Notebook: Carroll keeps
young Sabres sharp
Blanco also plays key role for Streamwood
By Mike Garofola
As one of three seniors on the 2015 Streamwood soccer club, Tawny Carroll understands and relishes her role as an "old-timer." Coach Matt Polovin's gentle push to play one more weekend tournament during the club soccer season led to Carroll's decision to attend Drake University next fall.
Both Carroll and Alondra Blanco were unnerved by the Sabres' 3-1 loss to visiting West Chicago on Tuesday afternoon with the knowledge that bigger and better things lie ahead for their club, which is oh so young, yet oh so talented. But the players might need some extra time to learn how to cope with competing at the varsity level.
"We start a bunch of freshmen and sophomores who need to learn just how fast the speed of play is at this level, and I really feel from our first game nearly two weeks ago, there's been a lot of progress for the entire team," said Carroll, who, in the Sabres' 6-0 victory in the opener, drove home two, while recording a pair of helpers
"Tawny is one of the top forwards in the area this year, so she will be someone we'll have to rely on while the others find their way, especially in the early going," said Polovin, who adds the aforementioned Blanco, as well as Shonali Pierce-Vazquez and Karina Nevarez, to his list of top forwards.
"We obviously didn't want this loss (today). But we were so much better than our first game, especially with our pace, and ability to find feet -- so much more in the second half than the first. So I know we'll continue to work and get better with each time out," Blanco said.
Polovin stations Blanco in the middle of the park, with the expectation that his tall-and-athletic sophomore will win her fair share of 50-50s on the floor and in the air, while distributing and creating when the club gets forward.
"We have 13 players back from last year, but it's always tough when many of them are not playing club to keep their skill level up there, but that's also what makes my job so much fun, and one that I continue to enjoy and love doing," Polovin said. "It's much like in the classroom, and I get to teach and instruct how this game can and should be played. It can be quite rewarding."
During the offseason, Polovin coaches for the Fox Valley Strikers, where Carroll has honed her talents -- and where Polovin's "suggestion" to play one last tournament would influence her decision to commit to Drake.
"I really wanted my club season to be over, but (Polovin) kind of insisted I play one more time, so I guess he can say I told you so," joked Carroll, who early on had verbally committed to play at Lewis University in Romeoville.
With the coaching staffs from both the University of Iowa and Drake in attendance, Carroll wowed each, leading to a visit to Drake. The senior instantly fell in love with the campus and its program, and a chance to play Division I soccer.
"I can't wait to go there next fall, but not before helping my team here at Streamwood be as good as we possibly can this season," she said.
young Sabres sharp
Blanco also plays key role for Streamwood
By Mike Garofola
As one of three seniors on the 2015 Streamwood soccer club, Tawny Carroll understands and relishes her role as an "old-timer." Coach Matt Polovin's gentle push to play one more weekend tournament during the club soccer season led to Carroll's decision to attend Drake University next fall.
Both Carroll and Alondra Blanco were unnerved by the Sabres' 3-1 loss to visiting West Chicago on Tuesday afternoon with the knowledge that bigger and better things lie ahead for their club, which is oh so young, yet oh so talented. But the players might need some extra time to learn how to cope with competing at the varsity level.
"We start a bunch of freshmen and sophomores who need to learn just how fast the speed of play is at this level, and I really feel from our first game nearly two weeks ago, there's been a lot of progress for the entire team," said Carroll, who, in the Sabres' 6-0 victory in the opener, drove home two, while recording a pair of helpers
"Tawny is one of the top forwards in the area this year, so she will be someone we'll have to rely on while the others find their way, especially in the early going," said Polovin, who adds the aforementioned Blanco, as well as Shonali Pierce-Vazquez and Karina Nevarez, to his list of top forwards.
"We obviously didn't want this loss (today). But we were so much better than our first game, especially with our pace, and ability to find feet -- so much more in the second half than the first. So I know we'll continue to work and get better with each time out," Blanco said.
Polovin stations Blanco in the middle of the park, with the expectation that his tall-and-athletic sophomore will win her fair share of 50-50s on the floor and in the air, while distributing and creating when the club gets forward.
"We have 13 players back from last year, but it's always tough when many of them are not playing club to keep their skill level up there, but that's also what makes my job so much fun, and one that I continue to enjoy and love doing," Polovin said. "It's much like in the classroom, and I get to teach and instruct how this game can and should be played. It can be quite rewarding."
During the offseason, Polovin coaches for the Fox Valley Strikers, where Carroll has honed her talents -- and where Polovin's "suggestion" to play one last tournament would influence her decision to commit to Drake.
"I really wanted my club season to be over, but (Polovin) kind of insisted I play one more time, so I guess he can say I told you so," joked Carroll, who early on had verbally committed to play at Lewis University in Romeoville.
With the coaching staffs from both the University of Iowa and Drake in attendance, Carroll wowed each, leading to a visit to Drake. The senior instantly fell in love with the campus and its program, and a chance to play Division I soccer.
"I can't wait to go there next fall, but not before helping my team here at Streamwood be as good as we possibly can this season," she said.