Hinsdale Central faces first
hurdle in Downers North
Rivals for WSC Silver crown face off in conference opener
By Dave Owen
The rugged road to the West Suburban Conference Silver Division title begins Thursday, and perennial league power Hinsdale Central expects an immediate test from visiting Downers Grove North in the 4:30 p.m. match.
“Downers Grove North gave us trouble last year (a 1-0 Red Devils win in the 2014 Silver opener), and we know they will be extremely organized,” Hinsdale Central coach Michael Smith said. “The match will be an exciting one.”
The Red Devils have produced plenty of excitement in recent years. Hinsdale Central won the 2009 Class 3A state title under coach Skip Begley, and Smith produced big success in his second year by guiding the Red Devils to second place in state in 2013.
The benefits of the long 2013 playoff run continue for the Red Devils. Kaitlyn Livingston, Emily LaRocque, Danielle Shayani, Erin Smith, Jenny Saviski and goalkeeper Katy Coseglia all remain as integral players from that state runner-up squad.
Hinsdale Central enters the conference opener with a 2-1 record, posting shutout wins over West Chicago (7-0 final) and St. Ignatius (2-0) before falling 2-0 to Naperville North on Tuesday.
“We’ve been working on our team defending, specifically applying immediate pressure after turning over the ball,” Smith said. “Offensively, a great deal of focus has been on using combinations and more thoughtful movement off the ball to increase chances in the final third.”
Downers North opened 2015 with a major test and played well in a 2-1 loss to defending Class 2A supersectional squad Lemont. Jessica Riderhoff scored the Trojans goal, assisted by Elizabeth Hodonicky.
Like Hinsdale Central, Downers North features numerous three- and four-year varsity players. That group includes Alexandria Cittadine, Bridget Keys, Mary Helen Beacom, Maria Derrig, Alyse Dutcher, Arlinda Osmani, Emma Krick and Ellena Metros.
The conference rivals share another similarity: Benet eliminated both the Red Devils (at sectional semifinals) and Trojans (regional finals) from the postseason last spring.
hurdle in Downers North
Rivals for WSC Silver crown face off in conference opener
By Dave Owen
The rugged road to the West Suburban Conference Silver Division title begins Thursday, and perennial league power Hinsdale Central expects an immediate test from visiting Downers Grove North in the 4:30 p.m. match.
“Downers Grove North gave us trouble last year (a 1-0 Red Devils win in the 2014 Silver opener), and we know they will be extremely organized,” Hinsdale Central coach Michael Smith said. “The match will be an exciting one.”
The Red Devils have produced plenty of excitement in recent years. Hinsdale Central won the 2009 Class 3A state title under coach Skip Begley, and Smith produced big success in his second year by guiding the Red Devils to second place in state in 2013.
The benefits of the long 2013 playoff run continue for the Red Devils. Kaitlyn Livingston, Emily LaRocque, Danielle Shayani, Erin Smith, Jenny Saviski and goalkeeper Katy Coseglia all remain as integral players from that state runner-up squad.
Hinsdale Central enters the conference opener with a 2-1 record, posting shutout wins over West Chicago (7-0 final) and St. Ignatius (2-0) before falling 2-0 to Naperville North on Tuesday.
“We’ve been working on our team defending, specifically applying immediate pressure after turning over the ball,” Smith said. “Offensively, a great deal of focus has been on using combinations and more thoughtful movement off the ball to increase chances in the final third.”
Downers North opened 2015 with a major test and played well in a 2-1 loss to defending Class 2A supersectional squad Lemont. Jessica Riderhoff scored the Trojans goal, assisted by Elizabeth Hodonicky.
Like Hinsdale Central, Downers North features numerous three- and four-year varsity players. That group includes Alexandria Cittadine, Bridget Keys, Mary Helen Beacom, Maria Derrig, Alyse Dutcher, Arlinda Osmani, Emma Krick and Ellena Metros.
The conference rivals share another similarity: Benet eliminated both the Red Devils (at sectional semifinals) and Trojans (regional finals) from the postseason last spring.