Stars, Saints simply seeking success
By Steve Nemeth
Neither St. Charles East or St. Charles North team is ignoring the rivalry aspect of their 6:30 p.m. Tuesday clash in the Upstate Eight Conference River Division, it’s simply faded into the background of a bigger picture.
Both teams have put together successful streaks and their no. 1 goal is adding to that string.
‘We’ve had three great games in a row and we simply want another one,” East coach Paul Jennison explained. “Some people try to make more of a rivalry game but in the long run, it’s always one component in a year full of games that can be home or away, part of a tournament, conference or nonconference, all leading into the play-offs.”
With a largely new cast, the Saints endured some growing pains but now boast a three-game win streak heading into Tuesday’s visit to North. No wonder East puts its emphasis on that as opposed to a 4-3-2 overall record (2-0-0 in conference). It’s also why the Saints are listed among those to “Look Out For” in the honorable mention section of the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25.
The no. 19 North Stars (7-3-2, 1-0-0) have lost only once within their last six games.
"A big part of our success has been taking games one at a time,” North’s Alex Amro said. “Sure, we’ve all visualized winning some hardware at the end of the season, but we ultimately focus on what’s right in front of us, and that’s East on Tuesday.”
A win keeps the victor in a stronger position for pursuing the conference title. Each team still must face another area rival in Geneva as well as a Streamwood program that finished fourth in Class 3A last year.
That “next hurdle” strategy is how both programs enjoyed winning records in 2014 (11-6-5 for North and 15-3-3 for the Saints) prior to succombing to upsets in regional title matches.
“Only one thing can be guaranteed for us this season and that’s our effort on the field,” Amro said. “Every guy out there, no matter who we play, gives their all and that’s what makes me believe that we’ll have a very successful season.”
North opened UEC River play with a notable 2-0 road victory over an Elgin team that has been one of the surprises of 2015. After a 1-1 crossover draw with West Chicago, the North Stars enjoyed shutout victories in three-of-four matches in the 2015 PepsiCo Showdown. The lone loss was a 3-1 quarterfinal setback against no. 7-ranked Lyons.
East’s trio of victories have also been consecutive shutouts for junior keeper Steven Owens and his defensive mates. Mitchell Dorsey and Jasminko Dizdarevic have provided the game-winners for the last three outings.
“It’s not so much being better in any third of the field as much as we’ve become solid from front to back,” Jennison said. “In comparison to the past, this year really has been a new roster and the beauty of a new group is that having expectations, the guys have formed their roles. We’ve continued to refine who the best 11 are on a consistent basis.”
Even if the past is just so much history and the rivalry isn’t as prominent, the Saints have enjoyed the upper hand most recently. In addition to last year’s 2-0 home win, East owns five straight triumphs including regular season and regional victories over North in 2013 and 2012. The North Stars were the hosts for a 2-0 conquest in 2011.
“There’s always going to be that extra rush a team gets when playing a rival, but the fact we’re on home turf and primarily striving to win every game we play is simply why we’ll be coming out with more than just an extra rush,” Amro said.
Jennison acknowledges that emotions can be a factor, but doesn’t believe it’ll be the deciding factor.
“The team that is most disciplined and finds the way to put quality soccer in front of emotions should come out ahead,” he said.
By Steve Nemeth
Neither St. Charles East or St. Charles North team is ignoring the rivalry aspect of their 6:30 p.m. Tuesday clash in the Upstate Eight Conference River Division, it’s simply faded into the background of a bigger picture.
Both teams have put together successful streaks and their no. 1 goal is adding to that string.
‘We’ve had three great games in a row and we simply want another one,” East coach Paul Jennison explained. “Some people try to make more of a rivalry game but in the long run, it’s always one component in a year full of games that can be home or away, part of a tournament, conference or nonconference, all leading into the play-offs.”
With a largely new cast, the Saints endured some growing pains but now boast a three-game win streak heading into Tuesday’s visit to North. No wonder East puts its emphasis on that as opposed to a 4-3-2 overall record (2-0-0 in conference). It’s also why the Saints are listed among those to “Look Out For” in the honorable mention section of the Chicagoland Soccer Top 25.
The no. 19 North Stars (7-3-2, 1-0-0) have lost only once within their last six games.
"A big part of our success has been taking games one at a time,” North’s Alex Amro said. “Sure, we’ve all visualized winning some hardware at the end of the season, but we ultimately focus on what’s right in front of us, and that’s East on Tuesday.”
A win keeps the victor in a stronger position for pursuing the conference title. Each team still must face another area rival in Geneva as well as a Streamwood program that finished fourth in Class 3A last year.
That “next hurdle” strategy is how both programs enjoyed winning records in 2014 (11-6-5 for North and 15-3-3 for the Saints) prior to succombing to upsets in regional title matches.
“Only one thing can be guaranteed for us this season and that’s our effort on the field,” Amro said. “Every guy out there, no matter who we play, gives their all and that’s what makes me believe that we’ll have a very successful season.”
North opened UEC River play with a notable 2-0 road victory over an Elgin team that has been one of the surprises of 2015. After a 1-1 crossover draw with West Chicago, the North Stars enjoyed shutout victories in three-of-four matches in the 2015 PepsiCo Showdown. The lone loss was a 3-1 quarterfinal setback against no. 7-ranked Lyons.
East’s trio of victories have also been consecutive shutouts for junior keeper Steven Owens and his defensive mates. Mitchell Dorsey and Jasminko Dizdarevic have provided the game-winners for the last three outings.
“It’s not so much being better in any third of the field as much as we’ve become solid from front to back,” Jennison said. “In comparison to the past, this year really has been a new roster and the beauty of a new group is that having expectations, the guys have formed their roles. We’ve continued to refine who the best 11 are on a consistent basis.”
Even if the past is just so much history and the rivalry isn’t as prominent, the Saints have enjoyed the upper hand most recently. In addition to last year’s 2-0 home win, East owns five straight triumphs including regular season and regional victories over North in 2013 and 2012. The North Stars were the hosts for a 2-0 conquest in 2011.
“There’s always going to be that extra rush a team gets when playing a rival, but the fact we’re on home turf and primarily striving to win every game we play is simply why we’ll be coming out with more than just an extra rush,” Amro said.
Jennison acknowledges that emotions can be a factor, but doesn’t believe it’ll be the deciding factor.
“The team that is most disciplined and finds the way to put quality soccer in front of emotions should come out ahead,” he said.