It’s up to Mother Nature now
Batavia-Metea Valley game depends on snowmelt
By Chris Walker
Metea Valley and Batavia hope to play Tuesday evening in Aurora.
Mother Nature has yet to give her approval.
A few inches of snow that fell early Monday decorated both communities and gave more of a December feel than what’s soon to be April in the Chicagoland area.
With warmer temperatures expected for Tuesday and the artificial surface at Metea Valley more sympathetic of melting the unwanted cold, white stuff, Mustangs coach Chris Whaley is hopeful that the snow will melt and the teams can face each other for what should be a great early-season matchup.
“The forecast says it should be warm enough, but you just never know,” Whaley said. “Will it warm up quickly enough and begin melting? We’ll see. We hope to be able to play.”
Coincidentally, both teams have a shared opponent already.
Metea Valley (1-0-2) picked up its first win of the season Saturday, earning a 1-0 win against Plainfield Central on a Jade Eriksen-Russo goal.
Batavia (1-0-1) also fared well against the Wildcats, earning a 4-0 victory in its opener last week.
“I thought we showed some flashes of brilliance, more or less, in the first game,” Gianfrancesco said. “Plainfield Central isn’t amazing, but they have three or four physical girls that will knock the snot out of you.”
Gianfrancesco was especially pleased with how well the Bulldogs were able to sub and then take over the game in the second half with three goals.
“We subbed pretty liberally and the other group really started to kick it well,” he said. “We stuck with those same kids and they were running so well that they stuck in three goals, which was great. It’s great to have that kind of the depth.”
The Bulldogs couldn’t make it two straight Saturday, settling for a 0-0 draw against Oswego, despite outplaying the Panthers.
“They’ve got some big girls in the middle that are really physical, and they started off pretty good, but by the second half they couldn’t match our fitness level,” Gianfrancesco said. “We had our starters back in the second half, and it was on their end the whole time.
“So I liked what I saw from them in the first game, and I liked what I saw against Oswego, which was a better opponent and more physical.”
The Mustangs tied Wheaton North and Plainfield North before getting their first win.
“We feel good that we were able to get in three games last week,” Whaley said. “We’re happy to get a game against Wheaton North, a nonconference game like that which was a nice scrimmage scenario, and then Plainfield North and Plainfield Central. With so many faces, it was kind of nice to get on the field and see what they can do.”
Whaley understands that he’s got a lot of youth and varsity playing inexperience, but he also knows he’s got talent which was displayed throughout last week.
“We have four starters this year who were starters last year, but all those other girls are working hard too so it doesn’t take long to click,” he said. “We came out a little flat (Saturday) after having two hard games.”
The game takes on added significance since some players on opposing sides know each other. Call it bragging rights. Call in reminiscing. Call it teenage fun. It’s just too good of an opportunity for Mother Nature to not let it happen.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge, and I know a lot of the girls know each other from playing with Strikers in St. Charles,” Whaley said. “A lot of them are familiar with each other.”
He’d like to see them become familiar with winning as well.
“I know our girls felt they outplayed Wheaton North but only came out with the tie and with Plainfield North, it was back and forth a bit, but they thought they played well enough to win,” he said. “It’s nice they have that edge about them and want to win against quality opponents.”
Batavia’s one such opponent with several seniors already committed to play in college next year. They aren’t looking to next year yet though, but are looking to lead the Bulldogs to a special season.
“We know we’ll have to pressure their forwards up top because they move really well,” Gianfrancesco said. “If they’re well rested, they’re pretty dangerous like everybody else.”
It may not be April yet, and sadly there may be snow still on the ground, but Batavia continues to see senior midfielder Karina Rosales slowly climb back toward 100 percent health. There’s no doubt that the Bulldogs are a better team when she’s on the field.
“She looked more like herself, especially in the second half on Saturday,” Gianfrancesco said. “She rode herself out more and that might be some confidence for her. She’s not 100 percent, but she’s closer than she’s been.”
If the snow does melt, the match will begin at approximately 6:30 p.m.
