Downers North, Wheaton North post
strong efforts in Plainfield Classic draw
Falcons, Trojans respond to tough losses with added energy
By Curt Herron
PLAINFIELD -- After both Downers Grove North and Wheaton North suffered disappointing losses in Saturday's opening round of the Plainfield Classic, it was a good bet that the two sides would be inspired to turn in much better performances. The teams did not disappoint Monday at Plainfield South.
Both definitely played like there was something at stake and created plenty of good scoring chances. The threats continued up until the end of 1-1 match.
Wheaton North (3-3-2) got a goal from Josh Simon in the fifth minute to give it the early advantage, but Downers Grove North (2-5-1) countered when Jack Ryan converted on a penalty in the 41st minute and concluded the scoring.
Wheaton North bounced back from a 1-0 loss to Lincoln-Way East on Saturday. After Lincoln-Way East tied Oswego 1-1 on Monday, the Griffins lead the Orange group of the 14-team competition with five points while Wheaton North and Oswego both have one point.
Downers Grove North is third in the Grey group with one point. Sandburg narrowly tops the pool with a 5-4 edge in points over Oswego East.
"We're still putting things together," Wheaton North coach Rob Stassen said. "Lincoln-Way East was a rough one when we lost our two center backs, because they both decided to take the ACTs on the same day. We ran a light team. Lincoln-Way East had one shot on us the whole game, and it ended up going in. Today we went back to the basics and said this is what we have to do and that first half was beautiful.
"I challenged them and said that we could play the dirty game of just playing the long ball, which is not how the game is supposed to be played. So, we stuck to our roots and in the first half we were pinging balls over the place with one-two touch.
“It was gorgeous with everything coming through Carter Evans in that back left. Everything was coming through the middle, and Tim Dulzer and Carson Bilut in the middle played phenomenal. We struggled when we got to the top third. It was a little bit slow breaking through the backline, and they played a nice line. We came up against a team with some energy, and they tackled hard and played hard.
"Giving away a penalty in the first 25 seconds of the second half hurt, but we clawed back and took three shots in the last minute and a half, so credit to the boys, they didn't give up. Frustrations are frustrations, but they calmed them and we moved on. So, we'll keep plugging along and have some fun."
While Downers Grove North was unhappy about its opener in the Plainfield Classic against Oswego East, which was a 6-1 defeat, they were certainly upbeat after a 2-1 two overtime defeat against Lyons in the teams' West Suburban Conference Silver Division opener last Tuesday.
"I think the biggest issue for us coming off of that Lyons game is just finding that level of consistency," Trojans coach Mike Schmitt said. "We know that we can play with a team of that caliber, it's just a matter of doing that day-in and day-out.
“We followed that up with a really poor game against Oswego East on Saturday. We have a tendency to start slow, like we did today. But other than that goal, which we kind of shot ourselves in the foot a little bit, we fought back and battled and really didn't allow too many things.
"Credit to them, they're a really good team. They move the ball really well; their first touches are really good, and they play in space very well. So, they're a tough team to play against, but I thought we handled them pretty well today.
“It's always a battle with them. We play them every year, and we know what we'll be walking into against them. It's good to see teams like this, so we know the level that we need to get to and to prepare for the postseason."
After seeing his team have a rough day defensively against Oswego East in the Classic opener, the Trojans coach was pleased with how his team responded to that loss.
"Coming off a Saturday game and playing on Monday, you don't have a training session in between so you don't always know what you're going to get," Schmitt said. "This was our second Monday game after a Saturday game, and we played well in the Monday games both times, so that's good to see.
"(This team) plays with a lot of heart. We have a pretty good amount of chemistry and a lot of these players were on the team last year, and they played together. We were pretty young last year so they got a bit of experience coming off of that.
“There's a good amount of chemistry and heart. It's just a matter of finding consistency."
Wheaton North capitalized on the match's first good opportunity in the fifth minute when senior Thang Pau directed a pass to Simon, who scored from about 10 yards. The goal held up for a 1-0 halftime lead.
Downers Grove North tried to counter with good attempts from Ryan and juniors Ben Llewellyn and James Harkness that were all halted by junior goalkeeper Joe Wakeman.
Wheaton North tried to add to its advantage past the midpoint of the opening half when junior Carson Bilut sent in a liner that was deflected by a defender. Then junior Carter Evans fired in a threatening corner kick that was punched away by Trojans junior goalkeeper Will Barnett.
As the opening half wound down, Evans sent in a shot that deflected off of senior Owen Cross and went to Barnett. The Falcons had another good chance shortly before the halftime whistle when senior Max Riccelli set up a corner kick on a drive to the net, and Evans put the ball into the box where it was headed away.
