Fremd, Downers South
brace for traditional tuneup match
Well-run programs taking each other for test drive
By Matt Le Cren
Well-coached.
Technically sound.
Historically successful.
All are adjectives that can be used to describe the Downers Grove South and Fremd soccer programs.
So when the teams meet, as they will again Saturday afternoon in Palatine, fans can usually expect a well-played, close game.
That was the case last year when host Downers South eked out a 1-0 win in its season opener, triggering a 9-0-2 start on its way to a 14-3-4 campaign.
Though it was early in the season, the win was impressive considering that Fremd went on to win 20 games and finish third in the state for the second time in four seasons under coach Steve Keller.
“I think both coach Keller and myself like this as a great nonconference tuneup,” Downers Grove South coach Jon Stapleton said. “Obviously he had a great year last year taking third in the state, and I assume they’ll be pretty tough again. It will be a good test.”
The Mustangs opened their season in historic fashion Thursday with a 6-1 win against Glenbard East. The result produced the 500th win in program history.
Downers Grove South looks to add significantly to that total with the return six starters from a team that reached the regional title game before losing in double overtime to Oak Park and River Forest.
The bulk of that experience comes in the back, where senior goalkeeper Sam Dumford anchors a defense that was tough to beat last fall. Dumford recorded 11 shutouts and earned All-Conference honors.
Outside defenders Ryan Strelau and Griffin Overbeck also return, joining first-year starters Anthony Masello and Peter Carr to form an all-senior defensive line.
In the midfield, Peter Fish and Peter Becht are returning starters. Junior Nick Rohl is the lone returning starter up top, although junior forward Ian Wisniewski started several games last year while dealing with an ankle injury.
Rohl is expected to be the linchpin of the attack after a strong sophomore season that produced 10 goals and seven assists as well as All-Conference and All-Sectional honors.
“We’re hoping he can repeat that,” Stapleton said. “But we think we have some guys who can complement him and take some of the load off of his shoulders.”
Wisniewski and junior Garrett Burns are two such candidates.
“Scoring in practice isn’t the same as scoring in a game, but (Burns) broke his ankle at the start of summer camp (in 2014) and didn’t get his legs under him until late in the season,” Stapleton said. “Wisniewski was another kid who had an injury and never played the role I envisioned for him.”
Both are now healthy and have jelled with their teammates.
“I’m really pleased with the work ethic,” Stapleton said. ”It’s a tight-knit group that has a natural chemistry.
“They like playing for one another, and there is some talent there. Every year is different, even if you have some of the same players, but our outlook is optimistic.”
Fremd will need new players to step up if the Vikings want to approach the success they enjoyed last season.
Junior forward/midfielder Luke Shoffstall is the only returning starter frm the team that lost a 2-1 semifinal decision to eventual state champion Hinsdale Central before blowing out Streamwood 4-0 in the third place game.
So far the Vikings are off to a slow start this season. They lost 2-1 to Niles North on Monday in the Central Suburban League/Mid-Suburban League Challenge and were beaten 5-1 by New Trier in a nonconference matchup Thursday. But don't count Fremd out -- last year they started with a 1-3 mark.
brace for traditional tuneup match
Well-run programs taking each other for test drive
By Matt Le Cren
Well-coached.
Technically sound.
Historically successful.
All are adjectives that can be used to describe the Downers Grove South and Fremd soccer programs.
So when the teams meet, as they will again Saturday afternoon in Palatine, fans can usually expect a well-played, close game.
That was the case last year when host Downers South eked out a 1-0 win in its season opener, triggering a 9-0-2 start on its way to a 14-3-4 campaign.
Though it was early in the season, the win was impressive considering that Fremd went on to win 20 games and finish third in the state for the second time in four seasons under coach Steve Keller.
“I think both coach Keller and myself like this as a great nonconference tuneup,” Downers Grove South coach Jon Stapleton said. “Obviously he had a great year last year taking third in the state, and I assume they’ll be pretty tough again. It will be a good test.”
The Mustangs opened their season in historic fashion Thursday with a 6-1 win against Glenbard East. The result produced the 500th win in program history.
Downers Grove South looks to add significantly to that total with the return six starters from a team that reached the regional title game before losing in double overtime to Oak Park and River Forest.
The bulk of that experience comes in the back, where senior goalkeeper Sam Dumford anchors a defense that was tough to beat last fall. Dumford recorded 11 shutouts and earned All-Conference honors.
Outside defenders Ryan Strelau and Griffin Overbeck also return, joining first-year starters Anthony Masello and Peter Carr to form an all-senior defensive line.
In the midfield, Peter Fish and Peter Becht are returning starters. Junior Nick Rohl is the lone returning starter up top, although junior forward Ian Wisniewski started several games last year while dealing with an ankle injury.
Rohl is expected to be the linchpin of the attack after a strong sophomore season that produced 10 goals and seven assists as well as All-Conference and All-Sectional honors.
“We’re hoping he can repeat that,” Stapleton said. “But we think we have some guys who can complement him and take some of the load off of his shoulders.”
Wisniewski and junior Garrett Burns are two such candidates.
“Scoring in practice isn’t the same as scoring in a game, but (Burns) broke his ankle at the start of summer camp (in 2014) and didn’t get his legs under him until late in the season,” Stapleton said. “Wisniewski was another kid who had an injury and never played the role I envisioned for him.”
Both are now healthy and have jelled with their teammates.
“I’m really pleased with the work ethic,” Stapleton said. ”It’s a tight-knit group that has a natural chemistry.
“They like playing for one another, and there is some talent there. Every year is different, even if you have some of the same players, but our outlook is optimistic.”
Fremd will need new players to step up if the Vikings want to approach the success they enjoyed last season.
Junior forward/midfielder Luke Shoffstall is the only returning starter frm the team that lost a 2-1 semifinal decision to eventual state champion Hinsdale Central before blowing out Streamwood 4-0 in the third place game.
So far the Vikings are off to a slow start this season. They lost 2-1 to Niles North on Monday in the Central Suburban League/Mid-Suburban League Challenge and were beaten 5-1 by New Trier in a nonconference matchup Thursday. But don't count Fremd out -- last year they started with a 1-3 mark.