Tie helps fit more things together as Taft, Glenbrook North work on team puzzles
Clubs putting pieces in place after 0-0 Barrington Classic result
By Bill McLean
BARRINGTON — Taft senior back, co-captain and math whiz Edwin Alanis didn’t have to use one iota of his mathematics acumen Thursday night.
Taft’s Eagles and Glenbrook North’s Spartans were stuck on nil for 80 minutes in delightfully mild conditions and settled for a draw in their third and final round of Red Division pool play at the Barrington Classic.
But Taft got to add an encouraging “1” to its overall record, which stands at 0-4-1.
Each club had entered action Thursday night with an 0-2-0 Classic mark. But Glenbrook North wound up in third place in the four-team Red Division because of goal differential.
Glenbrook North (1-3-2) faces Conant at Streamwood for fifth place Saturday at 2 p.m.; Taft takes on Jacobs at Streamwood for seventh place Saturday at noon.
“It was one of our better games, even though we didn’t find the net,” said Alanis, who’s interested in a working career in accounting and business.
Taft junior goalkeeper Sebastian Rodriguez (five saves) and his counterpart, Glenbrook North junior Max Bachenheimer (three saves), each exited Barrington Community Stadium with a shutout.
“We practice hard, and we have great coaches (head coach Paul Vignocchi and assistants Paul Gibbs and Rob Demano),” said Spartans senior back and game captain Alex Link, whose last season was cut short because of a broken fibula. “We’re going to click.
“We’ll put it together.”
Glenbrook North senior forward Michael Abrams and senior midfielder Wes Fagin applied heat on Taft’s defenders with their connections and rushes, particularly in the first half. Spartans junior midfielder Miles Wolder also posed a threat to create scoring chances each time the ball was at his feet.
A high, accurate service off Abrams’ foot found a soaring Fagin in the middle of Taft’s box in the 47th minute. But Fagin collided with an Eagle and was called for a foul.
Vignocchi’s Central Suburban League South Division crew almost scored following a sharp cross from junior reserve forward/midfielder Brian Pekala in the 58th minute. Spartans senior defender/midfielder Dylan Mankoff, another sub, was poised to poke a shot from close range past Rodriguez, but it appeared that too much adrenaline had something to do with the shot sailing over the crossbar.
Taft, which displayed considerably more urgency in the second half, didn’t generate as many chances as Glenbrook North did. Eagles junior forward Mohamed Abbad’s shot on goal in the 45th minute aped an MLB closer’s fastball. Taft junior forward Hansel Calix might have been the fastest player on the pitch. His array of dribbling skills stood out, too.
“Better,” Taft coach Jeff Lucco said of his team’s effort in the second half compared to the first 40 minutes. His team has not scored since a 2-1 season-opening loss to no. 6 Loyola. “We’re struggling to create any offensive chances this year. We’re not sure why. We thought that would be a strength of ours, because we have technically sound guys.
“I like playing suburban schools and their bigger players. Always have. I like a tough schedule. We’ve talked with our players, telling them we’re not concerned with our record. The regular season is about getting better and ready for the postseason.”
Taft and Glenbrook North are traditionally in the same Class 3A sectional.
But Taft’s Alanis isn’t looking that far ahead. He’s looking forward to the Eagles’ next contest.
“A soccer field is my happy place, my sanctuary,” said the defender, who played club soccer instead of prep soccer as a freshman in 2018 and hopes to join a club team after his final Taft season. “I like challenging myself in school, and all my stress goes away when I play soccer.”
