Wheaton N. takes Wheaton Cup
from Wheaton Warrenville South
Wanzenburg sets up DeLaTorre for Falcons 1-0 DuKane win
By Matt Le Cren
WHEATON – Wheaton North coach Rob Stassen is a happy guy these days, and it’s not just because his team is winning.
“They’re looking great,” Stassen said. “When you get that team that’s just fun to be around, the long days are fun with them.
“Even a two-hour bus ride is fun. They’re just clicking.”
The Falcons clicked again Thursday night, knocking off Wheaton Warrenville South 1-0 at Rexilius Field to remain unbeaten in DuKane Conference action.
The victory was noteworthy for several reasons. It was Wheaton North’s eighth of the season, surpassing their win total from 2017.
The Falcons (8-5-1, 3-0-0) also captured the Wheaton Cup traveling trophy for the first time in Stassen’s four-year tenure.
“It was a tough one,” Stassen said. “But a win is a win, so we’ll take it.”
Indeed, the Falcons had to earn it the hard way. They had the majority of the possession and their fair share of chances, but the Tigers (2-6-1, 0-2-1) were scrappy on defense and were especially tenacious within their own 18.
“Our defense played great this game,” Wheaton Warrenville South goalie Joe Adamek said. “It was a great team effort, and hopefully we can keep it going.”
The Tigers never really threatened to score and that was a problem after the Falcons used two reserves for the game-winner midway through the first half.
A pair of seniors -- forward Leo DeLaTorre and midfielder Will Wanzenberg -- teamed up on the play of the game. It was meaningful to both in different ways.
Wanzenberg drove up the wing and dribbled all the way to the end line before centering to DeLaTorre for a tap-in goal.
It was the fourth goal of the season for DeLaTorre but his first game-winning goal at the varsity level. For Wanzenberg, it was the first time he’d assisted on a winner.
Both players were facing the Tigers for the first time: DeLaTorre is in his first varsity season; and Wanzenberg missed last year’s meeting due to injury.
“It’s very special coming in (as a) first-time varsity (player) as a senior,” DeLaTorre said. “It feels great to be able to do something good for the team, something that means something.”
DeLaTorre played on the JV2 team as a sophomore. Frustrated with that experience, he took last year off, but Stassen is glad to have him back.
“Leo didn’t play last year,” Stassen said. “He came back out and is just a changed kid.
“He’s your perfect kid that’s going to come off the bench. Against Washington he comes on, scores in 30 seconds.
“Here he comes on, scores in five minutes. He’s that kid that’s going to introduce energy and for his size he’s got some wheels.”
Given the talent on Wheaton North’s roster, which includes several three-year varsity starters, DeLaTorre doesn’t figure to get a ton of minutes, but he makes the most of those he plays.
“He’s only going to take 15 or 20 minutes a game, if that, and what you’re going to get out of him in those 15 minutes is just 100 miles an hour,” Stassen said. “He’s always in the right spot.
“All of (his goals) have been that one-touch tap-in, striker’s goal.”
DeLaTorre couldn’t have done it without Wanzenberg, who’s had his own issues to deal with. Wanzenberg’s second varsity campaign has been plagued with a variety of leg injuries which have sidelined him for five games, including the two prior matches.
“I was trying my best to get healthy in time for this game,” Wanzenberg said. “I actually missed the Wheaton Cup last year due to injury, too, so this is my first time playing in it and really glad I could get the assist to win the game.”
The goal was a legitimate tour de force as the Falcons executed it exactly they way they planned it. They knew it was their best shot of solving the Tigers’ tough backline of Sam Schlegel, Kevin Stumbris, Jared Coria and Rolin Thang.
“'Will get it to the end line' is what we’ve been working on,” Stassen said. “And that was where we were going to get our success today is getting Will to the outside.”
Wheaton Warrenville South keeper Adamek was solid all night and terrific on one play, making a reflex save to bat away a point-blank shot from Lael Mondragon in the 75th minute. He had nothing but applause for North’s scoring play.
“It was a good goal,” Adamek said. “They made a great run down the sideline, got to the goal line and cut it back, and the guy just hit it right in.”
DeLaTorre and Wanzenberg work well together.
“Leo and I got some good chemistry going,” Wanzenberg said. “So I beat two guys down the line and just knew where he’d be.
“It’s what we always practice every day. I knew where he’d be, so I played it to his feet, and he tapped it in.”