"Our team plays with a lot of heart," Evans said. "We're working a lot on the technical stuff in practice. Our backline has been doing a good job and giving a lot of effort on both sides of the ball. That's been great. I like the hard work and the effort that we put in.
"We have a quality in the back and a lot of quality in the middle and up-top. Our striker Josh Simon, has been doing a great job getting goals."
Not long after the final half got underway, Downers Grove North was the beneficiary of a penalty for a foul thatt was called in the box. Ryan connected on the subsequent try in the 41st minute to even things again.
"It was obviously really tough going down early, especially against a team like that," Ryan said. "We had to stop more from coming, and we had to get a score ourselves. We had to put goals on the board, and I feel like that's my responsibility for this team. I have to put the ball in the back of the net.
"It's just a lot about consistency. We've proven that we can play against anybody, now it's just winning the games that we know that we can win. I like the heart that we show and just how everyone is willing to give everything."
Downers Grove North kept the pressure on. Junior Holden Peckenpaugh sent in a free kick that was headed toward the net where Wakeman pulled it in. A short time later, Ryan followed with a threatening free kick, before Evans was denied on an attempt to give Wheaton North the lead.
Evans continued to apply pressure with a corner kick into the box but it was headed away by senior Bradley Szydlowski. Then Simon was thwarted on a try for his second tally.
Downers Grove North senior Tomislav Petkovski sent in a long attempt to Wakeman before the Trojans picked up the pace In the final part of the game. Peckenpaugh put in a corner that was punched away, and Llewellyn sent in a pair of long shots that were hauled in.
Wheaton North had some good changes in the very late going. Evans capped the series with a shot Barnett turned away.
It was the sixth time in eight matches that the Falcons held their opponents to one goal or less, and that defense will pose a problem to their DuKane Conference opponents.
"I think that we played hard," junior William Bonga said. "I love our ball-first mindset, just running to the ball at all costs, whether it's hitting with our thighs or feet. It's tough to tie one like this since it feels like we could have put another in, but I like the resilience and our team not giving up and that our offensive guys put in a lot of good work.
"I love the brotherhood that I have on my backline. If I have a guy rushing me, I have my outsides, obviously Carter, who does a great job. I can get it to him, and he can help me out. And I have Kyle (Komro) and Lucas (Klingler) on the other side and we just have a really tight bond. We've got like 99 chem, so we're really tight. It's great to have them and we build each other up.
"We don't break each other down as much as we build each other up, and I think that's huge. If someone messes up, we build them right back up and give them the confidence that if their head is down to pick their chin up to make a great play."
Downers Grove North has already shown that it can compete with the area's best.
The result was the fourth time the Trojans allowed one goal in regulation play, something they did twice in the season's opening week.
"Our effort picked up in the second half," senior Jackson Irby said. "After that first goal, we kind of put our heads down a little bit; but then we played the rest of the half really well and created some chances. And in the second half we came out goal hungry and got it right away. Things picked up, and I don't think it slowed down from there.
"I feel like we were able to match in the middle, physically, mentally and with skill. I thought that we had a lot of chances, and luckily we capitalized on one of them. We started out the year in decent form and matched up against Lyons and went to second overtime.
"We just didn't come to play on Saturday so we tried to come out with some energy today. And to get this draw against a really good side, I think it's a pretty positive turn for the team. I like how we can bounce back. A couple of times this season we let up goals early but just had the mentality to get back into the game and scrap for more."
The teams continue tourney play on Wednesday. Downers Grove North plays Sandburg at 6 p.m. at Plainfield North in a Grey Group match; while the Falcons meet Oswego in an Orange Group match at 7 p.m. at Plainfield South.
Starting lineups
Downers Grove North
GK: Will Barnett
D: Jackson Irby
D: Owen Cross
D: Bradley Szydlowski
D: Tomislav Petkovski
MF: Holden Peckenpaugh
MF: Quinn O'Reilly
MF: Aldo Velazquez
MF: James Harkness
F: Jack Ryan
F: Ben Llewellyn
Wheaton North
GK: Joe Wakeman
D: Carter Evans
D: William Bonga
D: Lucas Klingler
D: Kyle Komro
MF: Carson Bilut
MF: Julian Ospina
MF: Tim Dulzer
MF: Max Riccelli
F; Thang Pau
F: Josh Simon
Chicagoland Men of the Match:
Carter Evans, jr., D, Wheaton North
Jackson Irby, sr., D, Downers Grove North
Scoring summary
First half
Wheaton North: Josh Simon (Papu Thang), 5'
Second half
Downers Grove North: Jack Ryan (PK), 41'
strong efforts in Plainfield Classic draw
Falcons, Trojans respond to tough losses with added energy
By Curt Herron
PLAINFIELD -- After both Downers Grove North and Wheaton North suffered disappointing losses in Saturday's opening round of the Plainfield Classic, it was a good bet that the two sides would be inspired to turn in much better performances. The teams did not disappoint Monday at Plainfield South.
