Notebook: Gibault
By Keith Schildroth
How does a program that’s accustomed to winning face the challenge of a losing season?
The situation can be especially daunting for veteran players in high profile positions on the field, especially if they are seniors.
Such has been the case with Gibault, a small-school power in the St. Louis region. The Hawks have won four championships and finished in the top four five other times, including the past three seasons, in the past decade and a half.
This season, Gibault has endured a 2-15-3 campaign headed into a postseason play-in match against Granite City on Saturday. According to data on IHSA.org, it could be their worst season since the 1970s.
The fact that the Hawks have survived and been in most games is a credit to some imaginative direction from coach Darryn Haudrich, who hasn’t had a set lineup the entire season. Injuries, inexperience, a lack of depth and grade issues have kept Haudrich and his regulars doing their best in difficult times.
Luckily, Gibault is a scrappy bunch, and its kids are not quitters.
Take goalie Connor Olson for example. The senior has kept Gibault in every game with his heady, consistent and terrific play. He is a dream keeper for any coach with his quickness, strong ability to come off his line and his leadership skills. Olson has faced 230 shots this season and has set a school record with 183 saves, which is tops among Illinois Class A, AA and 3A schools.
“Connor is a generational talent and first ballot Hall of Fame for Gibault,” said Haudrich. “I haven't seen a better goalie in the 10 years I have been coaching at Gibault, and I'm not sure we've had a better goalie come through the program. While his stats, beyond saves this season, don't tell the tale of his talents, there is no doubt he was the primary reason we remained competitive in each game this fall.”
Haudrich said Olson has few flaws, if any.
“He just continues to impress with his ability to move the ball well with his feet, stays composed under pressure, makes sound decisions consistently, is accurate with his punts, throws and goal kicks and is able to fly through the air as well as get low to make saves in a variety of ranges,” said Haudrich. “He is an all-around talent, and adds captain status to his list of abilities in being able to control and set the defense.”
Olson, a product of the powerful Scott Gallagher program in St. Louis, said earlier in the season he was considering Belmont or Dayton to continue his playing career.
Alex Bira, another senior who has played well, sacrificed himself this season and played center back instead of his normal spot at the wing. He’s made the transition look easy and has drawn the task of marking the opposition's top forward most of the year.
“Alex is another major reason we have been able to remain competitive this fall,” said Haudrich. “He does an excellent job to read plays of opposing team's attacks. That is evident with his timely blocks, pass interceptions, as well as defensive headers and quality distributions from the backline. He does an exceptional job to remain composed when pressure is at it's highest and that is likely a testament to his skill set as well as benefit of playing at a high club level and playing in meaningful games the past three years on the road to state.”
Bira has managed to add some offensive punch with three goals.
“He’s dangerous on set pieces through the air,” said Haudrich. “Alex keeps things simple and doesn't over complicate his movement or choices. He is smart, tackles strong and leads well with his high level of play. Alex is definitely underrated and likely our best field player.”
Haudrich said if the Hawks had a little more depth, Bira would excel even more.
“Unfortunately for him he's had to play the bulk of time as a center back; I can't afford to have him not keep our defense settled,” said Haudrich. “Last year he played an outside back position and formed one of the best back lines in the state at the AA level. On other area teams he may be their best distributor or even lead goal-scorer, he really is that talented and versatile.”
Gavin Kohnz, another senior, might be the perfect example of the Gibault style of play. He’s a gritty midfielder/forward that does all the dirty work to get the Hawks offense on the attack.
“We transitioned him to the attack because of his aggression and preference to attack,” said Haudrich. “Gavin plays an intense and competitive style of soccer with a no-quit and hard-nosed approach. He is constantly working to command the ball and expects a lot from his team to maintain a high level of play as well.”
Dominican, Blackburn and Wisconsin-Platteville have all expressed interest in the tough forward. He has three goals and four assists.
The Hawks will try to turn around their fortunes and find some postseason magic in their quarterfinal match of the Edwardsville Regional. They meet Granite City at 11 a.m. Saturday at Oerter Field in Columbia. Gibault earned a 3-2 triple overtime win at the Warriors home field on Sept. 26.