Footnotes
Glenbrook North and Taft lost to eventual Red Division champion Lake Zurich in pool play at the Barrington Classic. The Bears upset no. 14 Barrington in the group and face Boylan for the Classic title at 6 p.m Saturday at Barrington. Runnerup Barrington (3-1-0 overall) entertains Streamwood in the third place match Saturday at 4 p.m. … Glenbrook North received some tough news after its 2-0 loss to Barrington in a second-round Barrington Classic game on Aug. 31: Spartans senior forward Trotter Benson suffered a torn ACL in his right knee. “I feel pretty good,” Benson, sporting a black knee brace, said at the half of Thursday night’s match. “I want to play college soccer.” … Seventh-year Taft coach Lucco, on his current edition before Thursday’s game vs. Glenbrook North: “We’re super young (only five seniors).” One senior is goalkeeper Sean Ocampo, who’s sharing time in goal with Rodriguez this fall. “We like both goalies,” Lucco said. Ocampo served as a captain for the coin flip before Thursday’s game. … Alanis and Taft junior midfielder Davyd Dubchak each wore a bright captain band Thursday night. … Lucco played soccer at North Park, which happens to be where Barrington Classic host coach Scott Steib played soccer. … Alanis, on his leadership qualities: “I like to motivate my teammates and be a good role model.” … Alanis, on Lucco: “He’s good at encouraging us and waking us up when we need to wake up in games. He also knows good tactics.” … Glenbrook North’s Link was sturdy, steady and played smart soccer in the back against Taft on Thursday night. ... Spartans junior keeper Bachenheimer quelled two situations by short-hopping a dangerous ball with his right foot. Each delivery ended up at the feet of a teammate in transition.
Starting lineups
Glenbrook North
GK Max Bachenheimer
D Alex Link
D Daniel Ashirov
D Tal Yedlin
D Jack Redland
M Steven Rhee
M Wes Fagin
M Ian Lee
M Miles Wolder
M Sam Lappin
F Michael Abrams
Taft
GK Sebastian Rodriguez
D Edwin Alanis
D Adrian Grden
D Victor Lewicki
M Davyd Dubchak
M Matej Sokola
M Daniel Komiat
M Gabriel Vidaurre
M Jair Duenas
F Alex Mieltka
F Mohamed Abbad
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Edwin Rodriguez, sr., D, Taft; Miles Wolder, jr., M, Glenbrook North
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
No scoring
Clubs putting pieces in place after 0-0 Barrington Classic result
By Bill McLean
BARRINGTON — Taft senior back, co-captain and math whiz Edwin Alanis didn’t have to use one iota of his mathematics acumen Thursday night.
Taft’s Eagles and Glenbrook North’s Spartans were stuck on nil for 80 minutes in delightfully mild conditions and settled for a draw in their third and final round of Red Division pool play at the Barrington Classic.
But Taft got to add an encouraging “1” to its overall record, which stands at 0-4-1.
Each club had entered action Thursday night with an 0-2-0 Classic mark. But Glenbrook North wound up in third place in the four-team Red Division because of goal differential.
Glenbrook North (1-3-2) faces Conant at Streamwood for fifth place Saturday at 2 p.m.; Taft takes on Jacobs at Streamwood for seventh place Saturday at noon.
“It was one of our better games, even though we didn’t find the net,” said Alanis, who’s interested in a working career in accounting and business.
Taft junior goalkeeper Sebastian Rodriguez (five saves) and his counterpart, Glenbrook North junior Max Bachenheimer (three saves), each exited Barrington Community Stadium with a shutout.
“We practice hard, and we have great coaches (head coach Paul Vignocchi and assistants Paul Gibbs and Rob Demano),” said Spartans senior back and game captain Alex Link, whose last season was cut short because of a broken fibula. “We’re going to click.
“We’ll put it together.”
Glenbrook North senior forward Michael Abrams and senior midfielder Wes Fagin applied heat on Taft’s defenders with their connections and rushes, particularly in the first half. Spartans junior midfielder Miles Wolder also posed a threat to create scoring chances each time the ball was at his feet.
A high, accurate service off Abrams’ foot found a soaring Fagin in the middle of Taft’s box in the 47th minute. But Fagin collided with an Eagle and was called for a foul.
