Another game, another
high-quality opponent
Neuqua V., Naperville C. battle in yet another top-class match
By Dave Owen
When you’re already playing in the DuPage Valley Conference or Upstate Eight Conference, what’s one more challenge?
Facing endless elite competition in conference play and the upcoming Naperville Invitational, Neuqua Valley (6-1-2) and host Naperville Central (6-1-1) will square off at 5 p.m. Saturday in a nonconference matchup.
“Naperville Central is always a very good team,” Wildcats coach Joe Moreau said. “They have always been tough defensively and dangerous on set pieces.
“This year they are also scoring a lot (19 goals in the first eight games). It’s not just one player, they have spread the wealth with their goals. We’ll have to come out with the same kind of energy we showed on Tuesday night (a 1-1 tie with Waubonsie Valley).”
The Wildcats beat the Redhawks 3-1 in last year’s meeting at Neuqua Valley. Neuqua Valley also won the two teams’ regional final meeting in 2012 by that score after a 0-0 regular season draw that year.
“Neuqua is always a challenge,” Redhawks coach Ed Watson said. “Their roster is full of good players and Joe and (assistant coach) Sue (Soderberg) always have their girls prepared.”
Goalkeeper Hannah Parrish, defenders Dannah Williams and Sophia Moreau, and midfielders Kiley Czerwinski and Lauren Ciesla (sidelined the last week with an ankle injury) lead a strong senior nucleus for Neuqua Valley.
“Our nonconference schedule is as tough as any team's,” coach Moreau said. “We try to schedule strong teams throughout the season to prepare us for the state tournament. Next week does not get any easier with South Elgin and then the start of the Naperville Invite with Plainfield North and Conant.”
As both teams prepare for future challenges and the usual grueling far west suburban sectionals, Naperville Central also looks to continue to rebound from a 2-0 loss to St. Charles East on April 9.
“At this point in the year our focus is still on our progress,” Watson said. “We recognized that we had work to do after our loss to St. Charles East. They’re a very organized group that plays well together.”
The Redhawks are led by two excellent senior midfielders.
“Meredith Tunney continues to be our key player,” Watson said. “She controls the middle of the field for us. She has a fantastic work rate which allows her to play 80 minutes going from box to box.
“Alison Kincaide has moved inside and has partnered with Meredith to give us a very talented tandem in the middle of the field.”
Like Tunney and Kincaide, goalkeeper Abby Hershik, Kayla Rowan, Kathleen Conforti, Ryan Dudycha and Mackenzie Sisko are also in at least their third seasons on varsity.
Since their lone loss, the Redhawks have earned shutout wins over Schaumburg (2-0) and Mother McAuley (5-0 on Thursday) and also shown quality between and after the wins.
“I’ve liked how our girls have practiced this week,” Watson said. “We’ve focused on parts of our game that were exposed during the St. Charles East match. Just like school, we have practiced and now it’s time for the test. That test is Neuqua Valley.”
high-quality opponent
Neuqua V., Naperville C. battle in yet another top-class match
By Dave Owen
When you’re already playing in the DuPage Valley Conference or Upstate Eight Conference, what’s one more challenge?
Facing endless elite competition in conference play and the upcoming Naperville Invitational, Neuqua Valley (6-1-2) and host Naperville Central (6-1-1) will square off at 5 p.m. Saturday in a nonconference matchup.
“Naperville Central is always a very good team,” Wildcats coach Joe Moreau said. “They have always been tough defensively and dangerous on set pieces.
“This year they are also scoring a lot (19 goals in the first eight games). It’s not just one player, they have spread the wealth with their goals. We’ll have to come out with the same kind of energy we showed on Tuesday night (a 1-1 tie with Waubonsie Valley).”
The Wildcats beat the Redhawks 3-1 in last year’s meeting at Neuqua Valley. Neuqua Valley also won the two teams’ regional final meeting in 2012 by that score after a 0-0 regular season draw that year.
“Neuqua is always a challenge,” Redhawks coach Ed Watson said. “Their roster is full of good players and Joe and (assistant coach) Sue (Soderberg) always have their girls prepared.”
Goalkeeper Hannah Parrish, defenders Dannah Williams and Sophia Moreau, and midfielders Kiley Czerwinski and Lauren Ciesla (sidelined the last week with an ankle injury) lead a strong senior nucleus for Neuqua Valley.
“Our nonconference schedule is as tough as any team's,” coach Moreau said. “We try to schedule strong teams throughout the season to prepare us for the state tournament. Next week does not get any easier with South Elgin and then the start of the Naperville Invite with Plainfield North and Conant.”
As both teams prepare for future challenges and the usual grueling far west suburban sectionals, Naperville Central also looks to continue to rebound from a 2-0 loss to St. Charles East on April 9.
“At this point in the year our focus is still on our progress,” Watson said. “We recognized that we had work to do after our loss to St. Charles East. They’re a very organized group that plays well together.”
The Redhawks are led by two excellent senior midfielders.
“Meredith Tunney continues to be our key player,” Watson said. “She controls the middle of the field for us. She has a fantastic work rate which allows her to play 80 minutes going from box to box.
“Alison Kincaide has moved inside and has partnered with Meredith to give us a very talented tandem in the middle of the field.”
Like Tunney and Kincaide, goalkeeper Abby Hershik, Kayla Rowan, Kathleen Conforti, Ryan Dudycha and Mackenzie Sisko are also in at least their third seasons on varsity.
Since their lone loss, the Redhawks have earned shutout wins over Schaumburg (2-0) and Mother McAuley (5-0 on Thursday) and also shown quality between and after the wins.
“I’ve liked how our girls have practiced this week,” Watson said. “We’ve focused on parts of our game that were exposed during the St. Charles East match. Just like school, we have practiced and now it’s time for the test. That test is Neuqua Valley.”