Notebook: North Shore Country Day
By Bobby Narang
WINNETKA — North Shore Country Day seeks an elusive undefeated regular-season en route to greater heights in the state tournament.
So far so good.
Nineteen games.
Eighteen wins.
One tie.
The Raiders have a tough obstacle between them and their regular-season goal. Friday they face off against Lake Forest Academy. The Caxys (12-4-2) have several signature victories this season including Dundee-Crown, Lake Forest, Latin and downstate Morton. They managed a hard-fought 2-2 tie against Evanston (11-3-2) on Sept. 1.
North Shore Country Day earned a 2-2 tie at Lake Forest Academy on Sept. 14. The Raiders host the game Friday.
Keeper’s a keeper
Junior goalie Aram Dombaglian’s strong play in the net has helped fortify the defense for the Raiders.
“Aram has been terrific,” North Shore Country Day coach Kyle Jones. “He’s the best goal keeper in the conference. For him, he had to be patient. He was behind Nick Potter. No one had really seen him.”
Potter was a Chicagoland Soccer small-school all-stater last season. He collected 11 shutouts and conceded just 10 goals for a .52 goals-against average his senior season.
Dombaglian has jumped in and the Raiders haven't skipped a beat.
“I told guys last year I have a guy waiting in the wings who is the next best,” said Jones. “Aram is great with his feet. I can play him in the field. He’s that great with his feet.
“He makes great saves and is calm and comes off the line. He’s a terrific all-around keeper.”
Missing Luglio
North Shore Country Day senior forward Walter Luglio was a powerful force through the early part of the season. The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder showed off his strength, and ability to take over a game, with his physical play and athleticism in an early season win over Notre Dame.
Unfortunately, Luglio suffered a season-ending knee injury in early September. Before he was idled, he set the tone for the Raiders offense with nine goals in the six matches he played.
“Guys had to step up,” Jones. “Walter was the focus of teams. They were honing in on him, because we were relying on him for goals.
“It (the injury) was devastating, because he’s such a great player and lad. We felt for him, but we had a (team) conversation that we all had to step for Walt and ourselves.
“Our four guys have stepped up. Leif Steele chipped in with some goals. Danny Becker is stepping up. Evan Fortier has been consistent with his goals.
“We’re getting goals from our midfield, as you saw (Monday) with Benji Leonetti. We’ve collectively all had to step up and provide goals and chances that normally Walter would provide.”
A tall order
North Shore Country Day senior defender Buckley Oelerich is hard to miss in the backline.
At 6-foot-4, Oelerich teams up with seniors Tae Won Lillig and Teddy Gallun to form a battle-tested and formidable defense.
But Oelerich is not a year-round soccer player. He also plays basketball and baseball for the Raiders. He joked he gets asked all the time about his height, and if he plays basketball.
“It always was soccer for me, but I played basketball when I was younger,” Oelerich said. “I’ll play (basketball) in winter, baseball. Baseball is my main sport.
“I like soccer, being able to play with my friends. I played club when I was younger, but I had to give it up because I had too much going on. This is a good time to have fun, playing with my friends. Plus, we’re pretty good.”
North Shore Country Day’s stingy backline is a central factor behind one the best seasons in program history. The Raiders have outscored their opponents by an eye-popping 65-12.
“Our back three seniors have been tough,” Jones said. “They make it so hard to score, which gives us a chance to win every game. Those guys have been great. I’m really pleased.”
Oelerich said he’s enjoying the historic season. He picked an odd position to play in soccer with his height, but he did the same thing in baseball, too..
“I play catcher,” he said. “It’s tough on my knees. It’s fun. I like putting my body on the line. I’ll do whatever I can to help this team win.”
Healthy and contributing
Smith Flickinger is only not notable for his unique name. He’s also become a regular starter for the Raiders.
Flickinger said the undefeated season holds special meaning for him. He missed almost all of last season due to a stress fracture in his back.
The junior defender, who has scored one goal this season, acknowledged he endured an adjustment period when he returned to the pitch this fall.
“It was real easy to join back with the guys lifting me up,” Flickinger said. “I played three or four games last year. I had a lot of help from our athletic trainer. I took it slow and came back firing and felt great. It’s been great.
“I started slow this season, because they didn’t really know who I was as a player. These guys lifted me up. I was able to get a starting position. I’m feeling comfortable, all because of these guys.”
