Waubonsie Valley seeks to silence
Bartlett buzz in Best of the West tourney
By Alison Moran
For Waubonsie Valley coach Jose Garcia, Thursday's Best of the West tournament matchup with Bartlett, who just knocked off no. 7 Naperville Central 2-1 on Tuesday night, will reveal what his team is made of at this early juncture of the season.
The teams will converge from opposite ends of the spectrum. Garcia's Warriors (0-1-1) lost a tough 2-1 decision to Sandburg in first round play Tuesday.
But Garcia has Warriors he's counting on to deflate the Hawks' balloon in the 7 p.m. Thursday game at Naperville Central.
"Leo Mendoza (who scored Tuesday night on a great individual effort) is the type of player that can create something out of nothing," Garcia said. "We will (also) rely on Ryan Dittmer in the mid, who has a great vision on the field."
Bartlett's opening round game with Naperville Central was so intense, it caused one observer to post to the team Facebook page that it was "An exciting game to watch, but stress levels too high. We need to get up by more than 2 goals so parents can live longer."
First-year Bartlett head coach Vince DiNuzzo agreed, at least with the scoring part.
"Getting up by two goals is one thing we have talked about,” he said. “We have to do a better job of finishing our opportunities.”
How'd the Hawks (1-1-0) pull off the biggest upset of the early season?
DiNuzzo, a former Upstate Eight All-Conference keeper at Bartlett and 2008 graduate, made adjustments that rocked the rankings in Illinois state soccer this week.
"We made a change to our attacking shape in the second half," he said. "We also decided to play a little bit more direct to our wingers. It seemed to create some good scoring opportunities."
DiNuzzo gave credit to Ryan Stratton, Venici Leone, and Tommy Riordan as "difference-makers," but noted that "everyone increased their level of play."
The challenge for the Hawks, besides a motivated Waubonsie Valley side, is avoid a letdown.
"We expect another solid and organized squad in Waubonsie Valley," DiNuzzo said. "We expect a team that will be as hungry for a win as we are, especially after not getting a result against Sandburg.
"It will be a great contest."
Bartlett buzz in Best of the West tourney
By Alison Moran
For Waubonsie Valley coach Jose Garcia, Thursday's Best of the West tournament matchup with Bartlett, who just knocked off no. 7 Naperville Central 2-1 on Tuesday night, will reveal what his team is made of at this early juncture of the season.
The teams will converge from opposite ends of the spectrum. Garcia's Warriors (0-1-1) lost a tough 2-1 decision to Sandburg in first round play Tuesday.
But Garcia has Warriors he's counting on to deflate the Hawks' balloon in the 7 p.m. Thursday game at Naperville Central.
"Leo Mendoza (who scored Tuesday night on a great individual effort) is the type of player that can create something out of nothing," Garcia said. "We will (also) rely on Ryan Dittmer in the mid, who has a great vision on the field."
Bartlett's opening round game with Naperville Central was so intense, it caused one observer to post to the team Facebook page that it was "An exciting game to watch, but stress levels too high. We need to get up by more than 2 goals so parents can live longer."
First-year Bartlett head coach Vince DiNuzzo agreed, at least with the scoring part.
"Getting up by two goals is one thing we have talked about,” he said. “We have to do a better job of finishing our opportunities.”
How'd the Hawks (1-1-0) pull off the biggest upset of the early season?
DiNuzzo, a former Upstate Eight All-Conference keeper at Bartlett and 2008 graduate, made adjustments that rocked the rankings in Illinois state soccer this week.
"We made a change to our attacking shape in the second half," he said. "We also decided to play a little bit more direct to our wingers. It seemed to create some good scoring opportunities."
DiNuzzo gave credit to Ryan Stratton, Venici Leone, and Tommy Riordan as "difference-makers," but noted that "everyone increased their level of play."
The challenge for the Hawks, besides a motivated Waubonsie Valley side, is avoid a letdown.
"We expect another solid and organized squad in Waubonsie Valley," DiNuzzo said. "We expect a team that will be as hungry for a win as we are, especially after not getting a result against Sandburg.
"It will be a great contest."