Hersey, St. Ignatius seek win,
improvement in Red Devil Cup
By Dave Owen
Hersey is likely getting tired of wearing ties, while Saint Ignatius is already preparing for the wear and tear of the eventual state tournament.
The teams meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in Oak Brook in the second round of the Red Devil Cup.
The Huskies (0-0-2) have played both Waukegan and Geneva (1-1 Tuesday) to early season draws. But if a tie may appear uninspiring in the standings compared to a win, the ability of Hersey’s young lineup to hang in has been a big plus.
“We’ve only had two games and both were against solid experienced teams,” Hersey coach Darren Llewellyn said. “In both games we made some mistakes which they didn't capitalize on, so it could have ended in their favor but we also missed a couple wide open chances ourselves. In the end though the opponents (Waukegan and Geneva) had more chances then we did.
“There are times when we have four or five sophomores and even a freshman on the field, so we are young and not real big which has given the opponents the ability to run us off the ball. (Our players) have to get used to that, and play the ball more quickly and accurately so as to avoid the contact.”
Senior Brett Harris and sophomore Isaac Carvajal split time in goal against Geneva. The Huskies have just three seniors on their varsity roster. Christian Castro and Lucas Wilke are among the top returning juniors.
The Wolfpack (1-1-1) reached the Class 2A title game in 2013, then were eliminated in the regional semifinals of last year’s 3A tournament. This time, they’re building up for the big-school challenge with tournaments like the Red Devil Cup (which is hosted by defending Class 3A champ Hinsdale Central).
“Saint Ignatius has a boys population of roughly 700 and the IHSA multiplier forces us to compete with much larger 3A schools,” Wolfpack coach Ryan Kearns said. “I decided to embrace that rather than fight it, and I scheduled quality 3A opponents this season.”
Unbeaten going into Tuesday, the Wolfpack suffered a 5-0 loss to powerful Morton. Kearns hopes his team is up for its next challenge Thursday.
“Although Hersey is much smaller than Morton they still draw from a talented, larger group, and I expect them to give us a competitive game,” Kearns said. “The key to any soccer match is possession and finishing. The team that can achieve that on Thursday will go home with the win.”
Llewellyn has precise goals for Thursday and beyond.
“We’re going to be looking to move the ball more quickly in the upcoming games,” he said, “to create the runs that will generate goals. Defensively we have to more aware of marking and team shape in the defensive third.
“I’m hoping to have a better showing in defensive organization and transition from the back forward with greater numbers. We have yet to find our identity, and hopefully this tournament will solidify our primary formation and rotations.”
Kearns is pleased with the look of his Wolfpack roster, which includes top 2014 contributors. Co-captains Ian Waller and Conner Hatzopoulos will lead experienced returnees Ethan McManus, Chauncey Flowers, Lucas Kotlowicz, Max Taylor, Alex Collins and goalkeeper Bryant Hales.
“This team is deep,” Kearns said. “We have a lot of solid talent. Our struggles can be found in the final third and within individual confidence.
“We've played three competitive teams in Lemont, Whitney Young and Morton and all three matches have challenged us. We pulled out a last minute (1-0) win over Lemont, but struggled to score at home against Young (a 0-0 tie). We overthought the Morton game and they beat us physically and mentally.
“It's critical we rebound against Hersey and begin to build some confidence, both behind the ball and in finishing,” Kearns added. “I'm glad we're struggling early, as it allows us time to learn and recover.”
The tournament has positioned both teams well for impending conference play.
“The Red Devil Cup always brings us opponents who play a variety of styles,” Llewellyn said. “(Geneva) was fast, strong, and played a direct game against us. I believe Morton (on Saturday) will still be the fast-paced possession game.
“All of them play physically, which is what we will face in the MSL (Mid-Suburban League). It's a good foundation for the youth to get a feel for playing young men who are more physically developed.”
With shares of Chicago Catholic League titles in two of the last three years, the Wolfpack has similar confidence in the long-term benefits of the Red Devil Cup tests.
“These early challenging matches will be key to our success in CCL play,” Kearns said. “We’re looking to win it outright in 2015.