Both definitely played like there was something at stake and created plenty of good scoring chances. The threats continued up until the end of 1-1 match.
Wheaton North (3-3-2) got a goal from Josh Simon in the fifth minute to give it the early advantage, but Downers Grove North (2-5-1) countered when Jack Ryan converted on a penalty in the 41st minute and concluded the scoring.
Wheaton North bounced back from a 1-0 loss to Lincoln-Way East on Saturday. After Lincoln-Way East tied Oswego 1-1 on Monday, the Griffins lead the Orange group of the 14-team competition with five points while Wheaton North and Oswego both have one point.
Downers Grove North is third in the Grey group with one point. Sandburg narrowly tops the pool with a 5-4 edge in points over Oswego East.
"We're still putting things together," Wheaton North coach Rob Stassen said. "Lincoln-Way East was a rough one when we lost our two center backs, because they both decided to take the ACTs on the same day. We ran a light team. Lincoln-Way East had one shot on us the whole game, and it ended up going in. Today we went back to the basics and said this is what we have to do and that first half was beautiful.
"I challenged them and said that we could play the dirty game of just playing the long ball, which is not how the game is supposed to be played. So, we stuck to our roots and in the first half we were pinging balls over the place with one-two touch.
“It was gorgeous with everything coming through Carter Evans in that back left. Everything was coming through the middle, and Tim Dulzer and Carson Bilut in the middle played phenomenal. We struggled when we got to the top third. It was a little bit slow breaking through the backline, and they played a nice line. We came up against a team with some energy, and they tackled hard and played hard.
"Giving away a penalty in the first 25 seconds of the second half hurt, but we clawed back and took three shots in the last minute and a half, so credit to the boys, they didn't give up. Frustrations are frustrations, but they calmed them and we moved on. So, we'll keep plugging along and have some fun."
While Downers Grove North was unhappy about its opener in the Plainfield Classic against Oswego East, which was a 6-1 defeat, they were certainly upbeat after a 2-1 two overtime defeat against Lyons in the teams' West Suburban Conference Silver Division opener last Tuesday.
"I think the biggest issue for us coming off of that Lyons game is just finding that level of consistency," Trojans coach Mike Schmitt said. "We know that we can play with a team of that caliber, it's just a matter of doing that day-in and day-out.
“We followed that up with a really poor game against Oswego East on Saturday. We have a tendency to start slow, like we did today. But other than that goal, which we kind of shot ourselves in the foot a little bit, we fought back and battled and really didn't allow too many things.
"Credit to them, they're a really good team. They move the ball really well; their first touches are really good, and they play in space very well. So, they're a tough team to play against, but I thought we handled them pretty well today.
“It's always a battle with them. We play them every year, and we know what we'll be walking into against them. It's good to see teams like this, so we know the level that we need to get to and to prepare for the postseason."
After seeing his team have a rough day defensively against Oswego East in the Classic opener, the Trojans coach was pleased with how his team responded to that loss.
"Coming off a Saturday game and playing on Monday, you don't have a training session in between so you don't always know what you're going to get," Schmitt said. "This was our second Monday game after a Saturday game, and we played well in the Monday games both times, so that's good to see.
"(This team) plays with a lot of heart. We have a pretty good amount of chemistry and a lot of these players were on the team last year, and they played together. We were pretty young last year so they got a bit of experience coming off of that.
“There's a good amount of chemistry and heart. It's just a matter of finding consistency."
Wheaton North capitalized on the match's first good opportunity in the fifth minute when senior Thang Pau directed a pass to Simon, who scored from about 10 yards. The goal held up for a 1-0 halftime lead.
Downers Grove North tried to counter with good attempts from Ryan and juniors Ben Llewellyn and James Harkness that were all halted by junior goalkeeper Joe Wakeman.
Wheaton North tried to add to its advantage past the midpoint of the opening half when junior Carson Bilut sent in a liner that was deflected by a defender. Then junior Carter Evans fired in a threatening corner kick that was punched away by Trojans junior goalkeeper Will Barnett.
As the opening half wound down, Evans sent in a shot that deflected off of senior Owen Cross and went to Barnett. The Falcons had another good chance shortly before the halftime whistle when senior Max Riccelli set up a corner kick on a drive to the net, and Evans put the ball into the box where it was headed away.
