McManus emerging as offensive force
Hales maturing in goal; St. Joseph game looms next week
By Dave Owen
CHICAGO -- Ethan McManus didn’t start Saint Ignatius’ match Thursday against Loyola, but he certainly knows how to finish.
Entering the game in the 25th minute after starter Ian Waller left with a leg injury, McManus scored his seventh goal of the season to give the Wolfpack a 1-0 lead in its eventual 2-1 win. He narrowly missed two great chances later in the game (one a shot off the post), and the senior has been an effective force around the net all season.
He’s a very scrappy player,” Saint Ignatius coach Ryan Kearns said of McManus. “He gets into the mix, and I think he thrives best when there are a lot of bodies in space. He’ll find the ball and get his toe on the ball.
“He turns really well with the ball too. I think he’s scored six of his goals with his left foot, and he’s better with his right foot. So it’s good to see him doing that.”
Growing up in goal
Sophomore goalkeeper Bryant Hales has been a central part in Saint Ignatius’ rebuilding effort, after the departure of most of the starting lineup from last year’s Class 2A state runners-up.
The Wolfpack has four shutouts this season.
“Bryant’s learning a lot about this game,” Kearns said. “He played as a freshman on the sophomore team last year, and now he’s a sophomore playing on varsity. And that’s a huge jump in skill level. He’s learning a lot right now, and I think that’s going to be great for him the rest of this season and next season.”
Kearns was impressed with Hales’ ability to bounce back from a 4-3 loss to De La Salle on Tuesday.
“Bryant had a better game,” he said. “For some reason on Tuesday he was letting balls come into the box that he should have picked up and didn’t. But it’s all part of learning.”
Key stretch
With a 2-1 league record after the win over Loyola, Saint Ignatius’ conference title hopes will be made or broken in the next seven days with matches at DePaul Prep and St. Joseph.
“I know St. Joe's is having a good season, and they had a great season last year so they’re riding some confidence,” Kearns said. “We’re going to have to go in and take that away from them on Thursday.”
Finishing off chances is one area of focus for the Wolfpack.
“For some reason in practice our guys can finish and put the ball where it needs to go. Then they get on the field and put it just over the bar or just to the right or left,” Kearns said. “Once they start finding the net, I think we’re going to be very tough to beat. But we have to start finishing or we’re going to run into trouble.”
Hales maturing in goal; St. Joseph game looms next week
By Dave Owen
CHICAGO -- Ethan McManus didn’t start Saint Ignatius’ match Thursday against Loyola, but he certainly knows how to finish.
Entering the game in the 25th minute after starter Ian Waller left with a leg injury, McManus scored his seventh goal of the season to give the Wolfpack a 1-0 lead in its eventual 2-1 win. He narrowly missed two great chances later in the game (one a shot off the post), and the senior has been an effective force around the net all season.
He’s a very scrappy player,” Saint Ignatius coach Ryan Kearns said of McManus. “He gets into the mix, and I think he thrives best when there are a lot of bodies in space. He’ll find the ball and get his toe on the ball.
“He turns really well with the ball too. I think he’s scored six of his goals with his left foot, and he’s better with his right foot. So it’s good to see him doing that.”
Growing up in goal
Sophomore goalkeeper Bryant Hales has been a central part in Saint Ignatius’ rebuilding effort, after the departure of most of the starting lineup from last year’s Class 2A state runners-up.
The Wolfpack has four shutouts this season.
“Bryant’s learning a lot about this game,” Kearns said. “He played as a freshman on the sophomore team last year, and now he’s a sophomore playing on varsity. And that’s a huge jump in skill level. He’s learning a lot right now, and I think that’s going to be great for him the rest of this season and next season.”
Kearns was impressed with Hales’ ability to bounce back from a 4-3 loss to De La Salle on Tuesday.
“Bryant had a better game,” he said. “For some reason on Tuesday he was letting balls come into the box that he should have picked up and didn’t. But it’s all part of learning.”
Key stretch
With a 2-1 league record after the win over Loyola, Saint Ignatius’ conference title hopes will be made or broken in the next seven days with matches at DePaul Prep and St. Joseph.
“I know St. Joe's is having a good season, and they had a great season last year so they’re riding some confidence,” Kearns said. “We’re going to have to go in and take that away from them on Thursday.”
Finishing off chances is one area of focus for the Wolfpack.
“For some reason in practice our guys can finish and put the ball where it needs to go. Then they get on the field and put it just over the bar or just to the right or left,” Kearns said. “Once they start finding the net, I think we’re going to be very tough to beat. But we have to start finishing or we’re going to run into trouble.”