DGN puts name in conversation, meets Lyons in WSC Silver 1st place showdown
By Dave Owen
Downers Grove North’s rapid rise in Illinois soccer circles has set up a collision course with a traditional West Suburban Conference Silver Division power.
Lyons (9-4-1, 4-0-0), ranked 22nd in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, has perennially been at or near the top of the conference for more than a decade, and has won 12 sectional titles in 20 years.
Now the surging no. 15 Trojans (11-1-2, 3-0-0) hope to add to their breakthrough 2017 with another big win when the teams meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Downers Grove North.
First-year Trojans coach Brian Papa is new to the western suburbs, but not to big games after a successful runs down south at Lincoln-Way and Lincln-Way East.
“They (DGN) haven’t beat Lyons in a while from what I’m hearing,” Papa said. “Lyons is a strong program, and they’ve always been a no. 1, 2 or 3 seed in the sectional.”
Now the Trojans are seeded first (to Lyons’ second) in upcoming sectionals, and can hike their confidence even more with a win Tuesday.
“When you think of this section, you think mainly of Hinsdale Central, Lyons and York,” Papa said. “You never hear Downers North. That’s been the way. I told the kids, ‘You’re showing people you can play and people are going to start talking about you in the same breath.’”
But Papa is also trying to keep things as low key as possible – especially with a possible sectional final rematch to come.
“Now for me, it’s another game,” he said. “For them I have to make sure they’re even keel.
“Do we want to win? Of course. It’s going to take a very good team to beat us. But if we lose against Lyons, we’ll try to figure out how to beat them if we see them again.”
Lions coach Bill Lanspeary hasn’t been surprised by the Trojans’ surge.
“Honestly, I haven’t seen them this year, but I know they’re very good,” Lanspeary said. “They’ve been tough the last few years and keep getting better.
“Knowing the players they had returning from last year (a 14-win team), we knew they would be one of the top teams in the conference.”
The Lions’ deep, disciplined and talented squad is no stranger to pressure matchups like Tuesday.
“We play a tough schedule every year with the thought that it prepares you to play tough teams in big matches,” Lanspeary said. “We’ve got players that have played in big games for us in the high school season, but they’ve also played a lot of big games in club as well.
“I think you stick to what you’ve done all season long and hope for your best effort.”
The Trojans are taking a similar focus.
“Lyons will be a big game,” DGN junior Abby Swanson said, “but we’ll prepare for it like every other game – we take every game seriously. We’re just going to come out strong, try to continue to play our game and just score some goals.”
Lanspeary sees several keys to success for his Lions team.
“For us it’s always about playing good, smart, team soccer,” Lanspeary said. “Communicate and work hard defensively, and make sure you finish your chances.”
Lanspeary has been pleased with the play of his starters anywhere on the field.
“I feel we are pretty solid across the board,” he said. “Our defense keeps getting stronger. Our forwards are dangerous, and our midfielders are very good possessing the ball and creating opportunities for us. It would be tough for me to pick out any individuals at this point in the season.”
With similar balance and a calm, one-day-at-a time approach, Downers North hopes to be primed for the WSC Silver match of the year.
“One of the things Abby said – you can see what I’m saying is starting to come home,” Papa said. “We’re focusing on the next game, and it just happens to be Lyons.
“We’re ready. We have one of our community soccer clubs coming in, there’ll be a lot of people here I hope, and hopefully the weather’s good.”
By Dave Owen
Downers Grove North’s rapid rise in Illinois soccer circles has set up a collision course with a traditional West Suburban Conference Silver Division power.
Lyons (9-4-1, 4-0-0), ranked 22nd in the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25, has perennially been at or near the top of the conference for more than a decade, and has won 12 sectional titles in 20 years.
Now the surging no. 15 Trojans (11-1-2, 3-0-0) hope to add to their breakthrough 2017 with another big win when the teams meet at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday at Downers Grove North.
First-year Trojans coach Brian Papa is new to the western suburbs, but not to big games after a successful runs down south at Lincoln-Way and Lincln-Way East.
“They (DGN) haven’t beat Lyons in a while from what I’m hearing,” Papa said. “Lyons is a strong program, and they’ve always been a no. 1, 2 or 3 seed in the sectional.”
Now the Trojans are seeded first (to Lyons’ second) in upcoming sectionals, and can hike their confidence even more with a win Tuesday.
“When you think of this section, you think mainly of Hinsdale Central, Lyons and York,” Papa said. “You never hear Downers North. That’s been the way. I told the kids, ‘You’re showing people you can play and people are going to start talking about you in the same breath.’”
But Papa is also trying to keep things as low key as possible – especially with a possible sectional final rematch to come.
“Now for me, it’s another game,” he said. “For them I have to make sure they’re even keel.
“Do we want to win? Of course. It’s going to take a very good team to beat us. But if we lose against Lyons, we’ll try to figure out how to beat them if we see them again.”
Lions coach Bill Lanspeary hasn’t been surprised by the Trojans’ surge.
“Honestly, I haven’t seen them this year, but I know they’re very good,” Lanspeary said. “They’ve been tough the last few years and keep getting better.
“Knowing the players they had returning from last year (a 14-win team), we knew they would be one of the top teams in the conference.”
The Lions’ deep, disciplined and talented squad is no stranger to pressure matchups like Tuesday.
“We play a tough schedule every year with the thought that it prepares you to play tough teams in big matches,” Lanspeary said. “We’ve got players that have played in big games for us in the high school season, but they’ve also played a lot of big games in club as well.
“I think you stick to what you’ve done all season long and hope for your best effort.”
The Trojans are taking a similar focus.
“Lyons will be a big game,” DGN junior Abby Swanson said, “but we’ll prepare for it like every other game – we take every game seriously. We’re just going to come out strong, try to continue to play our game and just score some goals.”
Lanspeary sees several keys to success for his Lions team.
“For us it’s always about playing good, smart, team soccer,” Lanspeary said. “Communicate and work hard defensively, and make sure you finish your chances.”
Lanspeary has been pleased with the play of his starters anywhere on the field.
“I feel we are pretty solid across the board,” he said. “Our defense keeps getting stronger. Our forwards are dangerous, and our midfielders are very good possessing the ball and creating opportunities for us. It would be tough for me to pick out any individuals at this point in the season.”
With similar balance and a calm, one-day-at-a time approach, Downers North hopes to be primed for the WSC Silver match of the year.
“One of the things Abby said – you can see what I’m saying is starting to come home,” Papa said. “We’re focusing on the next game, and it just happens to be Lyons.
“We’re ready. We have one of our community soccer clubs coming in, there’ll be a lot of people here I hope, and hopefully the weather’s good.”