DeLaTorre said having Wanzenberg available makes a big difference, regardless of how much playing time they get.
“When Will is healthy, and he’s on the field, it’s a completely different game,” De La Torre said. “He really is (a catalyst).”
Wanzenberg is just one of many such catalysts for the Falcons, who boast a level of depth and skill not see on the north side of Wheaton in many years.
“I’ve got basically three center mids going,” Stassen said. “They’re just phenomenal but everyone has a bad day, so it’s nice that we can sit one of them or we can rest one of them and throw Will in.
“That’s what is nice about these guys, and I’ve never had it. I run 18 guys, and now we’re all healthy.
“If all 18 play, you couldn’t tell the difference between 1 through 11, and 12 through 18.”
The players love it.
“This is a special team,” Wanzenberg said. “I can honestly say there is a lot of depth, there is very few gaps in skill from player to player.
“Everybody is on the same level. There is a different effort, a different mentality than what we had last year.
“We are hungry to win games. We are hungry to make our mark in this new conference.”
The Tigers, of course, are hungry too, but haven’t had that craving satisfied often this season. At least not yet.
“We just keep playing better and better and hopefully things will turn out,” Adamek said. “I like the way this team is going. I just hope it turns around soon.”
Adamek saw signs of that against the Falcons.
“They’re a really good team. So to be able to compete with them like this feels great,” he said. “Hopefully we can keep it going into the next game.”
Starting lineups
Wheaton Warrenville South
GK Joe Adamek
D Sam Schlegel
D Kevin Stumbris
D Jared Coria
D Rolin Thang
M Nick McGrath
M Griffin Wight
M Ryan Dufty
M Sumani Husseini
M Paul Thalmann
F Declin Ermer
Wheaton North
GK Ray Min
D Jack Tegart
D Nathan Heyen
D Sunday Moo
D Jack Mancuso
M Ajay Patel
M Ethan Shikany
M Erik Rozanski
F Alex Beausoliel
F Jack Morrissey
F Joseph Gaither
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match – Will Wanzenburg, sr., M, Wheaton North
Scoring summary
First half
Wheaton North – Leo De La Torre (Will Wanzenburg) 18th minute
Second half
None
from Wheaton Warrenville South
Wanzenburg sets up DeLaTorre for Falcons 1-0 DuKane win
By Matt Le Cren
WHEATON – Wheaton North coach Rob Stassen is a happy guy these days, and it’s not just because his team is winning.
“They’re looking great,” Stassen said. “When you get that team that’s just fun to be around, the long days are fun with them.
“Even a two-hour bus ride is fun. They’re just clicking.”
The Falcons clicked again Thursday night, knocking off Wheaton Warrenville South 1-0 at Rexilius Field to remain unbeaten in DuKane Conference action.
The victory was noteworthy for several reasons. It was Wheaton North’s eighth of the season, surpassing their win total from 2017.
The Falcons (8-5-1, 3-0-0) also captured the Wheaton Cup traveling trophy for the first time in Stassen’s four-year tenure.
“It was a tough one,” Stassen said. “But a win is a win, so we’ll take it.”
Indeed, the Falcons had to earn it the hard way. They had the majority of the possession and their fair share of chances, but the Tigers (2-6-1, 0-2-1) were scrappy on defense and were especially tenacious within their own 18.
“Our defense played great this game,” Wheaton Warrenville South goalie Joe Adamek said. “It was a great team effort, and hopefully we can keep it going.”
The Tigers never really threatened to score and that was a problem after the Falcons used two reserves for the game-winner midway through the first half.
A pair of seniors -- forward Leo DeLaTorre and midfielder Will Wanzenberg -- teamed up on the play of the game. It was meaningful to both in different ways.
Wanzenberg drove up the wing and dribbled all the way to the end line before centering to DeLaTorre for a tap-in goal.
It was the fourth goal of the season for DeLaTorre but his first game-winning goal at the varsity level. For Wanzenberg, it was the first time he’d assisted on a winner.
Both players were facing the Tigers for the first time: DeLaTorre is in his first varsity season; and Wanzenberg missed last year’s meeting due to injury.
“It’s very special coming in (as a) first-time varsity (player) as a senior,” DeLaTorre said. “It feels great to be able to do something good for the team, something that means something.”
DeLaTorre played on the JV2 team as a sophomore. Frustrated with that experience, he took last year off, but Stassen is glad to have him back.
