Buffalo Grove hopes to rebound,
stop steamrolling Streamwood
By Dave Owen
Small letdowns have created big problems for Buffalo Grove this season.
The Bison (0-2-1) will have little margin for error at 5 p.m. Wednesday when they face defending Class 4A semifinalist Streamwood (3-1) at the New Trier tournament.
“This team has all the potential in the world, but we have to start finding our identity and playing together as a team,” Bison coach Brad Abel said. “There’s a lot of talent and ability, but that means nothing if we all aren't on the same page and playing within our system.
“We are having difficulty playing a full 80 minutes and closing out the half,” Abel added. “In both games against New Trier (a 2-2 tie) and Lyons (a 3-1 loss), we held 1-0 leads but conceded a goal in each game in the final minutes of the first half.
“Against Maine South (a 1-0 loss), we conceded a goal in the final five minutes of the game. For us to be successful, we just can't have that.”
Streamwood has been very successful, following their long 2014 playoff run with a fast start this fall. The Sabres have three shutout wins sandwiched around a 3-2 loss to Wheeling.
The wins include 1-0 decisions over two common opponents with the Bison -- Lyons and New Trier.
“Some factors that have been helpful so far this season are our hard work and intense practices,” Streamwood coach Matt Polovin said. “I have a young group with 11 underclassmen, and they listen to direction very well. And we’ve seen the benefits of our practices roll over to games, especially the last two (Lyons and New Trier).
The list of Sabre standouts has been a long one.
“Definitely our starting keeper sophomore Daniel Dominguez, who has three shutouts already,” Polovin said. “His confidence has grown so much each game, and his back line has the same confidence in him which helps our team in a big way.
“Senior Donnie Sosa quickly has become a marked man up top, but knows it opens up opportunities for others to get open and find the net.”
Sophomore Aldo Lozaro and freshman Alex Chavez scored game-winning goals against Lyons and New Trier, respectively.
“Our midfield with seniors Edwin Rueda, Armondo Sanchez and freshman Bryan Mora have done a tremendous job being the catalysts of our possession style game,” Polovin said, “moving with the ball and especially without to receive the ball back and find an open man making diagonal runs in the other teams’ final third.
“Our defense has been very solid except for one half vs. Wheeling. Seniors Aaron Villegas, Erie Ortiz, and Luis Segura with sophomore Jair Zuniga have played very well shutting down very strong offensive threats from Lyons, New Trier and East Aurora.”
Buffalo Grove has had its own strong performers. The Bison have played well in every game but for the brief lapses.
“Colin Dekorsi has given us nice pace up front (two goals) with our other front-runner Colin Doyle,” Abel said. “Drew Brauner (one goal), Alex Alfaro, Hector Herrara and Alexis Alvarez have been solid for us in the midfield, as well as our defending group of Gorgis Yelda, Ryan Drum, Hans Haller, Brendon Carr and Tyler Nieman.”
Abel hopes his team is ready for the challenge that Streamwood will pose.
“Streamwood will be similar to Lyons: extremely technical, fast, athletic, and they will go at us,” Abel said. “They’ve had some great results in the tournament so far. Also having gone downstate last year, they know what big games are all about. They are a well-coached team and it will be another great test for us. We want to play these top teams, though, to see how we measure up.”
Two-time defending regional champion Buffalo Grove will test the Sabres as well.
“We know Buffalo Grove will be another very tough game,” Polovin said. “Buffalo Grove will come at us for sure. The guys will have to step it up another level and make sure mistakes are at a limit, or they could come back to haunt us with a team like Buffalo Grove.
“(Our players) know it's really early in the season,” Polovin added, “and we have a lot to work on and still learn each others’ traits on the field.”
Streamwood’s debut trip to the New Trier tournament has been a success – and the championship prize is within reach.
“I, as a coach, feel honored to be a part of the Northside College Showcase,” Polovin said. “I feel it's a great early season test with every team we play.
“Lyons, New Trier, and Buffalo Grove are great opponents, and the guys know they have to be on top of their game at all times. So far it's been a success, and we hope it continues Wednesday and ultimately Friday for the championship game.”
stop steamrolling Streamwood
By Dave Owen
Small letdowns have created big problems for Buffalo Grove this season.
