Metea Valley blanks WWS without bluster
Mustangs prevail 2-0 for fifth-straight win
By Curt Herron
AURORA -- When a team doesn't score during a half where they have a strong wind behind them and plenty of great chances, it might be easy to suggest that perhaps it was a missed opportunity.
That's what happened to Metea Valley during the first half of Tuesday's nonconference match against Wheaton Warrenville South. But instead of getting down as they attacked into strong southern winds, the host Mustangs put together two great combinations in just over seven minutes shortly after the break to keep them unbeaten with a 2-0 victory over the Tigers.
The match's lone scores came in the 50th and 57th minutes, and both were set up in similar fashion. Sophomore Lucy Burk darted down the sideline opposite the team benches and placed passes directly in front of the net.
Junior Tyra King connected on the initial goal and junior Jordan Lange added the insurance tally.
That was more than enough scoring for coach Chris Whaley's Mustangs to improve to 8-0-1 on the season and claim their fifth-straight victory. It was also the squad's fifth shutout and fourth clean-sheet in the last five matches.
The only time that Metea Valley hasn't won was March 22 when Plainfield North scored a late goal to force a 2-2 draw in a match in the Wheaton North Kickoff Classic, but the Mustangs still claimed the championship.
Sophomore goalie Alyssa Gluting recorded the shutout with starting backline support from seniors Addison Wargo and Justyce King and juniors Alyssa Parrilli and Kaylee Bannack. Sophomores Kyleigh Jannisch and Zoe Kirkman also contributed on defense.
Metea Valley, which moved up to sixth in the latest Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, plays two matches in St. Louis in the Parkway Showcase this weekend before hosting district rival Neuqua Valley on Tuesday.
"We weren't able to play our normal soccer where our wings get wide and up because of the wind," Burk said. "So that was forcing outside forwards like me to come down and play more at our feet, which we didn't figure out until halftime and the beginning of the second half.
“Then we finally got the hang of it, and we were able to use the wind to cut the ball back so that it could be at an angle. Then we could finish.
"Our team captains, Addison Wargo, Leanne Barrett and Jocelyn Grabow, I think they really tie the team together well. And not even just the captains, but everyone's always bringing each other up and always helping each other out.
“I also love that we're just so scrappy. We came out in the second half, and were just throwing ourselves at the ball and eventually got the ball in behind and that's how we scored."
Early in the final half, Wheaton Warrenville South (3-3-1) received good shot attempts from senior Meghan Economos and freshman Ashlyn Adams, but Gluting those efforts.
After Burk was denied on two chances by senior goalie Caroline Spayth, she made a nice pass that landed in front of the net, and King was there to put in a close-range attempt to put the hosts up for good.
Shortly after that, Burk was at it again, racing downfield before directing a pass in front of the net. Lange put in an attempt from about 15 yards to complete the scoring.
"Wheaton Warrenville South is a solid team with a lot of talented players that I know well," Whaley said. "The conditions weren't ideal tonight, but each team handled it well.
“I wasn't happy with the energy level of our team in the first half, but I made a few changes and was really happy with the way we played in the second half.
"I was also encouraged by our defense, which is led by Addison Wargo, a senior captain who fought through some discomfort tonight and helped preserve another shutout for us.
“Guy (Callipari) has a good team, and I'm sure they will be competitive the rest of the way. I'm really encouraged about where we are as a team right now."
While down, Wheaton Warrenville South certainly wasn't out. Adams sent in a long free kick that forced Gluting into a diving stop, and junior Lauren Barnett had a shot deflected by the Mustangs' keeper.
Right after that, Adams sent in three corner kicks in short order. The first two were deflected, and the last went wide of the net.
"We were really expecting at half that now it would be our turn with the wind," Barnett said. So, it was a challenge to adjust, and also to see them to get the advantage in both halves.
"But I thought that we played really good in the first half to keep them to 0-0 with the wind and the rain, but they're a good team.
"We've had to make some adjustments with the young girls that we have, but they also have a lot of talent, like Ashlyn (Adams). She's playing really good out there and Lily (Petrie) is playing amazing at center.
“So it definitely takes getting used to, but as the games go on, we are getting collectively better as a team."
Not long after Tigers senior defender Mallory Cadagin deflected a try from senior Ella Johnson, Wheaton Warrenville South got late attempts from Economos and Adams, but Gluting halted each effort to secure the shutout.