"Our team plays with a lot of heart," Evans said. "We're working a lot on the technical stuff in practice. Our backline has been doing a good job and giving a lot of effort on both sides of the ball. That's been great. I like the hard work and the effort that we put in.
"We have a quality in the back and a lot of quality in the middle and up-top. Our striker Josh Simon, has been doing a great job getting goals."
Not long after the final half got underway, Downers Grove North was the beneficiary of a penalty for a foul thatt was called in the box. Ryan connected on the subsequent try in the 41st minute to even things again.
"It was obviously really tough going down early, especially against a team like that," Ryan said. "We had to stop more from coming, and we had to get a score ourselves. We had to put goals on the board, and I feel like that's my responsibility for this team. I have to put the ball in the back of the net.
"It's just a lot about consistency. We've proven that we can play against anybody, now it's just winning the games that we know that we can win. I like the heart that we show and just how everyone is willing to give everything."
Downers Grove North kept the pressure on. Junior Holden Peckenpaugh sent in a free kick that was headed toward the net where Wakeman pulled it in. A short time later, Ryan followed with a threatening free kick, before Evans was denied on an attempt to give Wheaton North the lead.
Evans continued to apply pressure with a corner kick into the box but it was headed away by senior Bradley Szydlowski. Then Simon was thwarted on a try for his second tally.
Downers Grove North senior Tomislav Petkovski sent in a long attempt to Wakeman before the Trojans picked up the pace In the final part of the game. Peckenpaugh put in a corner that was punched away, and Llewellyn sent in a pair of long shots that were hauled in.
Wheaton North had some good changes in the very late going. Evans capped the series with a shot Barnett turned away.
It was the sixth time in eight matches that the Falcons held their opponents to one goal or less, and that defense will pose a problem to their DuKane Conference opponents.
"I think that we played hard," junior William Bonga said. "I love our ball-first mindset, just running to the ball at all costs, whether it's hitting with our thighs or feet. It's tough to tie one like this since it feels like we could have put another in, but I like the resilience and our team not giving up and that our offensive guys put in a lot of good work.
"I love the brotherhood that I have on my backline. If I have a guy rushing me, I have my outsides, obviously Carter, who does a great job. I can get it to him, and he can help me out. And I have Kyle (Komro) and Lucas (Klingler) on the other side and we just have a really tight bond. We've got like 99 chem, so we're really tight. It's great to have them and we build each other up.
"We don't break each other down as much as we build each other up, and I think that's huge. If someone messes up, we build them right back up and give them the confidence that if their head is down to pick their chin up to make a great play."
Downers Grove North has already shown that it can compete with the area's best.
The result was the fourth time the Trojans allowed one goal in regulation play, something they did twice in the season's opening week.
"Our effort picked up in the second half," senior Jackson Irby said. "After that first goal, we kind of put our heads down a little bit; but then we played the rest of the half really well and created some chances. And in the second half we came out goal hungry and got it right away. Things picked up, and I don't think it slowed down from there.
"I feel like we were able to match in the middle, physically, mentally and with skill. I thought that we had a lot of chances, and luckily we capitalized on one of them. We started out the year in decent form and matched up against Lyons and went to second overtime.
"We just didn't come to play on Saturday so we tried to come out with some energy today. And to get this draw against a really good side, I think it's a pretty positive turn for the team. I like how we can bounce back. A couple of times this season we let up goals early but just had the mentality to get back into the game and scrap for more."
The teams continue tourney play on Wednesday. Downers Grove North plays Sandburg at 6 p.m. at Plainfield North in a Grey Group match; while the Falcons meet Oswego in an Orange Group match at 7 p.m. at Plainfield South.
Starting lineups
Downers Grove North
GK: Will Barnett
D: Jackson Irby
D: Owen Cross
D: Bradley Szydlowski
D: Tomislav Petkovski
MF: Holden Peckenpaugh
MF: Quinn O'Reilly
MF: Aldo Velazquez
MF: James Harkness
F: Jack Ryan
F: Ben Llewellyn
Wheaton North
GK: Joe Wakeman
D: Carter Evans
D: William Bonga
D: Lucas Klingler
D: Kyle Komro
MF: Carson Bilut
MF: Julian Ospina
MF: Tim Dulzer
MF: Max Riccelli
F; Thang Pau
F: Josh Simon
Chicagoland Men of the Match:
Carter Evans, jr., D, Wheaton North
Jackson Irby, sr., D, Downers Grove North
Scoring summary
First half
Wheaton North: Josh Simon (Papu Thang), 5'
Second half
Downers Grove North: Jack Ryan (PK), 41'