Rivalry develops quickly
between new DVC foes
Lake Park, Naperville Central play third classic game in two years
By Chris Walker
ROSELLE -- Naperville Central sophomore defender Griffin Geisler didn’t play against Lake Park last year, but he knew everything that he needed to know once he took the field Tuesday night.
“Lake Park’s been really good, especially lately,” Geisler said. “They’re a great team to come out and play against. I thought our effort was there to beat them, but we just couldn’t put one of those chances away.”
Geisler’s older brother Justin was on last year’s team, so Griffin recalls the Redhawks losing at home on Senior Night -- Justin’s night -- as well as the night of a great group of seniors who went downstate three straight years for the program.
“You never forget that, and I remember them coming in and beating us on Senior Night, which really stunk,” he said. “I know how bad that hurt my brother. It was nice they were able to beat them in the third-place game, but unfortunately we couldn’t get this one.”
Lake Park coach Anthony Passi recalled last year’s meetings as well as the DVC as a whole.
“I think the DVC loss probably hurt a little bit more and they wanted to get back at us,” he said. “I think we tend to play to the competition a little bit and we tend to rise for DVC soccer.”
As successful as they’ve been this season, the Lancers (11-1-4, 1-0-2) only have one DVC win. That’s a testament to how competitive the conference is perennially.
“It’s nothing but the best soccer,” he said. “Everyone plays hard, they play aggressive and it’s exciting and passionate soccer. Sure, it’s physical, but it’s some of the best soccer.”
Lake Park senior forward Oliver Horgan, who nearly stunned the Redhawks in the second overtime when he had a shot clank off the right post, said he could feel the frustration mount from the visitors, as they were unable to finish.
“I think both teams were feeling pressure knowing what happened the last times we played,” he said. “I think they were frustrated at the end. We knew they were going to get angry as the game went on if they couldn’t get one.”
Let them play! Let them play!
Lake Park senior Miguel Ramirez was physically exhausted after playing 100 minutes of soccer Tuesday in a 0-0 tie against Naperville Central.
Still, he wanted to keep going. There’s just something about going home with nothing truly decided in a tie.
“From a soccer standpoint, you just want to keep playing,” Ramirez said. “It’s such a great game that you want to see who wins it.”
Naperville Central's Geisler expressed similar sentiments.
“You have two teams out there trying to get an edge, trying to get ahead, and then the game’s over,” he said. “I thought we played well both halves and into overtime, but we had nothing to show for it. It’s tough to have to end it that way.”
After such long, hard-fought play for nearly two hours, you have to wonder what the teams had left.
“By the end of the game, you’re just doing whatever you can to get the ball in the back of the net,” Lake Park forward Oliver Horgan said. “It’s getting sloppy and you’re really only going on adrenaline and wanting to win. By then you’re so tired. Wanting to win is all you have to keep you going.”
The game left fans wanting more and wondering what a third overtime would bring.
No free meals on his menu
Lake Park goalkeeper Michael Jasiak shouldn’t expect any free meals the next time he visits Naperville.
Boy, is the kid greedy.
Jasiak has now shut out both Naperville North and Naperville Central.
“He’s stopped both Naperville schools, which says a lot,” Lake Park's Horgan said. “If you can stop those teams, you can stop any team in the state. It’s good to have a keeper like that back there.”
Wanted: part-time scorer
There was no doubt that Naperville Central coach Troy Adams was frustrated after Tuesday’s loss. It was the second time the Redhawks have been shutout in six games.
“We have to find a way to get it done,” Adams said. “It can’t be the same two or three guys (scoring). Somebody else has to contribute. It doesn’t have to be 10 goals, just four or five here or there. We need someone to step up and find a key spot. We’ll have to keep searching for those.”
Naperville Central senior midfielder Riley Guttosch said he’s confident that someone will step up for the Redhawks and fill the scoring void.
“We’ve already had a ton of kids step up this year,” he said. “We’ve got four great captains that have done a great job of leading us, telling us where to go and helping us, especially some of us that hadn’t stepped on a varsity field before and are now starting.”
What about pressure, though? Is it mounting for a team that’s just 1-1-4 in its last six games?