By Keith Schildroth
How does a program that’s accustomed to winning face the challenge of a losing season?
The situation can be especially daunting for veteran players in high profile positions on the field, especially if they are seniors.
Such has been the case with Gibault, a small-school power in the St. Louis region. The Hawks have won four championships and finished in the top four five other times, including the past three seasons, in the past decade and a half.
This season, Gibault has endured a 2-15-3 campaign headed into a postseason play-in match against Granite City on Saturday. According to data on IHSA.org, it could be their worst season since the 1970s.
The fact that the Hawks have survived and been in most games is a credit to some imaginative direction from coach Darryn Haudrich, who hasn’t had a set lineup the entire season. Injuries, inexperience, a lack of depth and grade issues have kept Haudrich and his regulars doing their best in difficult times.
Luckily, Gibault is a scrappy bunch, and its kids are not quitters.
Take goalie Connor Olson for example. The senior has kept Gibault in every game with his heady, consistent and terrific play. He is a dream keeper for any coach with his quickness, strong ability to come off his line and his leadership skills. Olson has faced 230 shots this season and has set a school record with 183 saves, which is tops among Illinois Class A, AA and 3A schools.
“Connor is a generational talent and first ballot Hall of Fame for Gibault,” said Haudrich. “I haven't seen a better goalie in the 10 years I have been coaching at Gibault, and I'm not sure we've had a better goalie come through the program. While his stats, beyond saves this season, don't tell the tale of his talents, there is no doubt he was the primary reason we remained competitive in each game this fall.”
Haudrich said Olson has few flaws, if any.
“He just continues to impress with his ability to move the ball well with his feet, stays composed under pressure, makes sound decisions consistently, is accurate with his punts, throws and goal kicks and is able to fly through the air as well as get low to make saves in a variety of ranges,” said Haudrich. “He is an all-around talent, and adds captain status to his list of abilities in being able to control and set the defense.”
Olson, a product of the powerful Scott Gallagher program in St. Louis, said earlier in the season he was considering Belmont or Dayton to continue his playing career.
Alex Bira, another senior who has played well, sacrificed himself this season and played center back instead of his normal spot at the wing. He’s made the transition look easy and has drawn the task of marking the opposition's top forward most of the year.
“Alex is another major reason we have been able to remain competitive this fall,” said Haudrich. “He does an excellent job to read plays of opposing team's attacks. That is evident with his timely blocks, pass interceptions, as well as defensive headers and quality distributions from the backline. He does an exceptional job to remain composed when pressure is at it's highest and that is likely a testament to his skill set as well as benefit of playing at a high club level and playing in meaningful games the past three years on the road to state.”
Bira has managed to add some offensive punch with three goals.
“He’s dangerous on set pieces through the air,” said Haudrich. “Alex keeps things simple and doesn't over complicate his movement or choices. He is smart, tackles strong and leads well with his high level of play. Alex is definitely underrated and likely our best field player.”
Haudrich said if the Hawks had a little more depth, Bira would excel even more.
“Unfortunately for him he's had to play the bulk of time as a center back; I can't afford to have him not keep our defense settled,” said Haudrich. “Last year he played an outside back position and formed one of the best back lines in the state at the AA level. On other area teams he may be their best distributor or even lead goal-scorer, he really is that talented and versatile.”
Gavin Kohnz, another senior, might be the perfect example of the Gibault style of play. He’s a gritty midfielder/forward that does all the dirty work to get the Hawks offense on the attack.
“We transitioned him to the attack because of his aggression and preference to attack,” said Haudrich. “Gavin plays an intense and competitive style of soccer with a no-quit and hard-nosed approach. He is constantly working to command the ball and expects a lot from his team to maintain a high level of play as well.”
Dominican, Blackburn and Wisconsin-Platteville have all expressed interest in the tough forward. He has three goals and four assists.
The Hawks will try to turn around their fortunes and find some postseason magic in their quarterfinal match of the Edwardsville Regional. They meet Granite City at 11 a.m. Saturday at Oerter Field in Columbia. Gibault earned a 3-2 triple overtime win at the Warriors home field on Sept. 26.