By Bobby Narang
WINNETKA — North Shore Country Day seeks an elusive undefeated regular-season en route to greater heights in the state tournament.
So far so good.
Nineteen games.
Eighteen wins.
One tie.
The Raiders have a tough obstacle between them and their regular-season goal. Friday they face off against Lake Forest Academy. The Caxys (12-4-2) have several signature victories this season including Dundee-Crown, Lake Forest, Latin and downstate Morton. They managed a hard-fought 2-2 tie against Evanston (11-3-2) on Sept. 1.
North Shore Country Day earned a 2-2 tie at Lake Forest Academy on Sept. 14. The Raiders host the game Friday.
Keeper’s a keeper
Junior goalie Aram Dombaglian’s strong play in the net has helped fortify the defense for the Raiders.
“Aram has been terrific,” North Shore Country Day coach Kyle Jones. “He’s the best goal keeper in the conference. For him, he had to be patient. He was behind Nick Potter. No one had really seen him.”
Potter was a Chicagoland Soccer small-school all-stater last season. He collected 11 shutouts and conceded just 10 goals for a .52 goals-against average his senior season.
Dombaglian has jumped in and the Raiders haven't skipped a beat.
“I told guys last year I have a guy waiting in the wings who is the next best,” said Jones. “Aram is great with his feet. I can play him in the field. He’s that great with his feet.
“He makes great saves and is calm and comes off the line. He’s a terrific all-around keeper.”
Missing Luglio
North Shore Country Day senior forward Walter Luglio was a powerful force through the early part of the season. The 5-foot-11, 170-pounder showed off his strength, and ability to take over a game, with his physical play and athleticism in an early season win over Notre Dame.
Unfortunately, Luglio suffered a season-ending knee injury in early September. Before he was idled, he set the tone for the Raiders offense with nine goals in the six matches he played.
“Guys had to step up,” Jones. “Walter was the focus of teams. They were honing in on him, because we were relying on him for goals.
“It (the injury) was devastating, because he’s such a great player and lad. We felt for him, but we had a (team) conversation that we all had to step for Walt and ourselves.
“Our four guys have stepped up. Leif Steele chipped in with some goals. Danny Becker is stepping up. Evan Fortier has been consistent with his goals.
“We’re getting goals from our midfield, as you saw (Monday) with Benji Leonetti. We’ve collectively all had to step up and provide goals and chances that normally Walter would provide.”
A tall order
North Shore Country Day senior defender Buckley Oelerich is hard to miss in the backline.
At 6-foot-4, Oelerich teams up with seniors Tae Won Lillig and Teddy Gallun to form a battle-tested and formidable defense.
But Oelerich is not a year-round soccer player. He also plays basketball and baseball for the Raiders. He joked he gets asked all the time about his height, and if he plays basketball.
“It always was soccer for me, but I played basketball when I was younger,” Oelerich said. “I’ll play (basketball) in winter, baseball. Baseball is my main sport.
“I like soccer, being able to play with my friends. I played club when I was younger, but I had to give it up because I had too much going on. This is a good time to have fun, playing with my friends. Plus, we’re pretty good.”
North Shore Country Day’s stingy backline is a central factor behind one the best seasons in program history. The Raiders have outscored their opponents by an eye-popping 65-12.
“Our back three seniors have been tough,” Jones said. “They make it so hard to score, which gives us a chance to win every game. Those guys have been great. I’m really pleased.”
Oelerich said he’s enjoying the historic season. He picked an odd position to play in soccer with his height, but he did the same thing in baseball, too..
“I play catcher,” he said. “It’s tough on my knees. It’s fun. I like putting my body on the line. I’ll do whatever I can to help this team win.”
Healthy and contributing
Smith Flickinger is only not notable for his unique name. He’s also become a regular starter for the Raiders.
Flickinger said the undefeated season holds special meaning for him. He missed almost all of last season due to a stress fracture in his back.
The junior defender, who has scored one goal this season, acknowledged he endured an adjustment period when he returned to the pitch this fall.
“It was real easy to join back with the guys lifting me up,” Flickinger said. “I played three or four games last year. I had a lot of help from our athletic trainer. I took it slow and came back firing and felt great. It’s been great.
“I started slow this season, because they didn’t really know who I was as a player. These guys lifted me up. I was able to get a starting position. I’m feeling comfortable, all because of these guys.”