerhouse in both boys and girls soccer. Coach Neil Curran has built an admirable program capable of holding its own against larger schools. It is a family affair at Parker. Many of the players on the boys and girls teams are brothers and sisters.
Curran's boys teams have captured three state trophies, including third place finishes in 2011 and 2013. The girls team reached the Class A state title game in 2013.
That is the higher level to which St. Patrick aspires under the direction of its coach Kyle McClure, who arrived three years ago avid to alter the culture and attitude.
“It is very exciting to be a part of this,” senior forward Chris Modrzejewski said. “We are building a program to compete. We used to be a program that played just to have fun. Now we are slowly building up the ranks.”
Modrzejewski has been the face of the program. He arrived with McClure, and the two are riding a wave of enthusiasm, ambition and a deepening talent pool.
Modrzejewski scored two goals late in the first half as the Shamrocks built some crucial space from the Colonels and captured a 2-1 victory in a sharp and competitive nonconference game.
In a curious twist of the schedule, St. Patrick and Parker play a rematch next Thursday in a tournament game at Glenbrook South. That game had no impact on the strategy or tactics Thursday, both coaches said.
Parker was looking for its first win after a disappointing draw with rival North Shore Country Day on Tuesday. St. Patrick was eager to build off the momentum of its lopsided 8-0 victory against Elmwood Park and get a more accurate account of its strengths.
“I thought we played pretty well,” McClure said. “We did not come out with quite the same intensity that we did on Tuesday [against Elmwood Park], which is quite concerning to me. If we are not playing with a lot of intensity than we are not attacking. In order for us to be good, we need to be really aggressive going to the goal and attacking.”
Parker’s two center backs, Cameron Miller and Aaron Stone, are physical and talented players who proved particularly nettlesome and disruptive in the final third of the Shamrocks’ attack. Playing in the wide and open spaces of the Wilson facility, St. Patrick possessed well and was able to build its attack. Parker did an exemplary job of tightening spaces and shutting down open lanes and windows.
“We tried to give them the best we possibly could,” Curran said. “I thought the first two thirds of the first half we played very well, and then we just completely collapsed that last 10 or 15 minutes.”
Parker’s senior keeper, Chase Heyman, also proved difficult to solve. He recorded eight saves. He was limber, quick and athletic, and he anticipated extremely well.
“We tried to come out like we did on Tuesday,” McClure said. “Parker was really solid in the back. Their two center [backs] were really good. We did not have quite as many opportunities as we did Tuesday.
“We had some opportunities that I thought we could have finished on. We have to work on our finishing.”
Parker absorbed a significant amount of pressure. A physical and rangy player, Modrzejewski combines excellent size with strong anticipation skills and a varied skill set. He is excellent both in space and inside the box. He showcased those abilities with the game still very much up for grabs.
The Shamrocks’ pressure paid off in the final stretch of the first half. Off a free kick originating from the right wing from about 25 yards, sophomore defender Jonathan Rodriguez served a ball that sophomore midfielder Aaron Moreno-Lopez deftly played toward the top of the box. Modrzejewski elevated to finish with a brilliant header in the 29th minute.
“I just saw the opportunity, and I just went up for it 100 percent and scored,” Modrzejewski said. The Parker game was a replay of Tuesday’s season opener for the talented senior. He also scored two goals in that game and repeated as the Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match for his accomplishments.
“It was just nice and slow build-up from the back and then getting the follow through quickly and just good execution on our part,” he said.
Modrzejewski is a quick and decisive leaper, and he was the first to make contact. That was the difference, despite Parker playing tough defense in the sequence.
“On the first goal, I thought it was just well played on their part,” Curran said. “[Modrzejewski] is a strong player. It was a nice service, and we did not do well enough to clear it.”
St. Patrick (2-0-0) maintained the pressure late in the half. Modrzejewski created another strong opportunity by driving against the Colonels and incurring a foul that resulted in a penalty kick attempt. He also recorded a penalty kick goal in the Elmwood Park game Tuesday.
He calmly converted for the 2-0 advantage in the 39th minute.
“When I grab the ball and get ready to kick, I just zone out everything around me, all the players,” he said. “I just look at the keeper and see where he might go. I saw him step over to the left side, so I just placed it to the other side.”
Parker (0-1-1) refused to yield and responded sharply at the beginning of the second half. In the 44th minute, junior midfielder Dylan Jung collected a through-ball on the left wing, made a quick switch to pull his defender offline and created enough space to drill a beautiful shot from 18 yards to score the first goal against St. Patrick this season.
“I think we got a little too comfortable going up 2-0, and we let them back into the game,” McClure said.
St. Patrick did not panic at the goal, and used its speed and quickness to spread the field. Parker generated some strong play but never again seriously challenged the Shamrocks’ back or senior keeper Christopher Troyke.
“In this game, I wish we could have strung about 10 more minutes together,” Curran said.
Modrzejewski was again the offensive centerpiece, but he was not alone in generating pressure. Freshman forward Joshua Torres demonstrated a real presence, flashing speed and skill. Two sophomores, Moreno-Lopez and forward Luis Saucedo, also impressed.
“Overall, I thought our play was good,” McClure said. “Our passing was really nice, our spacing was good. Parker is a really solid team, and they played us really tough.”
Before the Parker rematch, St. Patrick plays two very talented, historically significant programs back-to-back: Stevenson; and Wheeling, which holds the no. 11 spot in the Chicagoland Soccer preseason poll.
The good performance against a strong Parker side Thursday was an important step in the Shamrocks' process.
“I think these early games give us a chance to play to our strengths and then get better at what we are already good at,” McClure said. “Playing with a lot of speed, playing a really attacking style, getting guys up into the box and get a lot of opportunities.
"We know any team we play we are going to get opportunities, and we have to be able to finish. We expect to give up some goals, maybe on a counter. We want to be able to play the game on our terms.
“That’s our style, and we want to force teams to adjust to how we attack and move forward.”
Starting lineups
St. Patrick
GK: Christopher Troyke
D: Jonathan Rodriguez
D: Sebastian Modrzejewski
D: Nate Anderson
D: Finn Elsmo
MF: Herbert Carrera
MF: Aaron-Moreno-Lopez
MF: Diego Rivera
MF: Josh Torres
F: Chris Modrzejewski
F: Luis Saucedo
Parker
GK: Chase Heyman
D: Malcolm Hoerr
D: Cameron Miller
D: Aaron Stone
MF: Dylan Jung
MF: Joey Stern
MF: Tomas Catoggio
MF: Fin Gallagher
MF: Jacob Levy
MF: Jared Albert
F: Nick Cortez
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match: Christopher Modrzejewski, sr., F, St. Patrick
Scoring summary
First half
29th minute St. Patrick Christopher Modrzejewski (Jonathan Rodriguez) 1-0
39th minute St. Patrick Modrzejewski PK 2-0
Second half
44th minute Parker Dylan Jung 2-1