Improved Hinsdale C. ready for playoffs
By Dave Owen
What began as a season of hard knocks for Hinsdale Central has ended with a team that is hard to knock down.
Despite a having super young roster that includes even freshmen and 11 sophomores among its 23 players, the Red Devils maintained their traditional rugged schedule. And because of that they paid their dues.
A 2-14-3 regular season record has been the result. But a new level of team play that began in mid-April, now more resembles a team with a mark well over .500.
Those steps forward include a 3-1 West Suburban Conference Silver Division loss to top sectional seed Downers Grove North on April 18, then a penalty kick setback against Evanston.
In May, the Red Devils further emerged with a four-game unbeaten streak that culminated with an impressive 5-1 win over Oak Park and River Forest. The stretch was followed with competitive 2-1 losses to sectional WSC Silver champion Lyons (ranked 14th in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25), previously ranked Benet and a battle-tested conference foe in Glenbard West.
Now the 10th-seeded Red Devils (2-3-2 record in May) have a rematch with eighth-seeded Oak Park and River Forest in a regional semifinal on Tuesday at Lyons – but are keeping their recent brilliant match against the Huskies in perspective.
“I’m hoping we don’t come into it with the expectation that we’re going to win,” said Erin Otto, the Red Devils’ lone senior who had two goals in the win. “We need to come in like we did last Thursday (May 4) – we had a lot of energy, played hard and wanted to win that game. That’s what we need in that game (Tuesday) and throughout the playoffs.”
Determination and focus have been in high supply of late.
“Individually and collectively they’ve stepped up, and because of that the future’s bright,” Hinsdale Central coach Michael Smith said. “This group will have an advantage over other schools whose freshmen and sophomores aren’t getting this opportunity. That resilience and grit they’re showing has been fun to be a part of.
“It was great (against OPRF) to see all we’ve worked on come to fruition, especially against a tough opponent,” Smith added. “Since I’ve been head coach they’ve been one-goal games (against the Huskies). Hopefully this Tuesday we can continue with that success.”
The winner Tuesday advances to face Lyons in the regional final on Saturday.
While regionals are the first taste of postseason soccer for many Red Devils, it will be Smith’s finale. The coach of Hinsdale Central’s 2013 state runner-up squad and 2015 sectional champion, Smith has announced this is his last season at the helm.
“With three chidren under the age of five, I’m going to spend a lot more time with my family,” Smith said. “And I’m an assistant department chair at Hinsdale South now.
“What I’ll always remember about the season is that the girls never gave up. They’ve stayed the course, gone through challenges and never put their heads down and said ‘We can’t do this.’ They decided we’re going to do this together.”
Otto has had a major role in keeping optimism up.
“It was overwhelming in the beginning, but it’s been a really good learning experience,” said Otto, who will continue her soccer career at Carthage. “My role has probably been leading the team. My attitude and energy kind of rubs off on them (the younger players), so however I show up to each game and practice may be how they’re going to show up too. So it was important for me to realize the impact I can have on them.”
While an 0-11-1 start to the season could have generated panic, the Red Devils saw value in the brutal early challenges and persevered.
“We play a tough schedule,” Smith said. “We could have changed the schedule, but we told the girls ‘We’ve built a program that is recognized for the success we have on and off the field, and we’re not going to lower expectations.’”
The Red Devils have learned from the tests.
“Definitely starting off the season playing Naperville North, Barrington and those hard teams has helped us,” Otto said. “And everyone has started to buy into the program. We’ve been starting to play as a team more and trusting each other more on and off the field.”
Smith has huge trust in his senior captain, and the character and fight of his entire squad.
“A lot of it is freshmen and sophomores playing against juniors and seniors, so there’s a sharp learning curve,” Smith said. “The one thing I’ll say is, the girls haven’t given up. They’ve kept staying focused and have continued to want to grow, learn and improve. So as a teacher that’s what you want to see.
“And Erin Otto the lone senior captain has done a great job as the leader of the team of stepping up and giving the girls a sense of perspective. That’s been wonderful. As much as the coaches would like to instruct, it’s teenagers teaching teenagers where growth can really happen.”
With the chance to grow up quickly, several Red Devil underclassmen have stood out.
“(Forward) Haley Arnold is a freshman, and she’s been an impactful player from Day One,” Smith said. “She’s aggressive and a great teammate, willing to do the little things to allow the team to be successful.
“And Olivia Rayis at a center back was on our JV 1 team for I’d say the first quarter of the season. We needed a center back, gave her a chance and she blew us out of the water, a ‘How did we overlook her in the tryout process?’ (situation).
“She’s composed and plays well, and alongside her at center back a junior Rachel Dannhausen-Brun is playing a new position and has been steady and consistent all season,” Smith added.
“It’s good to see them stepping up and leading by example as well as vocally. And I can say a lot of positives about every girl on this team.”
Not since the 2014 Cubs of Major League Baseball has a young team been as dangerous and poised for future success. The Red Devils hope the future continues to arrive ahead of time, at the Lyons regional.
“It’s not how you start the race, it’s how you finish,” Smith said. “Especially with a young team with limited varsity experience. The girls are certainly starting to put things together. It’s pretty exciting.”
