Plainfield clash between North
and South pivotal in conference race
By Steve Nemeth
North versus South automatically conjures up rivalry and in the case of the Southwest Prairie Conference, it’s not an exception. However, it’s also not the rule.
Yes, Tuesday’s Plainfield South at Plainfield North match-up at 6:15 p.m. will undoubtedly affect the league standings, but so will games with the Plainfield programs at East and Central, which also have a hint of crosstown rivalry.
Despite South’s first SPC title last year, which came largely due to a 1-0 win over North, first-year Plainfield North coach Stephen Berry takes a alternative view.
“It’s no different to us than being the next game up,” he said. “Every conference match is important when you want to win a league title. Rosters change and previous-year results do not guarantee anything.”
That philosophy has enabled the Tigers to boast an 8-1-0 record and gain a no. 11 ranking in the latest Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 poll.
On the other side of the city, South’s reign as defending SPC champion has seen ups-and-downs that have produced a 3-3-1 record. Both sides enter the match at 1-0-0 in league play.
“This game is special to me and my teammates because it’s one we always mark on our calendars at the beginning of each year,” South senior Chase Cleasby said. “We know the game will be competitive, and North is always among the favorites to win conference.”
Being one of the few veterans back, Cleasby and his coach Dave Brown both envision the game as an opportunity to continue their unit’s progress.
“We’re starting to find our identity and learn what works," Brown said. "Each game we’ve become more comfortable as a team.
“As opposed to any one player standing out, it’s been success by committee. We’ve been competitive to easily turn a couple of the losses into wins. The issue has been some consistency from one half to another. We’ve been creating chances, but sometimes we make costly mistakes.”
Most recently Plainfield South followed up a 3-2 SPC win over Oswego East with a split in the Lincoln-Way North Invitation’s opening weekend, downing Lincoln-Way East (1-0) but coming up short against Marist (3-2).
“At 3-3-1, I believe we’re underestimated by some,” Cleasby said. “Many of our players are getting their first feel for varsity play, but we’ve used our outside wing and outside back players to create chances. Now we just need more consistency working the ball through midfield to become even better.”
Rey Uriostegui and Rocky Del Real are among the leaders for goals and assists, but as per the “by committee” method, others like Giaovanni Constantino have added to the attack. Cleasby has controlled the middle while Reid Childs, Juan Guzman and Dominik Christiansen have strengthened the defense in front of keeper Quentin Rose.
Plainfield North’s aggressive offense has outscored its foes 48-16 with seniors Austin Hansen and Austin Collier topping the charts with 16 and 13 goals, respectively. Collier is one of the seven players back from among 2014’s 22-member All-SPC list. Yet another senior, Alex Lynch, has been a key for the Tigers’ midfield while juniors Jake Farley and Adam Ratini have solidified the backline.
The lone setback for North came in game two of the Lemont Cup in a 2-1 loss to eventual champion and no. 4-ranked Downers Grove North. Since then the Tigers have strung together four-straight wins: victories in the Lemont Cup over fellow SPC foes Minooka and Plainfield East; its 2-1 league triumph over Plainfield Central; plus a 3-2 win at Joliet Central.
and South pivotal in conference race
By Steve Nemeth
North versus South automatically conjures up rivalry and in the case of the Southwest Prairie Conference, it’s not an exception. However, it’s also not the rule.
Yes, Tuesday’s Plainfield South at Plainfield North match-up at 6:15 p.m. will undoubtedly affect the league standings, but so will games with the Plainfield programs at East and Central, which also have a hint of crosstown rivalry.
Despite South’s first SPC title last year, which came largely due to a 1-0 win over North, first-year Plainfield North coach Stephen Berry takes a alternative view.
“It’s no different to us than being the next game up,” he said. “Every conference match is important when you want to win a league title. Rosters change and previous-year results do not guarantee anything.”
That philosophy has enabled the Tigers to boast an 8-1-0 record and gain a no. 11 ranking in the latest Chicagoland Soccer Top 25 poll.
On the other side of the city, South’s reign as defending SPC champion has seen ups-and-downs that have produced a 3-3-1 record. Both sides enter the match at 1-0-0 in league play.
“This game is special to me and my teammates because it’s one we always mark on our calendars at the beginning of each year,” South senior Chase Cleasby said. “We know the game will be competitive, and North is always among the favorites to win conference.”
Being one of the few veterans back, Cleasby and his coach Dave Brown both envision the game as an opportunity to continue their unit’s progress.
“We’re starting to find our identity and learn what works," Brown said. "Each game we’ve become more comfortable as a team.
“As opposed to any one player standing out, it’s been success by committee. We’ve been competitive to easily turn a couple of the losses into wins. The issue has been some consistency from one half to another. We’ve been creating chances, but sometimes we make costly mistakes.”
Most recently Plainfield South followed up a 3-2 SPC win over Oswego East with a split in the Lincoln-Way North Invitation’s opening weekend, downing Lincoln-Way East (1-0) but coming up short against Marist (3-2).
“At 3-3-1, I believe we’re underestimated by some,” Cleasby said. “Many of our players are getting their first feel for varsity play, but we’ve used our outside wing and outside back players to create chances. Now we just need more consistency working the ball through midfield to become even better.”
Rey Uriostegui and Rocky Del Real are among the leaders for goals and assists, but as per the “by committee” method, others like Giaovanni Constantino have added to the attack. Cleasby has controlled the middle while Reid Childs, Juan Guzman and Dominik Christiansen have strengthened the defense in front of keeper Quentin Rose.
Plainfield North’s aggressive offense has outscored its foes 48-16 with seniors Austin Hansen and Austin Collier topping the charts with 16 and 13 goals, respectively. Collier is one of the seven players back from among 2014’s 22-member All-SPC list. Yet another senior, Alex Lynch, has been a key for the Tigers’ midfield while juniors Jake Farley and Adam Ratini have solidified the backline.
The lone setback for North came in game two of the Lemont Cup in a 2-1 loss to eventual champion and no. 4-ranked Downers Grove North. Since then the Tigers have strung together four-straight wins: victories in the Lemont Cup over fellow SPC foes Minooka and Plainfield East; its 2-1 league triumph over Plainfield Central; plus a 3-2 win at Joliet Central.