The Bison (0-2-1) will have little margin for error at 5 p.m. Wednesday when they face defending Class 4A semifinalist Streamwood (3-1) at the New Trier tournament.
“This team has all the potential in the world, but we have to start finding our identity and playing together as a team,” Bison coach Brad Abel said. “There’s a lot of talent and ability, but that means nothing if we all aren't on the same page and playing within our system.
“We are having difficulty playing a full 80 minutes and closing out the half,” Abel added. “In both games against New Trier (a 2-2 tie) and Lyons (a 3-1 loss), we held 1-0 leads but conceded a goal in each game in the final minutes of the first half.
“Against Maine South (a 1-0 loss), we conceded a goal in the final five minutes of the game. For us to be successful, we just can't have that.”
Streamwood has been very successful, following their long 2014 playoff run with a fast start this fall. The Sabres have three shutout wins sandwiched around a 3-2 loss to Wheeling.
The wins include 1-0 decisions over two common opponents with the Bison -- Lyons and New Trier.
“Some factors that have been helpful so far this season are our hard work and intense practices,” Streamwood coach Matt Polovin said. “I have a young group with 11 underclassmen, and they listen to direction very well. And we’ve seen the benefits of our practices roll over to games, especially the last two (Lyons and New Trier).
The list of Sabre standouts has been a long one.
“Definitely our starting keeper sophomore Daniel Dominguez, who has three shutouts already,” Polovin said. “His confidence has grown so much each game, and his back line has the same confidence in him which helps our team in a big way.
“Senior Donnie Sosa quickly has become a marked man up top, but knows it opens up opportunities for others to get open and find the net.”
Sophomore Aldo Lozaro and freshman Alex Chavez scored game-winning goals against Lyons and New Trier, respectively.
“Our midfield with seniors Edwin Rueda, Armondo Sanchez and freshman Bryan Mora have done a tremendous job being the catalysts of our possession style game,” Polovin said, “moving with the ball and especially without to receive the ball back and find an open man making diagonal runs in the other teams’ final third.
“Our defense has been very solid except for one half vs. Wheeling. Seniors Aaron Villegas, Erie Ortiz, and Luis Segura with sophomore Jair Zuniga have played very well shutting down very strong offensive threats from Lyons, New Trier and East Aurora.”
Buffalo Grove has had its own strong performers. The Bison have played well in every game but for the brief lapses.
“Colin Dekorsi has given us nice pace up front (two goals) with our other front-runner Colin Doyle,” Abel said. “Drew Brauner (one goal), Alex Alfaro, Hector Herrara and Alexis Alvarez have been solid for us in the midfield, as well as our defending group of Gorgis Yelda, Ryan Drum, Hans Haller, Brendon Carr and Tyler Nieman.”
Abel hopes his team is ready for the challenge that Streamwood will pose.
“Streamwood will be similar to Lyons: extremely technical, fast, athletic, and they will go at us,” Abel said. “They’ve had some great results in the tournament so far. Also having gone downstate last year, they know what big games are all about. They are a well-coached team and it will be another great test for us. We want to play these top teams, though, to see how we measure up.”
Two-time defending regional champion Buffalo Grove will test the Sabres as well.
“We know Buffalo Grove will be another very tough game,” Polovin said. “Buffalo Grove will come at us for sure. The guys will have to step it up another level and make sure mistakes are at a limit, or they could come back to haunt us with a team like Buffalo Grove.
“(Our players) know it's really early in the season,” Polovin added, “and we have a lot to work on and still learn each others’ traits on the field.”
Streamwood’s debut trip to the New Trier tournament has been a success – and the championship prize is within reach.
“I, as a coach, feel honored to be a part of the Northside College Showcase,” Polovin said. “I feel it's a great early season test with every team we play.
“Lyons, New Trier, and Buffalo Grove are great opponents, and the guys know they have to be on top of their game at all times. So far it's been a success, and we hope it continues Wednesday and ultimately Friday for the championship game.”