“I don’t think we’re feeling any added pressure,” Guttosch said. “I think we know what to do. If Coach is disappointed, I think that just makes me want to be the one that goes out there and gets the goal we need, the big guy to win the game. I think we all feel that way.”
between new DVC foes
Lake Park, Naperville Central play third classic game in two years
By Chris Walker
ROSELLE -- Naperville Central sophomore defender Griffin Geisler didn’t play against Lake Park last year, but he knew everything that he needed to know once he took the field Tuesday night.
“Lake Park’s been really good, especially lately,” Geisler said. “They’re a great team to come out and play against. I thought our effort was there to beat them, but we just couldn’t put one of those chances away.”
Geisler’s older brother Justin was on last year’s team, so Griffin recalls the Redhawks losing at home on Senior Night -- Justin’s night -- as well as the night of a great group of seniors who went downstate three straight years for the program.
“You never forget that, and I remember them coming in and beating us on Senior Night, which really stunk,” he said. “I know how bad that hurt my brother. It was nice they were able to beat them in the third-place game, but unfortunately we couldn’t get this one.”
Lake Park coach Anthony Passi recalled last year’s meetings as well as the DVC as a whole.
“I think the DVC loss probably hurt a little bit more and they wanted to get back at us,” he said. “I think we tend to play to the competition a little bit and we tend to rise for DVC soccer.”
As successful as they’ve been this season, the Lancers (11-1-4, 1-0-2) only have one DVC win. That’s a testament to how competitive the conference is perennially.
“It’s nothing but the best soccer,” he said. “Everyone plays hard, they play aggressive and it’s exciting and passionate soccer. Sure, it’s physical, but it’s some of the best soccer.”
Lake Park senior forward Oliver Horgan, who nearly stunned the Redhawks in the second overtime when he had a shot clank off the right post, said he could feel the frustration mount from the visitors, as they were unable to finish.
“I think both teams were feeling pressure knowing what happened the last times we played,” he said. “I think they were frustrated at the end. We knew they were going to get angry as the game went on if they couldn’t get one.”
Let them play! Let them play!
Lake Park senior Miguel Ramirez was physically exhausted after playing 100 minutes of soccer Tuesday in a 0-0 tie against Naperville Central.
Still, he wanted to keep going. There’s just something about going home with nothing truly decided in a tie.
“From a soccer standpoint, you just want to keep playing,” Ramirez said. “It’s such a great game that you want to see who wins it.”
Naperville Central's Geisler expressed similar sentiments.
“You have two teams out there trying to get an edge, trying to get ahead, and then the game’s over,” he said. “I thought we played well both halves and into overtime, but we had nothing to show for it. It’s tough to have to end it that way.”
After such long, hard-fought play for nearly two hours, you have to wonder what the teams had left.
“By the end of the game, you’re just doing whatever you can to get the ball in the back of the net,” Lake Park forward Oliver Horgan said. “It’s getting sloppy and you’re really only going on adrenaline and wanting to win. By then you’re so tired. Wanting to win is all you have to keep you going.”
The game left fans wanting more and wondering what a third overtime would bring.
No free meals on his menu
Lake Park goalkeeper Michael Jasiak shouldn’t expect any free meals the next time he visits Naperville.
Boy, is the kid greedy.
Jasiak has now shut out both Naperville North and Naperville Central.
“He’s stopped both Naperville schools, which says a lot,” Lake Park's Horgan said. “If you can stop those teams, you can stop any team in the state. It’s good to have a keeper like that back there.”
Wanted: part-time scorer
There was no doubt that Naperville Central coach Troy Adams was frustrated after Tuesday’s loss. It was the second time the Redhawks have been shutout in six games.
“We have to find a way to get it done,” Adams said. “It can’t be the same two or three guys (scoring). Somebody else has to contribute. It doesn’t have to be 10 goals, just four or five here or there. We need someone to step up and find a key spot. We’ll have to keep searching for those.”
Naperville Central senior midfielder Riley Guttosch said he’s confident that someone will step up for the Redhawks and fill the scoring void.
“We’ve already had a ton of kids step up this year,” he said. “We’ve got four great captains that have done a great job of leading us, telling us where to go and helping us, especially some of us that hadn’t stepped on a varsity field before and are now starting.”
What about pressure, though? Is it mounting for a team that’s just 1-1-4 in its last six games?
“I don’t think we’re feeling any added pressure,” Guttosch said. “I think we know what to do. If Coach is disappointed, I think that just makes me want to be the one that goes out there and gets the goal we need, the big guy to win the game. I think we all feel that way.”