Vignocchi’s Central Suburban League South Division crew almost scored following a sharp cross from junior reserve forward/midfielder Brian Pekala in the 58th minute. Spartans senior defender/midfielder Dylan Mankoff, another sub, was poised to poke a shot from close range past Rodriguez, but it appeared that too much adrenaline had something to do with the shot sailing over the crossbar.
Taft, which displayed considerably more urgency in the second half, didn’t generate as many chances as Glenbrook North did. Eagles junior forward Mohamed Abbad’s shot on goal in the 45th minute aped an MLB closer’s fastball. Taft junior forward Hansel Calix might have been the fastest player on the pitch. His array of dribbling skills stood out, too.
“Better,” Taft coach Jeff Lucco said of his team’s effort in the second half compared to the first 40 minutes. His team has not scored since a 2-1 season-opening loss to no. 6 Loyola. “We’re struggling to create any offensive chances this year. We’re not sure why. We thought that would be a strength of ours, because we have technically sound guys.
“I like playing suburban schools and their bigger players. Always have. I like a tough schedule. We’ve talked with our players, telling them we’re not concerned with our record. The regular season is about getting better and ready for the postseason.”
Taft and Glenbrook North are traditionally in the same Class 3A sectional.
But Taft’s Alanis isn’t looking that far ahead. He’s looking forward to the Eagles’ next contest.
“A soccer field is my happy place, my sanctuary,” said the defender, who played club soccer instead of prep soccer as a freshman in 2018 and hopes to join a club team after his final Taft season. “I like challenging myself in school, and all my stress goes away when I play soccer.”
Footnotes
Glenbrook North and Taft lost to eventual Red Division champion Lake Zurich in pool play at the Barrington Classic. The Bears upset no. 14 Barrington in the group and face Boylan for the Classic title at 6 p.m Saturday at Barrington. Runnerup Barrington (3-1-0 overall) entertains Streamwood in the third place match Saturday at 4 p.m. … Glenbrook North received some tough news after its 2-0 loss to Barrington in a second-round Barrington Classic game on Aug. 31: Spartans senior forward Trotter Benson suffered a torn ACL in his right knee. “I feel pretty good,” Benson, sporting a black knee brace, said at the half of Thursday night’s match. “I want to play college soccer.” … Seventh-year Taft coach Lucco, on his current edition before Thursday’s game vs. Glenbrook North: “We’re super young (only five seniors).” One senior is goalkeeper Sean Ocampo, who’s sharing time in goal with Rodriguez this fall. “We like both goalies,” Lucco said. Ocampo served as a captain for the coin flip before Thursday’s game. … Alanis and Taft junior midfielder Davyd Dubchak each wore a bright captain band Thursday night. … Lucco played soccer at North Park, which happens to be where Barrington Classic host coach Scott Steib played soccer. … Alanis, on his leadership qualities: “I like to motivate my teammates and be a good role model.” … Alanis, on Lucco: “He’s good at encouraging us and waking us up when we need to wake up in games. He also knows good tactics.” … Glenbrook North’s Link was sturdy, steady and played smart soccer in the back against Taft on Thursday night. ... Spartans junior keeper Bachenheimer quelled two situations by short-hopping a dangerous ball with his right foot. Each delivery ended up at the feet of a teammate in transition.
Starting lineups
Glenbrook North
GK Max Bachenheimer
D Alex Link
D Daniel Ashirov
D Tal Yedlin
D Jack Redland
M Steven Rhee
M Wes Fagin
M Ian Lee
M Miles Wolder
M Sam Lappin
F Michael Abrams
Taft
GK Sebastian Rodriguez
D Edwin Alanis
D Adrian Grden
D Victor Lewicki
M Davyd Dubchak
M Matej Sokola
M Daniel Komiat
M Gabriel Vidaurre
M Jair Duenas
F Alex Mieltka
F Mohamed Abbad
Chicagoland Soccer Men of the Match: Edwin Rodriguez, sr., D, Taft; Miles Wolder, jr., M, Glenbrook North
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
No scoring