“Leo didn’t play last year,” Stassen said. “He came back out and is just a changed kid.
“He’s your perfect kid that’s going to come off the bench. Against Washington he comes on, scores in 30 seconds.
“Here he comes on, scores in five minutes. He’s that kid that’s going to introduce energy and for his size he’s got some wheels.”
Given the talent on Wheaton North’s roster, which includes several three-year varsity starters, DeLaTorre doesn’t figure to get a ton of minutes, but he makes the most of those he plays.
“He’s only going to take 15 or 20 minutes a game, if that, and what you’re going to get out of him in those 15 minutes is just 100 miles an hour,” Stassen said. “He’s always in the right spot.
“All of (his goals) have been that one-touch tap-in, striker’s goal.”
DeLaTorre couldn’t have done it without Wanzenberg, who’s had his own issues to deal with. Wanzenberg’s second varsity campaign has been plagued with a variety of leg injuries which have sidelined him for five games, including the two prior matches.
“I was trying my best to get healthy in time for this game,” Wanzenberg said. “I actually missed the Wheaton Cup last year due to injury, too, so this is my first time playing in it and really glad I could get the assist to win the game.”
The goal was a legitimate tour de force as the Falcons executed it exactly they way they planned it. They knew it was their best shot of solving the Tigers’ tough backline of Sam Schlegel, Kevin Stumbris, Jared Coria and Rolin Thang.
“'Will get it to the end line' is what we’ve been working on,” Stassen said. “And that was where we were going to get our success today is getting Will to the outside.”
Wheaton Warrenville South keeper Adamek was solid all night and terrific on one play, making a reflex save to bat away a point-blank shot from Lael Mondragon in the 75th minute. He had nothing but applause for North’s scoring play.
“It was a good goal,” Adamek said. “They made a great run down the sideline, got to the goal line and cut it back, and the guy just hit it right in.”
DeLaTorre and Wanzenberg work well together.
“Leo and I got some good chemistry going,” Wanzenberg said. “So I beat two guys down the line and just knew where he’d be.
“It’s what we always practice every day. I knew where he’d be, so I played it to his feet, and he tapped it in.”
DeLaTorre said having Wanzenberg available makes a big difference, regardless of how much playing time they get.
“When Will is healthy, and he’s on the field, it’s a completely different game,” De La Torre said. “He really is (a catalyst).”
Wanzenberg is just one of many such catalysts for the Falcons, who boast a level of depth and skill not see on the north side of Wheaton in many years.
“I’ve got basically three center mids going,” Stassen said. “They’re just phenomenal but everyone has a bad day, so it’s nice that we can sit one of them or we can rest one of them and throw Will in.
“That’s what is nice about these guys, and I’ve never had it. I run 18 guys, and now we’re all healthy.
“If all 18 play, you couldn’t tell the difference between 1 through 11, and 12 through 18.”
The players love it.
“This is a special team,” Wanzenberg said. “I can honestly say there is a lot of depth, there is very few gaps in skill from player to player.
“Everybody is on the same level. There is a different effort, a different mentality than what we had last year.
“We are hungry to win games. We are hungry to make our mark in this new conference.”
The Tigers, of course, are hungry too, but haven’t had that craving satisfied often this season. At least not yet.
“We just keep playing better and better and hopefully things will turn out,” Adamek said. “I like the way this team is going. I just hope it turns around soon.”
Adamek saw signs of that against the Falcons.
“They’re a really good team. So to be able to compete with them like this feels great,” he said. “Hopefully we can keep it going into the next game.”
Starting lineups
Wheaton Warrenville South
GK Joe Adamek
D Sam Schlegel
D Kevin Stumbris
D Jared Coria
D Rolin Thang
M Nick McGrath
M Griffin Wight
M Ryan Dufty
M Sumani Husseini
M Paul Thalmann
F Declin Ermer
Wheaton North
GK Ray Min
D Jack Tegart
D Nathan Heyen
D Sunday Moo
D Jack Mancuso
M Ajay Patel
M Ethan Shikany
M Erik Rozanski
F Alex Beausoliel
F Jack Morrissey
F Joseph Gaither
Chicagoland Soccer Man of the Match – Will Wanzenburg, sr., M, Wheaton North
Scoring summary
First half
Wheaton North – Leo De La Torre (Will Wanzenburg) 18th minute
Second half
None