"When I have the wind, I love playing long balls," Gluting said. “But since the wind in the second half really prevented me from playing the long balls, we had to work to connect with some of my center Ds and outsides.
"I really feel like in the second half that we picked up, and one of our best qualities is our grit. And I think the defense just worked their butts off. We kept the shutout, and it was a total team effort on the defense. I feel very confident when I have my defensive line, because I always know that I can count on them.
"I think that our team chemistry is awesome. The team captains have done a really good job of bringing all of the girls together.
“In the first half it was 0-0, but in the second half we really went out there, and we did it. We won. Since I'm new to the team this year, I'm really getting to bond with everybody, and I'm learning how this team plays. I think that we have a big future ahead of us this season."
Wheaton Warrenville South came off a pair of 2-1 wins in the BodyArmor Series after dropping a 1-0 decision to St. Charles North in their DuKane Conference opener and play at Hinsdale Central on April 7.
While veteran Tigers coach Guy Callipari was very pleased with his team's early efforts in holding off Metea Valley, he was disappointed that they were unable to connect during the final half while the hosts scored twice.
"I was certainly pleased with the first half outcome since we weathered the wind and the opposition," Callipari said. "We didn't give them too many good looks, so I thought we pressured really well. Our pressure was adequate and predictable for others to support, so I thought that we did a really good job.
"But then in the second half, we played a little bit soft. Sometimes, it's harder to play with the wind at your back.
“We started thinking that now we have to hit balls from 20 to 30 yards out, and that's fairly optimistic, regardless of the wind. And we were hoping for a little more dead-ball environments and corner kicks and getting people forward, since we were a little dangerous on the corner kicks and missed a couple of opportunities there.
"But then it gave them the opportunity to be able to play and connect through the thirds. The ball played evenly for them, and we played soft. You have to be able to make that tackle like we did in the first half.
“Then they broke us down a couple of times on the right side and got balls played in. We flattened out and didn't play the angle. They made two good shots, so kudos to them. They played a really good second half, and they're a great team."
While he has a good cast of veterans that he can count on, the 2012-inducted IHSSCA Hall of Fame coach also has a lot of younger athletes who are seeing significant playing time. Although many of them appear to have bright futures, it may take some time before there is more cohesion among the players.
"We don't understand the nuances or the behaviors of each other at this point in time just yet," Callipari said. "We're reacting instead of anticipating, and we're reacting instead of creating. We're just waiting for things to happen.
“That's too slow at the speed of this game against a team of this quality. So, you have to be much more prepared.
“We left people isolated a little bit and consequently gave them too much space. They made us pay for that."
In the opening half, the Mustangs took advantage of the wind at their backs to put steady pressure on Spayth. Captains Jocelyn Grabow and Addison Wargo got things started before Lange sent in her first of many good shot attempts of the opening half.
After keeping the hosts at bay for a half, the Tigers hoped that the second 40 minutes would produce not only several good scoring chances, but also a goal or two. But despite their best efforts, they fell behind and were unable to connect, marking the fourth time this season that they were unable to score a goal in a match.
"This team that we played is amazing," Adams said. "They're talented and have some really good players. It was a privilege to play against them because they're very good.
“We'll learn from the loss and improve from that. We had some good shots at the end, but just weren't able to capitalize on them.
"All of these teams that we've been playing are really good. We never stop, and we kept playing through. Even though we were down 2-0, we were still trying to get a goal. We're getting there, but we still have to connect into the final third. Our defense was looking pretty strong until the second half. It's looking pretty good, but we definitely still have to work on a lot of things around the field."
Starting lineups
Wheaton Warrenville South
G Caroline Spayth
D Mallory Cadagin
D Olivia Vassios
D Lily Petrie
D Ella McClatchy
M Mia Taullahu
M Kate Grunland
M Carrie Harvey
F Ashlyn Adams
F Meghan Economos
F Lauren Barnett
Metea Valley
G Alyssa Gluting
D Addison Wargo
D Justyce King
D Alyssa Parrilli
D Kaylee Bannack
M Olivia Hernandez
M Riley Strcic
M Jordan Lange
F Jocelyn Grabow
F Tyra KIng
F Lucy Burk
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match
Lucy Burk, so., F, Metea Valley
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
MV: Tyra King (Lucy Burk), 50th minute
MV: Jordan Lange (Burk), 57th minute
Mustangs prevail 2-0 for fifth-straight win
By Curt Herron
AURORA -- When a team doesn't score during a half where they have a strong wind behind them and plenty of great chances, it might be easy to suggest that perhaps it was a missed opportunity.