Batavia-Metea Valley game depends on snowmelt
By Chris Walker
Metea Valley and Batavia hope to play Tuesday evening in Aurora.
Mother Nature has yet to give her approval.
A few inches of snow that fell early Monday decorated both communities and gave more of a December feel than what’s soon to be April in the Chicagoland area.
With warmer temperatures expected for Tuesday and the artificial surface at Metea Valley more sympathetic of melting the unwanted cold, white stuff, Mustangs coach Chris Whaley is hopeful that the snow will melt and the teams can face each other for what should be a great early-season matchup.
“The forecast says it should be warm enough, but you just never know,” Whaley said. “Will it warm up quickly enough and begin melting? We’ll see. We hope to be able to play.”
Coincidentally, both teams have a shared opponent already.
Metea Valley (1-0-2) picked up its first win of the season Saturday, earning a 1-0 win against Plainfield Central on a Jade Eriksen-Russo goal.
Batavia (1-0-1) also fared well against the Wildcats, earning a 4-0 victory in its opener last week.
“I thought we showed some flashes of brilliance, more or less, in the first game,” Gianfrancesco said. “Plainfield Central isn’t amazing, but they have three or four physical girls that will knock the snot out of you.”
Gianfrancesco was especially pleased with how well the Bulldogs were able to sub and then take over the game in the second half with three goals.
“We subbed pretty liberally and the other group really started to kick it well,” he said. “We stuck with those same kids and they were running so well that they stuck in three goals, which was great. It’s great to have that kind of the depth.”
The Bulldogs couldn’t make it two straight Saturday, settling for a 0-0 draw against Oswego, despite outplaying the Panthers.
“They’ve got some big girls in the middle that are really physical, and they started off pretty good, but by the second half they couldn’t match our fitness level,” Gianfrancesco said. “We had our starters back in the second half, and it was on their end the whole time.
“So I liked what I saw from them in the first game, and I liked what I saw against Oswego, which was a better opponent and more physical.”
The Mustangs tied Wheaton North and Plainfield North before getting their first win.
“We feel good that we were able to get in three games last week,” Whaley said. “We’re happy to get a game against Wheaton North, a nonconference game like that which was a nice scrimmage scenario, and then Plainfield North and Plainfield Central. With so many faces, it was kind of nice to get on the field and see what they can do.”
Whaley understands that he’s got a lot of youth and varsity playing inexperience, but he also knows he’s got talent which was displayed throughout last week.
“We have four starters this year who were starters last year, but all those other girls are working hard too so it doesn’t take long to click,” he said. “We came out a little flat (Saturday) after having two hard games.”
The game takes on added significance since some players on opposing sides know each other. Call it bragging rights. Call in reminiscing. Call it teenage fun. It’s just too good of an opportunity for Mother Nature to not let it happen.
“We’re looking forward to the challenge, and I know a lot of the girls know each other from playing with Strikers in St. Charles,” Whaley said. “A lot of them are familiar with each other.”
He’d like to see them become familiar with winning as well.
“I know our girls felt they outplayed Wheaton North but only came out with the tie and with Plainfield North, it was back and forth a bit, but they thought they played well enough to win,” he said. “It’s nice they have that edge about them and want to win against quality opponents.”
Batavia’s one such opponent with several seniors already committed to play in college next year. They aren’t looking to next year yet though, but are looking to lead the Bulldogs to a special season.
“We know we’ll have to pressure their forwards up top because they move really well,” Gianfrancesco said. “If they’re well rested, they’re pretty dangerous like everybody else.”
It may not be April yet, and sadly there may be snow still on the ground, but Batavia continues to see senior midfielder Karina Rosales slowly climb back toward 100 percent health. There’s no doubt that the Bulldogs are a better team when she’s on the field.
“She looked more like herself, especially in the second half on Saturday,” Gianfrancesco said. “She rode herself out more and that might be some confidence for her. She’s not 100 percent, but she’s closer than she’s been.”
If the snow does melt, the match will begin at approximately 6:30 p.m.