By Dave Owen
What began as a season of hard knocks for Hinsdale Central has ended with a team that is hard to knock down.
Despite a having super young roster that includes even freshmen and 11 sophomores among its 23 players, the Red Devils maintained their traditional rugged schedule. And because of that they paid their dues.
A 2-14-3 regular season record has been the result. But a new level of team play that began in mid-April, now more resembles a team with a mark well over .500.
Those steps forward include a 3-1 West Suburban Conference Silver Division loss to top sectional seed Downers Grove North on April 18, then a penalty kick setback against Evanston.
In May, the Red Devils further emerged with a four-game unbeaten streak that culminated with an impressive 5-1 win over Oak Park and River Forest. The stretch was followed with competitive 2-1 losses to sectional WSC Silver champion Lyons (ranked 14th in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25), previously ranked Benet and a battle-tested conference foe in Glenbard West.
Now the 10th-seeded Red Devils (2-3-2 record in May) have a rematch with eighth-seeded Oak Park and River Forest in a regional semifinal on Tuesday at Lyons – but are keeping their recent brilliant match against the Huskies in perspective.
“I’m hoping we don’t come into it with the expectation that we’re going to win,” said Erin Otto, the Red Devils’ lone senior who had two goals in the win. “We need to come in like we did last Thursday (May 4) – we had a lot of energy, played hard and wanted to win that game. That’s what we need in that game (Tuesday) and throughout the playoffs.”
Determination and focus have been in high supply of late.
“Individually and collectively they’ve stepped up, and because of that the future’s bright,” Hinsdale Central coach Michael Smith said. “This group will have an advantage over other schools whose freshmen and sophomores aren’t getting this opportunity. That resilience and grit they’re showing has been fun to be a part of.
“It was great (against OPRF) to see all we’ve worked on come to fruition, especially against a tough opponent,” Smith added. “Since I’ve been head coach they’ve been one-goal games (against the Huskies). Hopefully this Tuesday we can continue with that success.”
The winner Tuesday advances to face Lyons in the regional final on Saturday.
While regionals are the first taste of postseason soccer for many Red Devils, it will be Smith’s finale. The coach of Hinsdale Central’s 2013 state runner-up squad and 2015 sectional champion, Smith has announced this is his last season at the helm.
“With three chidren under the age of five, I’m going to spend a lot more time with my family,” Smith said. “And I’m an assistant department chair at Hinsdale South now.
“What I’ll always remember about the season is that the girls never gave up. They’ve stayed the course, gone through challenges and never put their heads down and said ‘We can’t do this.’ They decided we’re going to do this together.”
Otto has had a major role in keeping optimism up.
“It was overwhelming in the beginning, but it’s been a really good learning experience,” said Otto, who will continue her soccer career at Carthage. “My role has probably been leading the team. My attitude and energy kind of rubs off on them (the younger players), so however I show up to each game and practice may be how they’re going to show up too. So it was important for me to realize the impact I can have on them.”
While an 0-11-1 start to the season could have generated panic, the Red Devils saw value in the brutal early challenges and persevered.
“We play a tough schedule,” Smith said. “We could have changed the schedule, but we told the girls ‘We’ve built a program that is recognized for the success we have on and off the field, and we’re not going to lower expectations.’”
The Red Devils have learned from the tests.
“Definitely starting off the season playing Naperville North, Barrington and those hard teams has helped us,” Otto said. “And everyone has started to buy into the program. We’ve been starting to play as a team more and trusting each other more on and off the field.”
Smith has huge trust in his senior captain, and the character and fight of his entire squad.
“A lot of it is freshmen and sophomores playing against juniors and seniors, so there’s a sharp learning curve,” Smith said. “The one thing I’ll say is, the girls haven’t given up. They’ve kept staying focused and have continued to want to grow, learn and improve. So as a teacher that’s what you want to see.
“And Erin Otto the lone senior captain has done a great job as the leader of the team of stepping up and giving the girls a sense of perspective. That’s been wonderful. As much as the coaches would like to instruct, it’s teenagers teaching teenagers where growth can really happen.”
With the chance to grow up quickly, several Red Devil underclassmen have stood out.
“(Forward) Haley Arnold is a freshman, and she’s been an impactful player from Day One,” Smith said. “She’s aggressive and a great teammate, willing to do the little things to allow the team to be successful.
“And Olivia Rayis at a center back was on our JV 1 team for I’d say the first quarter of the season. We needed a center back, gave her a chance and she blew us out of the water, a ‘How did we overlook her in the tryout process?’ (situation).
“She’s composed and plays well, and alongside her at center back a junior Rachel Dannhausen-Brun is playing a new position and has been steady and consistent all season,” Smith added.
“It’s good to see them stepping up and leading by example as well as vocally. And I can say a lot of positives about every girl on this team.”
Not since the 2014 Cubs of Major League Baseball has a young team been as dangerous and poised for future success. The Red Devils hope the future continues to arrive ahead of time, at the Lyons regional.
“It’s not how you start the race, it’s how you finish,” Smith said. “Especially with a young team with limited varsity experience. The girls are certainly starting to put things together. It’s pretty exciting.”