That's what happened to Metea Valley during the first half of Tuesday's nonconference match against Wheaton Warrenville South. But instead of getting down as they attacked into strong southern winds, the host Mustangs put together two great combinations in just over seven minutes shortly after the break to keep them unbeaten with a 2-0 victory over the Tigers.
The match's lone scores came in the 50th and 57th minutes, and both were set up in similar fashion. Sophomore Lucy Burk darted down the sideline opposite the team benches and placed passes directly in front of the net.
Junior Tyra King connected on the initial goal and junior Jordan Lange added the insurance tally.
That was more than enough scoring for coach Chris Whaley's Mustangs to improve to 8-0-1 on the season and claim their fifth-straight victory. It was also the squad's fifth shutout and fourth clean-sheet in the last five matches.
The only time that Metea Valley hasn't won was March 22 when Plainfield North scored a late goal to force a 2-2 draw in a match in the Wheaton North Kickoff Classic, but the Mustangs still claimed the championship.
Sophomore goalie Alyssa Gluting recorded the shutout with starting backline support from seniors Addison Wargo and Justyce King and juniors Alyssa Parrilli and Kaylee Bannack. Sophomores Kyleigh Jannisch and Zoe Kirkman also contributed on defense.
Metea Valley, which moved up to sixth in the latest Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, plays two matches in St. Louis in the Parkway Showcase this weekend before hosting district rival Neuqua Valley on Tuesday.
"We weren't able to play our normal soccer where our wings get wide and up because of the wind," Burk said. "So that was forcing outside forwards like me to come down and play more at our feet, which we didn't figure out until halftime and the beginning of the second half.
“Then we finally got the hang of it, and we were able to use the wind to cut the ball back so that it could be at an angle. Then we could finish.
"Our team captains, Addison Wargo, Leanne Barrett and Jocelyn Grabow, I think they really tie the team together well. And not even just the captains, but everyone's always bringing each other up and always helping each other out.
“I also love that we're just so scrappy. We came out in the second half, and were just throwing ourselves at the ball and eventually got the ball in behind and that's how we scored."
Early in the final half, Wheaton Warrenville South (3-3-1) received good shot attempts from senior Meghan Economos and freshman Ashlyn Adams, but Gluting those efforts.
After Burk was denied on two chances by senior goalie Caroline Spayth, she made a nice pass that landed in front of the net, and King was there to put in a close-range attempt to put the hosts up for good.
Shortly after that, Burk was at it again, racing downfield before directing a pass in front of the net. Lange put in an attempt from about 15 yards to complete the scoring.
"Wheaton Warrenville South is a solid team with a lot of talented players that I know well," Whaley said. "The conditions weren't ideal tonight, but each team handled it well.
“I wasn't happy with the energy level of our team in the first half, but I made a few changes and was really happy with the way we played in the second half.
"I was also encouraged by our defense, which is led by Addison Wargo, a senior captain who fought through some discomfort tonight and helped preserve another shutout for us.
“Guy (Callipari) has a good team, and I'm sure they will be competitive the rest of the way. I'm really encouraged about where we are as a team right now."
While down, Wheaton Warrenville South certainly wasn't out. Adams sent in a long free kick that forced Gluting into a diving stop, and junior Lauren Barnett had a shot deflected by the Mustangs' keeper.
Right after that, Adams sent in three corner kicks in short order. The first two were deflected, and the last went wide of the net.
"We were really expecting at half that now it would be our turn with the wind," Barnett said. So, it was a challenge to adjust, and also to see them to get the advantage in both halves.
"But I thought that we played really good in the first half to keep them to 0-0 with the wind and the rain, but they're a good team.
"We've had to make some adjustments with the young girls that we have, but they also have a lot of talent, like Ashlyn (Adams). She's playing really good out there and Lily (Petrie) is playing amazing at center.
“So it definitely takes getting used to, but as the games go on, we are getting collectively better as a team."
Not long after Tigers senior defender Mallory Cadagin deflected a try from senior Ella Johnson, Wheaton Warrenville South got late attempts from Economos and Adams, but Gluting halted each effort to secure the shutout.