“We plan on absorbing all we can over the next three matches to prepare for Fenwick. Every day we make improvements. I wouldn't want to compete against us come time for CCL play.”
improvement in Red Devil Cup
By Dave Owen
Hersey is likely getting tired of wearing ties, while Saint Ignatius is already preparing for the wear and tear of the eventual state tournament.
The teams meet at 7 p.m. Thursday in Oak Brook in the second round of the Red Devil Cup.
The Huskies (0-0-2) have played both Waukegan and Geneva (1-1 Tuesday) to early season draws. But if a tie may appear uninspiring in the standings compared to a win, the ability of Hersey’s young lineup to hang in has been a big plus.
“We’ve only had two games and both were against solid experienced teams,” Hersey coach Darren Llewellyn said. “In both games we made some mistakes which they didn't capitalize on, so it could have ended in their favor but we also missed a couple wide open chances ourselves. In the end though the opponents (Waukegan and Geneva) had more chances then we did.
“There are times when we have four or five sophomores and even a freshman on the field, so we are young and not real big which has given the opponents the ability to run us off the ball. (Our players) have to get used to that, and play the ball more quickly and accurately so as to avoid the contact.”
Senior Brett Harris and sophomore Isaac Carvajal split time in goal against Geneva. The Huskies have just three seniors on their varsity roster. Christian Castro and Lucas Wilke are among the top returning juniors.
The Wolfpack (1-1-1) reached the Class 2A title game in 2013, then were eliminated in the regional semifinals of last year’s 3A tournament. This time, they’re building up for the big-school challenge with tournaments like the Red Devil Cup (which is hosted by defending Class 3A champ Hinsdale Central).
“Saint Ignatius has a boys population of roughly 700 and the IHSA multiplier forces us to compete with much larger 3A schools,” Wolfpack coach Ryan Kearns said. “I decided to embrace that rather than fight it, and I scheduled quality 3A opponents this season.”
Unbeaten going into Tuesday, the Wolfpack suffered a 5-0 loss to powerful Morton. Kearns hopes his team is up for its next challenge Thursday.
“Although Hersey is much smaller than Morton they still draw from a talented, larger group, and I expect them to give us a competitive game,” Kearns said. “The key to any soccer match is possession and finishing. The team that can achieve that on Thursday will go home with the win.”
Llewellyn has precise goals for Thursday and beyond.
“We’re going to be looking to move the ball more quickly in the upcoming games,” he said, “to create the runs that will generate goals. Defensively we have to more aware of marking and team shape in the defensive third.
“I’m hoping to have a better showing in defensive organization and transition from the back forward with greater numbers. We have yet to find our identity, and hopefully this tournament will solidify our primary formation and rotations.”
Kearns is pleased with the look of his Wolfpack roster, which includes top 2014 contributors. Co-captains Ian Waller and Conner Hatzopoulos will lead experienced returnees Ethan McManus, Chauncey Flowers, Lucas Kotlowicz, Max Taylor, Alex Collins and goalkeeper Bryant Hales.
“This team is deep,” Kearns said. “We have a lot of solid talent. Our struggles can be found in the final third and within individual confidence.
“We've played three competitive teams in Lemont, Whitney Young and Morton and all three matches have challenged us. We pulled out a last minute (1-0) win over Lemont, but struggled to score at home against Young (a 0-0 tie). We overthought the Morton game and they beat us physically and mentally.
“It's critical we rebound against Hersey and begin to build some confidence, both behind the ball and in finishing,” Kearns added. “I'm glad we're struggling early, as it allows us time to learn and recover.”
The tournament has positioned both teams well for impending conference play.
“The Red Devil Cup always brings us opponents who play a variety of styles,” Llewellyn said. “(Geneva) was fast, strong, and played a direct game against us. I believe Morton (on Saturday) will still be the fast-paced possession game.
“All of them play physically, which is what we will face in the MSL (Mid-Suburban League). It's a good foundation for the youth to get a feel for playing young men who are more physically developed.”
With shares of Chicago Catholic League titles in two of the last three years, the Wolfpack has similar confidence in the long-term benefits of the Red Devil Cup tests.
“These early challenging matches will be key to our success in CCL play,” Kearns said. “We’re looking to win it outright in 2015.
“We plan on absorbing all we can over the next three matches to prepare for Fenwick. Every day we make improvements. I wouldn't want to compete against us come time for CCL play.”