"When I have the wind, I love playing long balls," Gluting said. “But since the wind in the second half really prevented me from playing the long balls, we had to work to connect with some of my center Ds and outsides.
"I really feel like in the second half that we picked up, and one of our best qualities is our grit. And I think the defense just worked their butts off. We kept the shutout, and it was a total team effort on the defense. I feel very confident when I have my defensive line, because I always know that I can count on them.
"I think that our team chemistry is awesome. The team captains have done a really good job of bringing all of the girls together.
“In the first half it was 0-0, but in the second half we really went out there, and we did it. We won. Since I'm new to the team this year, I'm really getting to bond with everybody, and I'm learning how this team plays. I think that we have a big future ahead of us this season."
Wheaton Warrenville South came off a pair of 2-1 wins in the BodyArmor Series after dropping a 1-0 decision to St. Charles North in their DuKane Conference opener and play at Hinsdale Central on April 7.
While veteran Tigers coach Guy Callipari was very pleased with his team's early efforts in holding off Metea Valley, he was disappointed that they were unable to connect during the final half while the hosts scored twice.
"I was certainly pleased with the first half outcome since we weathered the wind and the opposition," Callipari said. "We didn't give them too many good looks, so I thought we pressured really well. Our pressure was adequate and predictable for others to support, so I thought that we did a really good job.
"But then in the second half, we played a little bit soft. Sometimes, it's harder to play with the wind at your back.
“We started thinking that now we have to hit balls from 20 to 30 yards out, and that's fairly optimistic, regardless of the wind. And we were hoping for a little more dead-ball environments and corner kicks and getting people forward, since we were a little dangerous on the corner kicks and missed a couple of opportunities there.
"But then it gave them the opportunity to be able to play and connect through the thirds. The ball played evenly for them, and we played soft. You have to be able to make that tackle like we did in the first half.
“Then they broke us down a couple of times on the right side and got balls played in. We flattened out and didn't play the angle. They made two good shots, so kudos to them. They played a really good second half, and they're a great team."
While he has a good cast of veterans that he can count on, the 2012-inducted IHSSCA Hall of Fame coach also has a lot of younger athletes who are seeing significant playing time. Although many of them appear to have bright futures, it may take some time before there is more cohesion among the players.
"We don't understand the nuances or the behaviors of each other at this point in time just yet," Callipari said. "We're reacting instead of anticipating, and we're reacting instead of creating. We're just waiting for things to happen.
“That's too slow at the speed of this game against a team of this quality. So, you have to be much more prepared.
“We left people isolated a little bit and consequently gave them too much space. They made us pay for that."
In the opening half, the Mustangs took advantage of the wind at their backs to put steady pressure on Spayth. Captains Jocelyn Grabow and Addison Wargo got things started before Lange sent in her first of many good shot attempts of the opening half.
After keeping the hosts at bay for a half, the Tigers hoped that the second 40 minutes would produce not only several good scoring chances, but also a goal or two. But despite their best efforts, they fell behind and were unable to connect, marking the fourth time this season that they were unable to score a goal in a match.
"This team that we played is amazing," Adams said. "They're talented and have some really good players. It was a privilege to play against them because they're very good.
“We'll learn from the loss and improve from that. We had some good shots at the end, but just weren't able to capitalize on them.
"All of these teams that we've been playing are really good. We never stop, and we kept playing through. Even though we were down 2-0, we were still trying to get a goal. We're getting there, but we still have to connect into the final third. Our defense was looking pretty strong until the second half. It's looking pretty good, but we definitely still have to work on a lot of things around the field."
Starting lineups
Wheaton Warrenville South
G Caroline Spayth
D Mallory Cadagin
D Olivia Vassios
D Lily Petrie
D Ella McClatchy
M Mia Taullahu
M Kate Grunland
M Carrie Harvey
F Ashlyn Adams
F Meghan Economos
F Lauren Barnett
Metea Valley
G Alyssa Gluting
D Addison Wargo
D Justyce King
D Alyssa Parrilli
D Kaylee Bannack
M Olivia Hernandez
M Riley Strcic
M Jordan Lange
F Jocelyn Grabow
F Tyra KIng
F Lucy Burk
Chicagoland Soccer MVP of the Match
Lucy Burk, so., F, Metea Valley
Scoring summary
First half
No scoring
Second half
MV: Tyra King (Lucy Burk), 50th minute
MV: Jordan Lange (Burk), 57th minute